Dana White asked to ‘keep same energy’ with $300K as permanent fight bonus

Tim Means calls out Dana White for continued high bonuses after UFC 300 success.

Dana White asked to ‘keep same energy’ with $300K as permanent fight bonus

UFC CEO Dana White (Image via: IMAGO)

UFC 300 was a big success due to the impressive performances of the fighters. Dana White had increased the bonuses for the event to $300k from $50k. Therefore, the fighters had extra motivation to make extra money at the event.

After UFC 300, the UFC did not hold events the next week, but the promotion will return with the Apex fight night this weekend. Tim Means opens the main card against Uros Medic. On the presser ahead of fight night, Means had some things to say about the bonuses.

I hope y'all keep the same energy, show up with $300,000 bonuses, don't mess around. Let's talk about it. Let's at least sit down in the room whenever we do our rules meeting over here Saturday night and let's have a discussion.
Tim Means at UFC Vegas Vegas 91
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When media members asked what the bonuses should be, Means had no hesitation in saying that the bonus should be less than $300K. For Means, UFC Apex events seem better than UFC PPVs. The veteran fighter stated Apex events produce more exciting finishes than PPV events.

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Means is a veteran of the UFC with 28 UFC appearances under his belt. In the promotion, he has fought the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Belal Muhammad, and Kevin Holland, among others. In his last fight, he halted his three-fight losing streak with a 3rd round TKO finish off Andre Fialho.

Previous instances of Dana White increasing the bonus

UFC 300 was not the first time Dana White increased the bonus pay. For UFC 100, White increased the bonus pay to $100k. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Alan Belcher, Dan Henderson, and Tom Lawlor won $100k. However, the UFC did not increase the bonuses for UFC 200.

UFC CEO Dana White
UFC CEO Dana White (Image via: IMAGO)

Nonetheless, the UFC increased bonuses to $75k for UFC 264, headlined by Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Sean O’Malley, Kris Moutinho, Tai Tuivasa, and Dricus du Plessis bagged $75K at UFC 264. Interestingly, O’Malley and Du Plessis have now become undisputed UFC champions.

At UFC 300, Max Holloway was the main beneficiary of the increase in bonus as he made $600k. Jiri Prochazka and Justin Gaethje made $300k each. Nevertheless, there is very little chance the UFC will increase the bonus pay permanently. Dana White said after UFC 264, such a move would affect their budget.

When he was the champion, Israel Adesanya vouched to increase the bonus pay. However, it did not materialize. Unlike the fighters with a higher fight purse, the bonuses are for the undercard fighters whose remuneration is lesser than the bonus.

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