SUMMARY
- Dana White doesn't intend on increasing Fight of the Night bonuses anymore.
- Fans believe a $50,000 base value is completely unacceptable.
Lately, the UFC has been handing over massive Fight of the Night bonuses to stars on various cards. Recently, several fighters and fight fans have pressured Dana White into doubling Fight of the Night bonuses. We had the UFC president hand out a base bonus of $300,000 during UFC 300.
During UFC 303, White was once again asked to raise the bonus to a whopping $303,000 upon Brian Ortega’s request during the press conference. White settled to hand two extra bonuses. And recently, Bobby “King” Green convinced Dana to raise the bonuses to $100,000 each. But the 55-year-old promoter claimed it was the last time he’d ever raise the numbers.
Fans cannot come to terms with Dana White’s decision
Following UFC 304, Dana White claimed that he would never increase the bonus amount that was supposed to be given. He believes it didn’t make anybody fight harder during the latest fight night either. The base value of these Fight of the Night bonuses is $50,000. Based on a fighter’s performance, White tends to double it. However, fans believe that the original amount isn’t justified for what fighters do for these events.
Fight bonuses have been $50k for a decade
They were $50k BEFORE the UFC sold for $4 billion
They’re still $50k AFTER the company’s valued at $12 billionIf you actually think the bonuses should stay at $50k because Dana White booked fighters to fight at 5am
You’re a fuckin idiot https://t.co/yQw6u8u6Mq— DJ MurkCity (@myrksitymma) July 28, 2024
Always need an excuse to pay fighters poorly. It just so happens that this fight card is the current excuse
— Emotional Support Cat (@NathanHam87) July 28, 2024
There shouldn’t be bonuses to begin with, they should be paid their worth and that’s it.
— Io (@ringsofsuture) July 28, 2024
The fights would have been shit no matter the time. Just like at 302,301 and 303.
— Brandon (@Edwrds21) July 28, 2024
One fan said, “If you actually think the bonuses should stay at $50k because Dana White booked fighters to fight at 5 am, you’re a f**kin idiot.” Another fan chimed in and said, “Always need an excuse to pay fighters poorly. It just so happens that this fight card is the current excuse.” White isn’t entirely opposed to paying his fighters, but he doesn’t believe that the $50,000 base should increase.
Multiple UFC fighters have pushed for better pay
A couple of fighters have argued about being paid far less than they’re worth. Over the years, we’ve had fighters like Nick and Nate Diaz complain about their paychecks. Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also believes fighters should be paid more not just because they put their bodies on the line, but also because they put themselves in such dangerous situations to feed their families.
Francis Ngannou has to be one of the greatest Champions we’ve ever seen come out of Combat Sports
The wisdom this man naturally provides is my favorite quality of his pic.twitter.com/gP8rxdDlAs
— DJ MurkCity (@myrksitymma) July 29, 2024
Other fighters like Jorge Masvidal, Paulo Costa, and even Demetrious Johnson have also spoken out against the UFC’s tendency to underpay. While the average paycheck in the UFC is around $60,000, fighters are offered a bigger pay in case of a win and via sponsorships.