Total Payout Surpasses $21 Million as CEO Dana White Pays Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski-Headlined UFC 294 Fighters $237,000 in Compliance Pay

Of the various things that make up fighter pay, one crucial aspect is compliance pay. In a nutshell, Dana White–led UFC compliance pay scheme compensates athletes depending on their UFC experience and ranking, as well as their compliance with their media and promotional commitments. It replaces the former UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy, in which fighters were rewarded based on their rankings. It is funded by UFC’s official gear partner, Venum.

The UFC compliance pay is separated into levels based on a fighter’s number of UFC fights, which includes even Zuffa-era, WEC and Strikeforce fights. Fighters with 1-3 fights are paid $4,000 for each appearance. Those with 4-5 bouts are paid $4,500 per fight. Those with 6-10 bouts get $6,000 and fighters with 11-15 bouts under their belt earn $11,000. For more experienced fighters, those with 16-20 bouts, the payout is $16,000. Meanwhile, fighters who have made 21 or more UFC appearances get $21,000. Champions are in a separate bracket, getting $42,000 per fight, while their challengers earn $32,000.

How much did the stars make in compliance pay at UFC 294?

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, both champions, got paid the same $42,000. For the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev made $6000 and Kamaru Usman made $16,000. Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev both made $11,000 in their bizarre no-contest.

Perhaps in a damning indictment of the UFC 294 card, the UFC handed out four performances of the night bonuses given, but no bout of the night bonus. These four performers won $50,000 along with their win bonus and compliance pay for their outstanding victory. Interestingly, all of them were Dagestanis.

UFC hands out four performance of the night bonuses including one to Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanovski in the main event with a spectacular first-round stoppage of the featherweight champion. Makhachev felled Volkanovski with a head kick and then finished him off with hammer fists, earning his thirteenth consecutive victory and fourth performance of the night bonus.

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Makhachev’s compatriot Said Nurmagomedov won another performance of the night, courtesy of his first-round guillotine choke on Muin Gafurov for his second performance of the night.

Ikram Aliskerov was the third recipient after he set up his first-round victory over Warlley Alves with a flying knee in his second UFC finish on the trot. The fourth and final performance bonus went to Mohammed Moakev who submitted Tim Elliot with an arm-triangle on the back of his stifling and constrictive grappling skills in a back-and-forth fight.

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