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. At UFC Fight Night 126 however, all four performance bonuses were on the main card.
Fight of the Night of the Night: $50,000 bonuses
•Brandon Davis defeated Steven Peterson by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-26)
Brandon Davis has now won 8 of his last 9 with the win over Steven Peterson! #UFCAustin https://t.co/jLHx1jemqW
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 19, 2018
Performance of the Night: $50,000 bonus
•Derrick Lewis defeated Marcin Tybura by TKO (Strikes, Round 3, 2:48)
Derrick Lewis vs. Marcin Tybura was an absolute roller coaster! Where does The Black Beast go from here? #UFCAustin https://t.co/mUtNDVvF4u
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 19, 2018
Performance of the Night: $50,000 bonus
•Curtis Millender defeated Thiago Alves by Knockout (Knee, Round 2, 4:17)
WHOA! @CurtiousCurtis Millender just blew up Thiago Alves with a hellacious knee for a huge win at #UFCAustin! https://t.co/NhH8kXK7hy
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 19, 2018
And just because it was cool.
Donald Cerrone defeated Yancy Medeiros by TKO (Strikes, Round 1, 4:58)
https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX/status/965451143345156098https://twitter.com/ufc/status/965451407955410944https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX/status/965452008797847553
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, although that has no relevance to FOX event.
The next league event is UFC on Fox 28: Emmett vs. Stephens on February 24, 2018, at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, United States.
