Dana White reveals UFC fighter pay set to increase after $7.7 billion deal

In August 2025, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) stunned the sports world by signing a monumental seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount and CBS. Beginning in 2026, this landmark agreement marks the end of the traditional pay per view (PPV) model for UFC’s flagship events, reshaping the financial landscape for fighters and fans alike.

A game changer for UFC fighter pay

UFC CEO and President Dana White wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room: how will this distribution overhaul affect fighter pay? During a press conference, he made a bold pledge:

“Bonuses are obviously going up. Forget about the tide rising with all the other fighters, just the number that the bonuses bring to a fighter is millions of dollars.”

Performance bonuses, long static at $50,000 since their introduction, are poised for a major boost come 2026, offering fighters new opportunities for significant income gains.

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More exposure, more opportunity

It’s not just the money. White emphasized the expanded media reach that comes with the deal. Paramount’s comprehensive promotional machinery means fighters will enjoy heightened visibility across premiere networks including Paramount+ and CBS, potentially elevating their marketability and negotiation power.

Still in progress: pay structure overhaul

Specifics remain undefined. White noted that while bonus increases are a clear starting point, a full overhaul of fighter pay structures including compensation traditionally tied to PPV points will require work between now and the deal’s kickoff in January 2026. He assured that existing PPV based contracts will be addressed, albeit without drastic restructuring.

Broader context: fighting for fair compensation

This announcement arrives against the backdrop of ongoing scrutiny around UFC’s fighter pay practices. In 2024, the company settled a landmark $375 million antitrust lawsuit, compensating over 1,000 fighters for alleged wage suppression from 2010 to 2017. Historically, the UFC has allocated just 15 to 22 percent of its revenues to fighters, well below the 47 to 50 percent average seen in major sports leagues.