American lightweight Matt Frevola publicly revealed his UFC bonus payslip from Fight Night 262 in Vancouver after UFC president Dana White discussed new fighter bonus arrangements during a recent press conference. Frevola’s disclosure comes amid changes linked to the UFC’s lucrative seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast agreement with Paramount, which is expanding bonus payouts for fighters.
Overview of UFC’s Revised Bonus System After New Broadcast Deal
The UFC announced a revised bonus payout system, with event bonuses doubling from $50,000 to $100,000. Dana White, speaking to Sports Business Journal, confirmed that the overall bonus pool per event would reach at least $400,000. Additionally, White introduced a fresh bonus element: a $25,000 reward for fighters who finish opponents by knockout or submission but do not receive Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night honors.
This updated structure officially started at UFC 324, aiming to further incentivize finishes beyond the traditional awards.
Dana White Addresses Historical Discretionary Bonuses in Press Conference
Following UFC Fight Night 262, where the matchup between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett was declared Fight of the Night, the topic of bonuses was raised during Dana White’s post-fight press conference. When asked what motivated the UFC to offer bonuses for every finish, White explained that previous bonus distributions included discretionary payments for all fighters on the card.
White said,
“What has been happening forever in this company since we started is every night I would tell you guys, these guys won these bonuses, but 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.”
He added,
“So those are going away, and now finishes will get a $25,000 bonus.”
Matt Frevola Confirms Discretionary Bonus Payments With Evidence
In contrast to new bonus claims, Frevola uploaded a screenshot of his bonus payslip from his October fight, where he lost a unanimous decision to Kyle Nelson. Despite the loss, the 35-year-old received a $3,000 discretionary bonus. On X (formerly Twitter), Frevola captioned his post with, Thanks boss.
Addressing fan responses, he stated,
“Guys I showed he’s not lying about discretionary bonuses & said thanks boss. Why are you mad?”
He further shared that he received $3,000 for his fight against Genaro Valdez at UFC 270, a $5,000 bonus for defeating Ottman Azaitar, and additional £3,000 bonuses for his bouts with Benoit Saint-Denis and Fares Ziam. Commenting on these amounts, Frevola added,
“You always get a little sprinkle.”
Background on UFC Bonus Traditions and Financial Context
Traditionally, UFC fighters were awarded a combined total of $200,000 in bonuses per event, with $50,000 going to each competitor in the Fight of the Night and $50,000 to two fighters recognized for individual outstanding performances. The recent changes are part of a broader restructuring aiming to align fighter compensation with the company’s substantial new broadcast revenue.
Implications of Bonus Changes on Fighters and Future Events
The introduction of fixed $25,000 bonuses for finishes and increased overall bonus funds underscores the UFC’s effort to reward fighters more transparently and consistently. By sharing his payslip and acknowledging the discretionary nature of past bonuses, Matt Frevola highlights ongoing debates on fighter compensation fairness. Moving forward, these adjustments could shape fighter motivation and performance, influencing how bonuses impact the competitive landscape.
Thanks boss https://t.co/AoFx7nXbux pic.twitter.com/bkPN6q5TNJ
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) January 25, 2026
