Fighters competing tonight at UFC 324 will be the first to benefit from huge and long-overdue increases the UFC is making to post-fight bonuses.
The amount of money UFC fighters get in bonuses from creating highlight reel moments has been a topic of debate for years. With the company growing its brand and revenue all the time, increasing the payouts for memorable moments seemed fair. Yet, for more than a decade, the promotion has capped bonuses for Fight of the Night and other standout finishes to just $50,000.
Well, that is finally changing tonight at UFC 324. According to Sports Business Journal, the company will double the fight bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000. Furthermore, the UFC has also created an added incentive for its competitors to finish a bout.
Those who get a finish but aren’t selected for the $100,000 bonus will still make an extra $25,000 for their highlight reel moment.
UFC increasing fight bonuses is cheaper than boosting fighter pay
UFC CEO Dana White suggested last year, after the promotion agreed to a new media rights deal with Paramount, that fight bonuses would increase in 2026. The company’s deal with Paramount is for seven years and $7.7 billion. So they are making more than enough to boost bonuses for great performances.
Furthermore, it is a cheaper route for the UFC to go. Even before the debate of increasing fight bonuses, analysts and fans have wanted to see fighters get far bigger paydays per bout. However, the company has resisted sizable pay bumps and keeps payouts within a range they are comfortable with for their bottom line.
Boosting fight bonuses is a more affordable way to give fighters more money, without contractual guarantees. It also incentivizes more violent and crowd-pleasing bouts.
