There are several ways to get paid in the UFC, beyond the obvious X/X – the fixed amount to show, with another generally equal amount to win. This sum is usually made public, although it depends on the governing rules of the commission. In addition, 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 Fight Night 105 was a bit of an exception. The Fight of the Night was the main card, and the first performance bonus went to a main card fight, albeit the first one. And the final POTY went way down to just the second fight of the night.
Fight of the Night $50,000 bonuses
Derrick Lewis defeated Travis Browne by Knockout (Punches, Round 2, 3:12)
Performance of the Night $50,000 bonus
Paul Felder defeated Alessandro Ricci by TKO (Punches, Round 1, 4:44)
Performance of the Night $50,000 bonus
Thiago Marreta Santos defeated Jack Marshmann by TKO (Strikes, Round 2, 2:21)
You need to hear the SOUND this wheel kick to the head made. A thing of absolute beauty by Thiago Santos, says @anezbitt. #UFCHalifax. pic.twitter.com/3VAiigAHZe
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 20, 2017
The next UFC event UFC 209: Woodley vs. Thompson 2 on March 4, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
