In addition to being paid a fixed amount to show and another, usually equal amount to win, each UFC event also awards four $50,000 Performance Bonuses. Usually, there is a Fight of the Night in which both fighters are given a performance bonus, and a performance bonus to the winner in two fights. “Performance Bonus” means the fight made you say “HOLY F@$%ING $#!@.”
One of the primary differences between the UFC model and the boxing model is the depth of the card. Sometimes the greatest fight isn’t the main event, or close to it. However, UFC Fight Night 139 was the exception that proves the rule – all four performance bonuses went to the main and co-main.
$50,000 Performance of the Night:
•Donald Cerrone defeated Mike Perry by Submission (Armbar, Round 1, 4:46)
$50,000 Performance of the Night
•Yair Rodriguez defeated Chan Sung Jung by KO (Elbow, Round 5, 4:59)
$50,000 Fight of the Night:
•Yair Rodriguez defeated Chan Sung Jung by KO (Elbow, Round 5, 4:59)
In addition, to the bonuses and purses, there is:
•Reebok pay, based on tenure, for wearing the distinctive apparel during fight week and in the Octagon;
•Sometimes fighters get discretionary locker room bonuses of varying amounts; despite their name, locker room bonuses actually come in the mail now;
•In some cases there is an LOA [Letter of Agreement] on the contract for additional income; and,
•The most elite fighters get points on the pay per view.
The next league event is UFC Fight Night 140: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio on November 17, at Estadio Mary Teran de Weiss in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
