UFC Doubles Post-Fight Bonuses to $100K, Adds New Finish Bonus
The UFC is set to implement significant changes to its post-fight bonus structure, increasing the bonuses to $100,000 starting with UFC 324. This change follows the promotion’s lucrative new broadcasting agreement which is worth $7.7 billion over seven years.
New Financial Agreement Benefits Fighters
The UFC’s recent deal with Paramount marks a shift from the previous arrangement with ESPN. The new contract is approximately double the value of the former agreement, which suggests increased revenue for the promotion. As a direct result, UFC CEO Dana White announced this financial boon will also benefit fighters through enhanced post-fight bonuses.
Details of the Bonus Structure
- Post-fight bonuses will rise from $50,000 to $100,000 beginning with UFC 324.
- Each event will allocate at least $400,000 in bonuses, awarded under the following categories:
- Two Performance of the Night awards.
- One Fight of the Night award.
- A new bonus of $25,000 will be introduced for fighters who finish their opponents via knockout or submission but are not awarded a Performance or Fight of the Night bonus.
Anticipated Increase in Fighter Compensation
This restructuring aims to enhance the financial well-being of UFC fighters. Dana White has indicated that fighter pay may also increase as a result of the new deal with Paramount. However, the UFC has not publicly disclosed specific figures related to these changes outside of state athletic commission reports.
Previous Broadcasting Arrangement
Under the UFC’s former deal with ESPN, events like UFC 324 were subjected to an additional pay-per-view charge, typically costing viewers $79.99. In contrast, the new Paramount deal provides all UFC events on its streaming platform, Paramount+, at no additional cost to subscribers.
The announcement of the increased bonuses came unexpectedly. White had stated just days before UFC 324 that he was unsure of the bonus amounts. The swift change in announced figures demonstrates the UFC’s commitment to rewarding its athletes in light of the new broadcasting revenue.
This increase in post-fight bonuses is part of the UFC’s strategy to enrich its fighters amid a growing revenue landscape, promising an exciting future for both the promotion and its athletes.
