Last Updated on February 17, 2026 by Pragjyoti Singh
The UFC’s decision to double its post-fight bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000 couldn’t have come at a better time for Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje, who is set to headline UFC 324 against Paddy Pimblett, had recently made his frustration public regarding fighter pay—specifically pointing to the UFC’s new Paramount deal and questioning why fighters weren’t seeing a bigger financial bump. His comments sparked a brief back-and-forth with Daniel Cormier, who had previously suggested that the Paramount deal would lead to increased earnings for fighters across the board.
During the UFC 324 media day, Gaethje said, “I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card. I’m not getting one dollar more than I would have if this deal did not happen.”
Just days after Gaethje voiced those concerns, UFC President Dana White announced a major update to the promotion’s bonus structure.
Dana White doubles fight bonus before UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
Speaking to Sports Business Journal, White confirmed that starting at UFC 324, the UFC will increase performance bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000. In addition, the promotion is introducing new incentives for fighters who score finishes but don’t end up winning one of the main bonuses.
Previously, the UFC handed out $200,000 in bonuses per event—$50,000 each to the two fighters involved in Fight of the Night, along with $50,000 each for two Performance of the Night winners. With the new structure in place, the UFC will now be paying out at least $400,000 per card, with the potential for even higher totals depending on finishes.
For Gaethje, this change presents a massive opportunity. Known for consistently delivering action-packed fights, he has earned a bonus in every UFC appearance of his career. The American currently holds nine Fight of the Night bonuses and five Performance of the Night awards. One of those standout performances came at UFC 300 against Max Holloway, where he reportedly earned $300,000 in bonuses.
In total, Gaethje has already collected $950,000 in UFC bonuses—putting him within striking distance of surpassing the $1 million mark, a milestone only former UFC champ Charles Oliveira holds.
With most UFC cards featuring multiple finishes, it’s not unrealistic to expect the promotion to pay out over half a million dollars—or more—in bonuses at some events going forward.
The increase in performance bonuses follows the UFC’s major shift in media rights, as the promotion moved from ESPN to Paramount in a deal that nearly doubled its average annual broadcast revenue. Under the agreement, Paramount will pay the UFC approximately $1.1 billion through 2031. The partnership officially kicked off on Friday night, with TKO Group Holdings staging its first combat sports event on Paramount—Zuffa Boxing’s debut card at the UFC Apex.
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