TLDR
- Justin Gaethje says he is not receiving any additional money for UFC 324 despite the UFC’s new $7.7 billion Paramount deal
- Gaethje directly contradicted Daniel Cormier’s claim that fighters are getting paid more under the new broadcasting agreement
- The fighter revealed his 14 post-fight bonuses totaled less than $1 million throughout his UFC career
- Dana White promised bonuses would increase after the deal was announced in August, but no official amounts have been revealed
- Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Saturday night in Las Vegas
Sources: Sherdog | Bloody Elbow | MMA Fighting
Justin Gaethje says he is not receiving any additional money for his UFC 324 fight despite the promotion’s new $7.7 billion broadcasting deal with Paramount. The veteran fighter made the statement during media day ahead of Saturday’s event in Las Vegas.
Gaethje directly disputed claims made by UFC commentator and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier that fighters were seeing increased pay under the new deal. “I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card,” Gaethje said. “I’m not getting $1 more than I would have if this deal did not happen.”
Cormier had stated on the “Weighing In” podcast in December that fighters were already making more money than they did under the old pay-per-view system. “They’re already getting more money, that’s the difference,” Cormier claimed at the time.
Bonus Money Falls Short of Expectations
The 37-year-old fighter also expressed frustration about his post-fight bonus earnings throughout his UFC career. Gaethje has received a bonus in all 14 of his UFC appearances, making him one of the most consistently rewarded fighters in the promotion’s history.
“To have 14 bonuses and not equal up to $1 million is not right,” Gaethje said. “It should be a lot more than that and I should have had opportunities to do smarter things with my money but I don’t and I haven’t.”
Based on his bonus history, Gaethje earned 13 bonuses at $50,000 each, totaling $650,000. He also received $300,000 for his Fight of the Night bonus at UFC 300 against Max Holloway, bringing his total bonus earnings to $950,000.
UFC CEO Dana White promised in August that bonuses would increase following the Paramount deal announcement. However, as of Wednesday, the promotion has not announced any specific amounts for “Performance of the Night” or “Fight of the Night” bonuses.
Investments and Family Support
Despite his concerns about pay, Gaethje reflected on what he has been able to accomplish with his earnings. The former World Series of Fighting champion said he invested in commercial property and purchased a house in Arizona near his parents.
“My sister’s renting that from me now,” Gaethje explained. “But really just being able to help my family. Help my parents, help my brothers and sisters.”
He said he’s been able to give his family Christmas gifts and take them on vacations that wouldn’t have been possible before his fighting career. “That’s the smartest thing I did because you can never get that time back with your family,” he said.
The UFC’s new deal with Paramount marks a major shift for the promotion. The seven-year agreement moves all UFC events to Paramount+, including numbered events that previously cost $79.99 on pay-per-view.
Many fighters previously had pay-per-view points in their contracts that resulted in larger paydays when events sold well. Those bonuses are now gone under the streaming model.
Gaethje will face Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
