Dana White’s reputation for being stingy has shifted since the historic UFC 300 event. During the press conference, the UFC CEO stunned everyone by increasing post-fight bonuses from $50,000 to a whopping $300,000. This announcement was met with widespread praise from the MMA community. Continuing this trend of generosity, UFC 304 in Manchester, England, saw another bonus increase for the event’s fighters, announced by Dana White during the press conference.

During the UFC 304 press conference, UFC lightweight contender King Green called for a bonus increase.” Uncle Dana, let’s spice it up a little bit. Can we get $100k? I’ll spice it up a little bit,” he shouted. The entire press conference erupted in cheers, supporting Green’s demand. Dana White paused, then looked at Leon Edwards, who nodded in agreement.“Leon says yes,” White announced to the delight of the figures.

On the other hand, welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad chimed in, announcing his vacation plans after securing a $100,000 bonus for his win. “Going to Greece,” he said.

However, just a few years ago, the situation was vastly different. If you’re a hardcore MMA fan, you’ll remember UFC 200, held on July 9, 2016. Before and after the event, Dana White was asked if he would increase bonuses similar to those given at UFC 100. White immediately dismissed the idea, claiming fighters were already earning substantial amounts of money. Ironically, this event boasted a fight card featuring superstars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.

No doubt the new $100k bonus announcement will motivate athletes to fight with everything they have to secure the hefty reward. However, Leon Edwards seems to have a different goal. In the post-fight conference, he expressed not only his desire to earn the $100k bonus but also his ambition to surpass the legendary GSP’s record.

Leon Edwards aiming for GSP-level success

George St-Pierre was considered a nightmare for contenders in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions. His fearsome reputation persisted until his retirement in 2019. In 2020, the UFC announced GSP’s induction into the Hall of Fame. He boasts an astonishing record of 26 wins and only 2 losses, including a remarkable 12 successful title defenses, making his career nearly perfect by MMA standards.

Leon Edwards is fearless and boldly declared his goal during the pre-fight press conference. “He’s just another guy in the way, right? I’m chasing the great GSP’s record because he is another opponent in the way,” he declared. While Kamaru Usman was previously close to breaking the record for the most consecutive welterweight title defenses, Edwards surpassed Usman’s record in 2022. Although Edwards is now closer to GSP’s winning streak, he still has a way to go to match the legend’s overall record.

“Rocky’s” statement about chasing GSP’s record is undoubtedly bold. While he’s made significant strides and surpassed Kamaru Usman’s record, equaling GSP’slegendary mark is a monumental challenge. The road ahead is long and filled with potential obstacles. Maintaining dominance in the welterweight division over multiple years, avoiding upsets, and staying injury-free are crucial factors.

Whether Edwards can truly achieve this feat remains to be seen. However, his ambition and determination are undeniable, making him a compelling figure to watch in the UFC. Only time will tell if he can etch his name alongside legendary GSP. What do you think? Can Leon edwards break GSP’s record? Share your thoughts below!