Those days are in the past.

Per White, those bonuses, which were not normally disclosed publicly outside of off-hand comments by the UFC CEO and President during press conferences, have been replaced by the new $25,000 finishing bonuses.

“What has been happening forever in this company, since we started this company, is that every night, I would tell you ‘okay this guys won these bonuses’ but everybody on the card would get a check, for different dollar amounts depending on how they fought,” White told media outlets including Cageside Press following UFC 324 on Saturday. “Ranking anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 dollars. Every event.”

“Those are going a way, and now finishes will get a $25,000 bonus,” added White.

The UFC’s new finishing bonuses were revealed on Saturday, first by the Sports Business Journal, citing White, and then on the UFC 324 broadcast. Welterweight Ty Miller, making his promotional debut, would have been the first to snag said bonus. However, after being awarded a Performance of the Night bonus instead, it’s not 25K, but 100K, that Miller will take home.

Waldo-Cortes Acosta and Nikita Krylov, however, did qualify. Alex Perez, who missed weight for his fight with Charles Johnson, does not. Despite Perez earning a TKO finish, fighters who miss weight will be ineligible for the award, as they are with Performance and Fight of the Night bonuses.

The post UFC Replaced “Locker Room Bonuses” with 25K Finishing Awards appeared first on Cageside Press.

That’s per a report on Saturday from the Sports Business Journal, citing UFC CEO and President Dana White.

That means the usual $50,000 bonuses for Performance and Fight of the Night will shift to $100,000. At the start of the UFC’s modern era, bonuses occasionally crept up on Pay-Per-View cards, before a flat 50K was eventually settled on. There were of course a few exceptions, including $300,000 post-fight bonuses at UFC 300.

That said, the double bonus money is good news, and is accompanied by another perk (or perhaps motivational tool, if you prefer): a finish bonus of $25,000 will be awarded to all fighters who knock out or submit their opponent on UFC cards moving forward. Winners of the $100,000 Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses won’t qualify for the finishing bonus, so there will be no doubling up.

UFC 324, which kicks off the UFC’s U.S. broadcast deal with Paramount+, has seen talk once again shift to fighter pay. That, after Cageside Press asked headliner Justin Gaethje about how he had invested some of his post-fight bonus money over the years.

Gaethje immediately lamented having 14 post-fight bonuses that still didn’t add up to a million dollars. He also noted that he wasn’t being paid any more money under the Paramount+ deal than he had been previously, despite comments from promotion officials including White and analyst Daniel Cormier that fighters would be paid more moving forward (White later stated that the UFC had offered Gaethje more money, but had not heard back from the lightweight star).

At Thursday’s UFC 324 pre-fight press conference, Gaethje shot down further questions about fighter pay.

If nothing else, the bonus news, and finish incentive, is a step in the right direction— though it remains to be seen how the promotion will address the loss of Pay-Per-View bonus points, now that PPV is a thing of the past in most regions. Nor does it address the embarrassingly low starting wage in the UFC, which has not increased from $10,0000 to show and $10,000 to win in a decade.

The post UFC Doubling Post-Fight Bonuses, Adding Finish Incentive: Report appeared first on Cageside Press.

Yet occasionally, a debuting fighter would pocket $12,000 to show (and another 12K to win). With fighter purses no longer disclosed in Nevada and many other jurisdictions, it’s been hard to keep track of who is making what in the sport.

However, documents included as evidence in a Brazilian court case involving former UFC fighter Taila Santos, and her ex-manager, separate from the UFC’s anti-trust lawsuit(s), have shed some new light on just why the discrepancy exists.

Veteran journalist John S. Nash published excerpts of the exchanges on social media.

In a text exchange between manager Marcelo Brigadeiro, at the time representing Taila Santos, and UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, Brigadeiro complains that Santos “makes less money than usual” because she’s on a Contender Series deal. Maynard disputes that notion, saying it’s not the case, and that 10/10 contracts are the norm. The 12/12 contracts, Maynard adds, are for fighters who step up to make their promotional debut on short notice.

The exchange dates from 2020. A look at disclosed fighter purses in jurisdictions that featured them at the time shows the pay scale dates back a full decade. In other words, it has been ten years since the UFC’s starting wage increased.

In 2014, the UFC’s entry-level pay was 8/8, with a whopping $16,000 on the table for entry level fighters. $8,000 is exactly what newcomer Jake Lindsey earned that year, after losing his June debut at UFC Fight Night 42 to Jon Tuck.

A year later, Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger earned $10,000 for her promotional debut – but that was on short notice against Tecia Torres (now Tecia Pennington) at UFC 194. In other words, the extra two thousand dollar bump for a short-notice debut still applied.

However, now a veteran of the promotion, Max Griffin would make his promotional debut against Colby Covington in August of 2016 at UFC 202, earning $10,000 to show. Griffin was not a replacement fighter, nor was Alberto Uda in his debut fight against Marvin Vettori on the same card, headlined by Conor McGregor, who earned a disclosed $3 million for defeating Nate Diaz (McGregor had no win bonus, but rather a flat fee).

Uda also earned a paltry $10,000 to show up in a losing effort.

These numbers do not include any post-fight bonuses or outfitting pay, nor do they include sponsorships fighters might have secured on their own. It’s worth noting that, given a fighter cedes a portion of their fight purse to their manager, not to mention has to pay training partners, coaches, gym fees, etc., and taxes, their take-home pay is far less than $10,000.

In the wake of the UFC’s $1.1 billion dollar per annum broadcast deal with Paramount+, UFC CEO and President Dana White has stated that fighter pay will increase, suggesting “it’s gonna be good” without providing specific numbers.

The post Discrepancy in Pay for UFC Newcomers Revealed appeared first on Cageside Press.

It seems as if fighter pay is brought up after every event nowadays. Last weekend at UFC Vegas 34, Jared Cannioner said he was broke in his post-fight interview, which prompted the topic to be brought up yet again.

As it turns out, a fighter that was on the prelims, eight fights before Cannioner, is also reportedly broke. In the first round, Bea Malecki (4-1) was knocked out by Josiane Nunes, suffering her first loss as a pro.

Three days after the fight, the Swedish fighter posted on her Instagram, “Plz tell me that becoming 30, being broke and getting knocked out is the new sexy???? 😂😂😂
Anyways lol, home sweet home🙏🏼❤️🇸🇪.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CS9H6knjchp/

Around the same time as her Instagram post, a GoFundMe popped up, with the simple title ‘Support Bea.’ The GoFundMe is now linked in her Instagram bio.

The description of the post reads:

“Hey all!

The post UFC: Bea Malecki Is The Latest Fighter To Have A GoFundMe Pop Up appeared first on Cageside Press.

Finding the proper response to much of the news finding its way into our social media feeds is becoming a tougher task every day. Nothing is surprising anymore, and there’s always more to the story. Leaving us with one reply: “huh?”

Last week, former Titan FC 135-pound title-holder Rudson Caliocane detailed his long road back to professional MMA after he suffered brainstem hemorrhaging following a fight last October, the UFC fight night bonus structure is under attack, and the global pandemic has drastically altered the future of combat sports. Huh.

The reason “huh?”, in its various forms, is such a quality reply is simple. The word is as versatile as a response gets, and while it may require some explanation, “huh?” is sometimes the only way to react to the news of today. Defined by Merriam-Webster as an interjection that’s “used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply”, “huh” or “huh?” can mean a lot of different things.

Despite some of the follies of evolution (see: unemployment fraud), the development and growth of “huh” is something we should embrace. To be the change we want to see in the world, here are a few MMA stories last week that made us go “huh?”

Fighter details working toward return after brainstem hemorrhage

About a year after a brainstem hemorrhage derailed former Titan FC bantamweight champion Rudson Caliocane, the 27-year-old Brazilian is working hard toward a return to fighting in 2021. Huh?

“Five doctors condemned me. I would get off bed, lift my leg — that I wasn’t even feeling — and try to walk, but fall on the floor. My father came to help me and I said, ‘Get your hands off me.’ It was a pretty rough moment. Sh*tting my pants, having my farther shower me, my mother feed me. I went to a restaurant a week later to have some barbecue and couldn’t hold a fork. My friend had to cut the meat and give it to me.

“I spent days like that. I would only do things with left hands, like brush my teeth and stuff like that, and [my mother] would say, ‘Eat with your right hand, stimulate your right hand.’ It was rough, but thank god it’s over. I was happy with every little victory I had. I was able to run, to do jumping jacks, to jump ropes. I was stimulating that side of my body because I know that… it’s like a plant, if you water it it will flourish. That’s how I imagined my body.” – Caliocane, via MMA Fighting

Wow. That’s quite the turn from being a title-holder in a solid promotion. It’s great to hear that he’s been making progress. In a year where it’s been hard to have perspective sometimes, a story like this will do the trick.

Whether or not Caliocane returns to fighting remains to be seen. Honestly, while it’s clearly important to him, returning to as close to 100% health as possible is the most important thing. If fighting can be the motivation that gets him there, great. But fighting with a brainstem hemorrhage in your medical history doesn’t seem like the best idea.

The post Three “Huh?” Moments in MMA Last Week: Brainstem Hemorrhages, Bonuses, and Feeder Systems appeared first on Cageside Press.

When an event like UFC Vegas 5 goes how it did last weekend, the topic of fighter pay is going to come up. The event had several last-minute cancellations, and seemingly endless card adjustments along the way.

Afterward, it was reported that promotional veteran Ed Herman, whose fight with Gerald Meerschaert was canceled after Meerschaert tested positive for COVID-19, was offered $10,000 for showing up, weighing-in, and being ready and able to fight. That figure is significantly smaller than his most recent disclosed show purse.

These reports prompted long-time MMA journalist, and current writer over at The Athletic, Ben Fowlkes to share his thoughts.

If this is true it’s outrageous. Fighters showed up during a pandemic, made weight, took a risk that they might get sick and bring it back to their families. UFC lost zero dollars as a result of those fights not happening, and it’s not the fighters’ fault. Pay them their money. https://t.co/5LgTcGgwvA

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) August 2, 2020

Per usual, Fowlkes makes some great points. But he’s looking at the issue mainly from the fighter’s point of view. What of the UFC’s side of things?

What really is “show” money, anyway?

What does it mean to “show” for a fight card? Is it showing up, making weight, and being prepared to fight? Or is it actually putting on a show, and fighting?

For the Average Joe, it’s simply not enough to show up to work on time, ready to do whatever job you have. You have to actually do the work to get paid. Sure, the Average Joe doesn’t work in a unique industry in which they work a few times a year, have to pay for a training camp, sort out travel and lodging for several people, and cut weight in order to do their jobs. But, so what?

Why should the promotion pay for fighters to not fight? Why should the promotion pay for work (done specifically on fight night, not the weeks beforehand training and cutting weight) that isn’t done? Sure, the UFC agrees to pay a fighter after all of the pre-fight requirements that are set in place by the promotion. But if a fight doesn’t happen, regardless of the circumstances, what is the promotion really paying for? Where’s the “show” in that?

Yeah, the UFC is somewhat inconsistent on what “show money” really is. Sometimes fighters get it for weird circumstances surrounding the cancellation of their fight. Sometimes not. But what other options are they given?

If fighters were guaranteed their contracted show money every time they made weight, it would not only be a dumb financial move, it would also lead to other dangerous lines of thought.

It sets a bad precedent

First, it’s guaranteed show money. What’s next? Health insurance? Supporting a fighter’s union? It’s not like fighters are employees.

Sure, there are uniforms, drug testing, and non-compete clauses. But what essentially equates to giving away free money is a step too far. There would surely be a rash of late cancellations and abuse of the system were show money consistently implemented.

Plus, the UFC has been one of the few promotions/leagues to put on events throughout the majority of 2020. Paying for the added costs of anti-COVID measures taken for each event is no small feat. Who knew healthcare was so expensive?

Fighters should be happy events are happening at all. If their fight gets canceled, it’s no big deal.

We can get you another fight

Picture a rather one-sided conversation going something like this:

“Okay, so your fight got canceled this week. Got plans five weeks from now?

Yeah, another mini-training camp, set of travel plans, and weight cut will dip into your pocket. And might not lead to optimal results come fight night. But, assuming it happens, you’ll totally be able to afford all of that after your next fight. No harm, no foul.

If that doesn’t work, we could just not book you. The UFC’s got a pretty sizable roster. Even during a global pandemic. Just sayin’.”

The UFC decides what show money is, and that can change whenever they like. While being wary of setting bad precedents, they have the ultimate salve in a quick turnaround for a fight and a payday. And if the quick turnaround doesn’t work for that fighter, oh well. What’s the promotion supposed to do about it?

The UFC is clearly not interested in answering that question. Without more pressure, say from a large group of fighters working together to argue for basic rights and benefits for all fighters in the promotion, it’s hard to see any better options for fighters in this situation coming to the table anytime soon.

The post When “Show” Money Becomes “Some” Money appeared first on Cageside Press.