At tonight’s UFC 264 the UFC has decided to increase their Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses from $50,000 to $75,000. Which is nice, considering the promotion just announced a $175 million deal with the company that will be plastered on the fighter’s walkout gear tonight. Fighters don’t get a direct cut of that, by the way.
The first to announce that the bonuses had been increased was Sean O’Malley, who fights Kris Moutinho on the main card. The increase was later confirmed by ESPN.
This is the second time the UFC has increased their bonuses. The first time was at UFC 262 in May on the request of Tony Ferguson. Charles Oliveira (who beat Ferguson) and Christos Giagos reaped that benefit by clinching Performance of the Night awards. Edson Barboza and Shane Burgos scooped fight of the night. That increase was just temporary with the bonuses reverting back to $50,000 for the events that have followed.
Among the fighters familiar with fight night bonuses on the card are headliners Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. McGregor has won POTN seven times and FOTN twice. Poirier has won POTN four times and FOTN seven times.
Co-main event-er Stephen Thompson has seven fight night bonuses on his record. His opponent Gilbert Burns has four. O’Malley has one FOTN award and three POTN awards.
On the under card Michel Pereira meets Niko Price are booked in a fight that seems destined for a FOTN award.
You can see who scoops these bumper bonuses tonight. The action starts at 6 PM ET on ESPN+.
UFC 264 fight night bonuses raised to $75,000
