Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett could be set to receive more pay than usual for his interim UFC lightweight title bout against Justin Gaethje due to a little-known contract stipulation.
Pimblett, who has won all seven of his UFC bouts, will face veteran Gaethje at UFC 324 with the interim lightweight strap on the line while undisputed champion Ilia Topuria deals with issues away from the Octagon.
Both fighters are more than capable of finishing the bout early, which in turn would mean they pocket a hefty $50,000 bonus. A $50,000 fight of the night bonus will also be on the line.
So, a fighter who knocks someone out in an entertaining fight could bump their purse up by $100,000.
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But both fighters could also receive an ‘extra’ amount in their pay cheque, which UFC fans may not be aware of.
In a recent interview on the Michael Bisping Podcast, commentator and former UFC star Paul Felder revealed that fighters get an added $25,000 for five-round bouts.
Of course, championship bouts can run for five five-minute rounds while non-title fights are scheduled for three.
Felder revealed that he received the five-round bonus twice for headlining cards during his career.
"For five rounds, it’s usually the main event," Felder said.
"So whenever the two times I fought the main event, it was $25,000 at least extra just off the bat because you’re fighting two extra rounds. But those were main events.
“But I assume even if it’s not the main event and you’re asking for five rounds, you’re probably going to also say, ‘Well, hey, how about giving me that bump in pay?'
“… So I would think that would be even for non-title fights and non-main events.”
Fighter pay has been a topic of debate in relation to the UFC for some time, with some suggesting that fighters are underpaid compared to their combat sports counterparts in boxing.
In Friday’s (January 23) press conference, Gaethje claimed he is not getting paid “$1 more” than he would’ve before the UFC’s $7.7bn deal with Paramount+.
UFC 324 is the first event of the partnership.
“I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card," said the lightweight.
"I’m not getting $1 more than I would have if this deal did not happen."
'The Highlight' then claimed: "To have 14 bonuses and not equal up to $1m is not right. It’s not right.
“It should be a lot more than that, and I should have had opportunities to do smarter things with my money, but I don’t and I haven’t.”
Topics: UFC, Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, MMA
Luke Davies