LAS VEGAS — Justin Gaethje has never been afraid of violence inside the Octagon. This week, he showed he’s also unafraid of a topic many UFC fighters tiptoe around: money. Speaking with MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday ahead of his interim lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, Gaethje openly questioned the UFC’s compensation structure particularly when it comes to Fight Night bonuses.
“The Highlight” holds the UFC record for most Fight Night bonuses, earning 14 bonuses in 14 UFC appearances. At $50,000 per bonus, Gaethje has collected $700,000 in performance incentives a number he believes should be far higher given his historical impact on the promotion’s entertainment value.
“Oh man, to have 14 bonuses and not have it equal up to $1 million, it’s not right,” Gaethje said. “It should be a lot more than that.”
Bonuses, Broadcasting, and Broken Promises?
Gaethje’s comments came as the UFC prepares to enter a new era. UFC 324 marks the promotion’s first event under its new CBS–Paramount broadcasting deal, a seven-year agreement reportedly worth $7.7 billion.
Unlike leagues such as the NFL or NBA, which split broadcasting revenue with players, the UFC retains 100 percent of its media-rights income. That fact has fueled renewed debate about fighter compensation especially after former two-division champion Daniel Cormier publicly suggested fighters would earn more money under the new deal.
Gaethje isn’t seeing it. “To this day, I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card,” Gaethje said. “I’m not getting paid one dollar more than if this deal hadn’t happened.”
UFC CEO Dana White has echoed similar optimism in recent interviews, hinting that fighter pay will improve in the Paramount era. However, no formal changes have been announced, and no independent confirmation has been provided by the promotion or the fighters.
A Complicated Financial Backdrop
Gaethje’s frustration also arrives amid continued scrutiny of the UFC’s business practices. The promotion recently settled Le v. Zuffa, an antitrust lawsuit alleging the UFC used anticompetitive tactics to suppress fighter pay. That settlement resulted in a $375 million payout to fighters who competed between 2010 and 2017.
A second lawsuit, Johnson v. Zuffa, remains ongoing and raises similar allegations. Against that backdrop, Gaethje’s willingness to speak candidly stands out particularly from a fighter competing for a belt on one of the UFC’s biggest cards of the year.
Fighting for More Than a Belt
At 35, Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) enters UFC 324 not just chasing gold, but still embodying what made him a fan favorite in the first place: chaos, honesty, and violence.
While he acknowledged that he hasn’t always made the smartest financial decisions, his core message was clear fighters who consistently deliver should see compensation that reflects their value.
Whether the Paramount era ultimately delivers on promises of increased pay remains to be seen. For now, Gaethje’s words have reignited a conversation many in the sport believe is long overdue. And as usual, “The Highlight” isn’t pulling his punches inside or outside the cage.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
