UFC Boosts Fight Night Bonuses, Adds Finish Incentive
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced significant changes to its fight night bonus structure, set to take effect at UFC 324. This event will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.
New Bonus Structure Details
The UFC will double its traditional fight night bonuses. Previously, the organization awarded four bonuses of $50,000 each during every event. This included:
- Two bonuses for top performers
- One bonus for the “fight of the night”
Under the new system, these bonuses will increase to $100,000 each. Furthermore, the UFC will introduce an additional $25,000 bonus for any athlete who secures a finish in their bout but does not win one of the top bonuses.
Background on Bonus Increases
UFC CEO Dana White hinted at these enhancements following the signing of a lucrative seven-year broadcast deal with Paramount Skydance Corp., valued at $7.7 billion. White made the announcement regarding the adjusted bonuses in an interview with Sports Business Journal.
It’s worth noting that the UFC can award more than four bonuses during an event based on the quality of the fights. Additionally, there have been occasions where the bonuses were temporarily increased, as was the case for UFC 300 in April 2024, where they reached $300,000 each.
Highlighting UFC 324
UFC 324 will feature Justin Gaethje in the main event. Gaethje is an established performer in the UFC, holding an impressive record of 14 fight night bonuses. The all-time record is 21 bonuses, maintained by former champion Charles Oliveira.
With these changes, the UFC aims to further enhance the excitement of fights and reward its athletes for outstanding performances inside the Octagon.
