Whenever they step into the ring, today’s leading fighters aren’t just competing for status, fame and glory – there is also plenty of cold hard cash to be won, too. Winning a major fight can be a hugely lucrative financial opportunity, thanks to the frequent availability of significant performance bonuses for the most high-flying fighters. These impressive cash prizes can be life-changing for some athletes, and can even change the trajectory of their careers forever. Performance bonuses are typically awarded to fighters who demonstrate a particularly exciting or impressive display of talent – however, the reasoning behind these cash incentives can occasionally lead to confusion and controversy amongst fans of the sport. To help you understand them better, we’ve taken a closer look into how performance bonuses work in combat sports today.
What kinds of performance bonuses are there?
Whilst a variety of performance bonuses exist, the most common kind of cash incentive is issued to fighters who achieve particularly impressive victories, and in UFC this is rewarded with the ‘Performance of the Night’ and ‘Submission of the Night’ prizes. Landing a powerful win over their opponent is therefore the most typical way for today’s leading fighters to win a boost to their finances. However, fighters don’t always need to be victorious in order to receive a significant performance bonus. In the world of UFC, the ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus is also available, and is awarded to both participants in the most impressive and memorable fight on the card. Typically, these UFC bonuses are valued at $50,000, but they can occasionally be much higher at particularly prestigious or large-scale events. For example, at last year’s UFC 300 event, President Dana White introduced one-time performance bonuses worth $300,000. Max Holloway was therefore able to walk away with a massive bounty of $600,000 after scooping up both the Performance of the Night and the Fight of the Night awards.
Clearly, the stakes are high – and this makes a huge difference in the world of combat sports, in which salaries and financial rewards for fighters can vary dramatically. Whilst some athletes are able to build a lasting career from their success, others unfortunately see very little compensation for their efforts. Interestingly, as MMA (mixed martial arts) has become increasingly popular in recent years, major sporting bodies like the UFC have realized that having such a tantalizing bonus system is a great way to attract and retain new talent. Just like the types of casino bonuses in Canada which regularly attract new players to online casino sites, these highly attractive performance bonuses available in combat sports have now become a powerful motivator for the leading fighters on the scene today. Winning a large performance bonus can be life-changing, both financially speaking and in terms of a fighter’s reputation and status. It’s usually a great way for contenders to stand out on a crowded roster, and those who win tend to receive much more attention in their future appearances, alongside opportunities to make even more money.
How are the winners selected?
In the world of combat sports, decision-making with regards to performance bonuses is often subjective and can be based on a range of variables. Within the UFC bonus system, President Dana White tends to play an instrumental role in the selection of winners, and is known for considering a variety of factors including the reaction of fans, the response of the press, and the wider backstory of each fighter. Whilst this highly subjective selection process allows decision-makers to acknowledge the unique atmosphere of each individual fight, certain decisions have attracted criticism from fans and fighters – particularly on occasions where multiple fighters have all given performances that could be deemed worthy of the prize money. The lack of a distinctive set of criteria for fighters to aim for has therefore become controversial in some circles, with some critics arguing that it encourages risky behaviour amongst those attempting to put on an exciting show. Despite this, the subjective approach to bonuses certainly makes space for the characteristically chaotic and unpredictable nature of each UFC match, and it definitely makes matches more exciting.
Outside of the UFC, other combat sports do also offer performance bonuses, although they can vary dramatically in terms of their value, criteria and frequency. For example, fighters in ONE Championship events are more commonly rewarded for displaying martial arts values such as respect, discipline and perseverance within their overall performance. The ‘ONE Warrior’ bonus awards $50,000 to the participant who possesses ‘warrior spirit’ and delivers the most exciting and impressive display of talent. More broadly speaking, across every combat sport, most fighters will regularly have the opportunity to negotiate incentives into their contracts, or receive discretionary bonuses from endorsements and sponsorship deals. These forms of payment vary significantly and are not always made public, but it is clear that becoming a fighting champion can be extremely lucrative and can open up plenty of avenues for considerable financial compensation. If things go well, combat sports can be a viable and highly-paid career path, becoming much more than just a hobby.
Ultimately, the popularity and increased viewership of combat sports has led to the availability of increasingly lucrative cash incentives for the most successful fighters. Instead of competing for their pride or reputation, the most powerful figures on the scene are now also fighting to receive impressive amounts of money. Achieving greatness in the ring can be life-changing for the fighters of today, as increasingly eye-watering amounts are available to those who set themselves apart from the rest. As time goes on, these thrilling combat sports will undoubtedly become even more popular, and major sporting associations like the UFC are likely to offer even larger sums of money in order to attract and retain the best talent. Whilst fair decision-making and the welfare of fighters must remain a priority, it is clear that performance bonuses have made the world of combat sports more exciting than ever – who knows what the fighters of the future might achieve!