Ryan Gandra heads into Saturday’s UFC 331 fight with Ozzy Diaz in Los Angeles looking for more than another win. The Brazilian middleweight prospect said he is chasing a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus, a reward he believes could make a real difference in how he prepares.
Gandra has already built strong momentum in the UFC. He earned his contract in 2025 by stopping Trent Miller in the first round of Dana White's Contender Series, then followed that with two quick finishes inside the Octagon. At UFC Fight Night 268, he knocked out Jose Medina in 41 seconds, and at UFC 329 he stopped Zachary Reese in just over a minute.
Those results show why Gandra is getting attention. He has won two UFC fights by first-round TKO and is now riding a nine-fight winning streak overall. But even with those fast finishes, the bonus has stayed out of reach.
Why the bonus matters to Gandra
Gandra said he came close twice already, but this time he wants to finish the job. He explained that the money would do more than pad his bank account. It would help him bring in training partners, cover accommodation for athletes who can make him better, and give him more peace of mind throughout the year.
“I really want it,” Gandra said, adding that athletes need money because it brings comfort and helps improve performance. He said the bonus would give him “an improvement and peace of mind for a whole year,” and made it clear the goal is to leave UFC 331 with the extra payout.
That adds a practical layer to the fight with Ozzy Diaz. Diaz is coming off a TKO loss to Ateba Abega Gautier in May, while Gandra arrives with the kind of finishing streak that can turn a strong prospect into a bigger name quickly. For Gandra, another dominant performance could mean more than another line on his record. It could also bring the financial support he says he needs to keep raising his level.
