Justin Gaethje might want to check his messages.
During his UFC 324 media day session on Wednesday, Gaethje disputed Daniel Cormier’s claims that fighters are definitely getting paid more after the UFC signed a massive seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to move to Paramount. While he lamented that his 14 post-fight bonuses still haven’t added up to $1 million, Gaethje added, “I’m not getting one dollar more [for UFC 324] than I would have if this deal did not happen.”
While Gaethje was telling the truth, UFC CEO Dana White addressed his concerns during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he declared the human highlight reel was offered a new contract worth more money ahead of his interim title fight against Paddy Pimblett.
“Gaethje, without getting into all that stuff, Gaethje was offered more money, and Gaethje never responded,” White said. “[But] we’re good [with Gaethje].”
White has repeatedly stated that fighters are going to be compensated with higher salaries after the new broadcast deal with Paramount kicks off, with the David Ellison-run company more than doubling what ESPN was paying under the UFC’s previous broadcast deal.
The post-fight bonuses are also expected to increase, although White hasn’t stated how much more he’s expected to pay out, with the current amount sitting at $50,000.
That said, White promises that fighters are going to reap the rewards of this broadcast deal — including the athletes who made bonuses based on pay-per-view sales, which are going away with every UFC event now airing on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers.
“We completely have it dialed in,” White said. “We’ve got really smart kids, and they can get down within single digits on how close it would be to pay them like it was a pay-per-view.”
UFC 324 officially kicks off the promotion’s new broadcast deal with Paramount, with Gaethje competing in the main event against Paddy Pimblett, with the winner being crowned interim lightweight champion.
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