UFC 208 performance bonuses and highlights

Fighters in the UFC can get paid several ways:
•There is generally a paid a fixed amount to show and another generally equal amount to win. This sum is usually made public, although it depends on the governing rules of the commission;
•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;
•The most elite fighters get points on the pay per view; and
•Four discretionary $50,000 performance bonuses are given at each event.

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” is a phrase for fights that made you say “HOLY F@#$ING $#!@.” Unfortunately, UFC 208 was free of moments that made you leap from your seat screaming HOLY F@$%ING $#!@.

One of the primary differences between the UFC model and the boxing model is the depth of the card. Sometimes the best fights are all the way down on the UFC Fight Pass prelims. UFC 208 was an exception, in more ways than one. Only one Performance of the Night bonus was awarded, to the only fight that went the distance.

Fight of the Night $50,000 bonuses
Dustin Poirier defeated Jim Miller by Majority Decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Performance of the Night $50,000 bonus
Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza defeated Tim Boetsch by Submission (Kimura, Round 1, 3:41)

Performance of the Night $50,000 bonus
Not awarded, as there was only one finish on the card. Some fans complained that the event’s highlight was …

The next UFC event is UFC Fight Night 105: Lewis vs. Browne on February 19, 2017, at Scotiabank Centre, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.