UFC 324 introduced a new system for handing out post-fight bonuses, marking a significant change in how fighters are rewarded inside the Octagon.
He later explained that the UFC was not quite ready to roll out increased bonus payments to start the promotion’s new era.
White did eventually confirm that more money was coming. Shortly before Saturday night’s event, he announced the introduction of a finish bonus and revealed that existing bonuses would be doubled.
But following UFC 324, White spoke further about these changes, making claims that have since been challenged by one of the fighters involved.
Matt Frevola reveals post-fight bonuses with letter from Dana White
The new bonus system saw Dana White hand out $450,000 to fighters during UFC 324, a significant change from how things were previously done.
The opening two fights of the night both ended with Ty Miller and Josh Hokit each earning $25,000 bonuses after finishing their opponents simultaneously.
White addressed the new approach during his post-fight press conference, explaining that these bonuses would take the place of checks that were already being distributed behind the scenes but not publicly recognised.
“Everybody on the card would get a check for different dollar amounts depending on how they fought, ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 every event. So, those are going away,” the UFC president stated.
Long-time UFC fighter Matt Frevola responded by sharing some details about what he’d received in the past under that old system.
But according to Frevola’s post on X, some of those payments were just $3,000 – including after his fight with Kyle Nelson. He backed it up by posting a photo of a letter from White confirming it.
Frevola added that one of those $3k payouts followed his first-round knockout win over Genaro Valdez in 2022. Under the new rules in 2026, that finish would have earned him an extra $22k.
Eddie Hearn predicts a fighter pay ‘revolt’ from the UFC roster
Even though fighters were already receiving a post-fight bonus on top of their contracted pay, introducing a flat sum for finishes still represents progress.
The new system has not put an end to ongoing complaints about how much athletes receive compared to the promotion’s overall revenue split.
For instance, Eddie Hearn believes that as Zuffa Boxing continues growing under Dana White, these differences will become even more obvious.
The famous boxing promoter told iFL TV: “I think there will be a revolt from the UFC fighters, to be honest. Because I think they’ll be thinking, ‘Why are we making so much less than the boxers?’”
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