UFC Announces New Bonus Payout Structure Ahead of Debut Card on Paramount

Ahead of the first event as part of its $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount, UFC has announced a new bonus payout structure for fighters.

UFC president Dana White told Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal that the total bonus pool will go from the traditional $200,000 to at least $400,000 per event.

The biggest payouts will be $100,000 each for the two fighters who participate in the fight of the night and the two fighters who give the best individual performances.

Fight of the night and individual performance bonuses are determined by UFC executives.

Under the previous structure, typically four $50,000 bonuses were given out to the two participants in the fight of the night and two to the best individual performances.

UFC would occasionally give out additional bonuses or increase the payout of bonuses, depending on the strength of the show and/or individual fighter performances.

White also revealed the promotion is adding a new $25,000 bonus to any fighter who records a finish (knockout/TKO/submission) but doesn't win either the fight of the night or performance of the night bonus.

The $1.1 billion average annual deal with Paramount represents a significant increase from UFC's previous media rights agreement. ESPN was paying $300 million annually when the five-year deal was originally signed in May 2018.

As part of the Paramount deal, UFC is doing away with traditional pay-per-view and will stream a majority of its events on Paramount Plus. Select events will also be simulcast on CBS.

Saturday's UFC 324 event will mark the first show under the Paramount deal. Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship is the main event.

The preliminary card will begin at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 9 p.m. ET.