UFC president Dana White has hit back at Justin Gaethje’s comments about the promotion’s new deal with Paramount.
The former interim lightweight champion is set to headline the first event under the UFC’s new $7.7 billion broadcast deal, kicking off a fresh chapter for the sport this Saturday.
Gaethje will square off against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, with the two battling for interim gold while current champion Ilia Topuria remains sidelined by personal issues.
With the first event of 2026 just days away, the impact of the partnership with Paramount on fighters, particularly concerning pay and bonuses, remains largely unknown.
Despite White’s insistence that fighter pay is increasing, Gaethje’s recent comments suggest the opposite is true.
Dana White says Justin Gaethje did not reply to improved pay offer ahead of UFC 324
Gaethje has told reporters his pay for UFC 324 is the same as it would have been before the company’s new deal with Paramount.
White, however, put the blame back on the fighter’s camp.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, White said that Gaethje had been sent a better offer but did not reply.
“We completely have it dialed in,” White said when asked about changes to fighter pay after the end of PPV. “We’ve got really smart kids, they can get down to within single digits on how close it would be to pay them like it was pay-per-view.”
He went on to say: “Without getting into all that stuff, Gaethje was offered more money, and Gaethje never responded.”
UFC fans skeptical of Dana White’s comments on Justin Gaethje pay dispute
Fans did not take long to respond to White’s comments about Gaethje, and the general reaction was not positive.
Most fans seemed unconvinced by the UFC president’s explanation, questioning why any fighter would turn down higher pay unless there were strings attached.
“Come on Dana, make up a lie that’s more believable,” one fan wrote.
“Probs a 7-fight contract so they can either milk his name until he is 46, feeding him to young guys like they did Tony (Ferguson), or he retires and is locked in a contract from fighting in exhibitions or any other organization.”
“‘Hey Justin here is $1 million more, but you are on a 10-fight deal that expires in 20 years.’”
“No fighter refuses more money unless there is a catch. Dana is not telling the full story.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“An offer like that would go through Ali (Abdelaziz), not the fighter…something’s fishy!”
“Sounds like neither one are being fully transparent.”
“When does Dana not (tell) lies?”
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