The UFC gave out six-figure bonuses for the first time
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett were rewarded handsomely for helping the Paramount era start off right with an action-packed UFC 324 main event.
For the 10th time in his storied career, Gaethje captured the Fight of the Night award after scrapping with Paddy Pimblett over five rounds to close out Saturday’s show at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This was Pimblett’s first time receiving the award. Both fighters receive a $100,000 bonus check for their efforts, making them two of the first four fighters to enjoy the new six-figure bonuses under the UFC’s Paramount partnership.
Also receiving bonuses are Ty Miller and Josh Hokit for their perfectly timed finishes. In an amazing coincidence, the first two fighters on the card both finished their fights via knockout with one second remaining in the opening round. Miller rocked Adam Fugitt with a knee and punches to win his fight, while Hokit put on a prolonged battering of Denzel Freeman before that fight was waved off.
UFC CEO Dana White also announced Saturday that any fighter that wins via knockout or submission will earn an automatic $25,000 bonus, two of which went to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Nikita Krylov on this evening. Flyweight veteran Alex Perez also won his fight via knockout, but was ineligible for a post-fight bonus due to missing weight Friday.
Category: General Sports
