UFC 205 performance bonuses and highlights

Fighters in the UFC are compensated by the league via several means. There is the contracted amount to show and to win, plus Reebok money, and in addition sometimes fighters get locker room bonuses of varying amounts that despite their name actually come in the mail. For the most elite fighters, there is a cut of the PPV that can run into millions.

Further, four $50,000 performance bonuses are given at each event.

The locker room bonuses are informal, and not public. The cut of the PPV, if any, is likewise private, although details have been made public via court cases more than once. Most athletic commissions make public the show and win money, usually early in the following week, delaying reporting.

However, the four $50,000 performance bonuses are publicly announced at the post-fight press conference.

$50,000 Fight of the Night
Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson declared a Majority Draw (47-47, 47-47, 48-47)

$50,000 Performance of the Night
Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez by TKO (Strikes, Round 2, 3:04)

$50,000 Performance of the Night
Yoel Romero defeated Chris Weidman by TKO (Strikes, Round 3, 0:24)

Performance bonuses often do not go to the most elite fighters, but at UFC 205, the greatest card in MMA history, every fighter with a bonus was in or is about to be in a title fight.