Dana White announces bigger bonuses as UFC 324 kicks off

LAS VEGAS: The UFC has doubled its fight night bonus structure and will now award a bonus for every finish inside the Octagon, UFC President Dana White told Sports Business Journal. The changes take effect with UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.

Previously, the top two performers of the card and the fighters in the “Fight of the Night” received $50,000 each. Under the new structure, those bonuses have been increased to $100,000. In addition, any fighter who finishes an opponent with a knockout or submission but does not qualify for the $100,000 bonus will receive $25,000.

UFC 324 will be headlined by rising star Paddy Pimblett (23-3-0) and former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (26-5-0), marking the company’s first numbered event since its seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount took effect on Jan. 1. The deal roughly doubles the annual value of UFC’s media rights compared to the previous ESPN arrangement.

The co-main event features bantamweight stars Sean O’Malley (18-3-0) and Song Yadong (22-8-1), with the winner expected to challenge champion Petr Yan later this year. A highly anticipated matchup between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes had been scheduled, but Harrison withdrew last week due to injury.