![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-2024-07-27T181234.154.png?width=600)
via Imago
via IMAGO
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-2024-07-27T181234.154.png?width=600)
via Imago
via IMAGO
Both of the UFC’s English champions will defend their belts on the UFC 304 card in Manchester, England. Leon Edwards, the welterweight champ will face another wrestler (after Colby Covington at UFC 296), Belal Muhammad for ‘Rocky’s third title defense in the main event of the July 27 card.
Tom Aspinall will face Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event, not only for the interim heavyweight title but more importantly, to try and avenge the only loss in his pro MMA career. UFC CEO Dana White has been generous with the bonuses, as seems to be somewhat of a trend recently, and may lead to a more interesting card. Ahead of the UK PPV card let us take a look at how much the stars on the card could make with the revised bonuses.
Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall, and Curtis Blaydes have a chance to earn big payday at UFC 304
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dana White’s decision to increase the bonuses for UFC 300 from the usual $50k to $300k has kind of backfired. Since then, the UFC CEO has been convinced to sweeten the bonuses twice now, at UFC 303, where he promised two ‘Fight’ and ‘Performance’ bonuses instead of 1. For UFC 304, the fighter previously known as Bobby Green (now King Green) managed to convince Dana White to double the bonuses to $100k.
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Who do you think deserved the UFC 304 bonus the most?
Leon Edwards
Belal Muhammad
Tom Aspinall
Other
Do you think Belal Muhammad's head kick defense will cost him the fight against Leon Edwards?
Yes
No
Not sure
Whats your Perspective on:
Leon Edwards' bonus—well-deserved or overhyped? What's your take on his UFC 304 performance?
Have an interesting take?
Do you agree with Dana White's assessment that Leon Edwards is not a star?
Absolutely
Not at all
Somewhat
Undecided
Do you agree with Joe Rogan's take on Dana White's boxing promoter payouts?
Absolutely
Not at all
Somewhat
I need more info
This, of course, means that the fighters on the card have twice the incentive to score spectacular knockouts or get into enthralling life-or-death battles with their opponents to try and secure it. Not to mention the six-figure increase in their purse that the bonus would mean.
Leon Edwards, who is reportedly getting the UFC champion base pay of $500k (with the same amount as a win bonus should he prevail, which is true for all fighters) and a cut of the pay-per-view revenue, can expect to walk home $100k richer than his estimated overall salary of over $1.5 million (including win bonus) should he get a ‘Fight’ or ‘Performance’ bonus.
Not much longer now… 👀
Two titles get decided TOMORROW NIGHT 👊
[ #UFC304 | B2YB @StakeUSA ] pic.twitter.com/bShdRUx3Br
— UFC (@ufc) July 27, 2024
What’s your perspective on:
Leon Edwards' bonus—well-deserved or overhyped? What's your take on his UFC 304 performance?
Have an interesting take?
Belal Muhammad, on the other hand, is estimated to be paid around $200k-250k in show money for his main event title bout. If he wins a bonus, he can expect to walk home $600k-700k richer should he win and $300k-400k richer should he lose, excluding any PPV revenue he may receive.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Tom Aspinall, like Edwards will get at least $500k show money and can become $100k richer to take his total payout to at least $1.1 million if he wins and over $600k if he loses, notwithstanding the PPV cut. ‘Razor’ Blaydes, on the other hand, will reportedly make at least $150k in show money, which is why a $100k bonus would mean a significant take-home salary for the American.
Paddy Pimblett, King Green, and other fighters can increase their overall salary
While it may not make much of a dent for the champions, it would be a significant pay bump for fighters down the card, who will be paid significantly less than most fighters in the main and co-main events. Paddy Pimblett, taking on his first top-15 ranked opponent in the UFC, Bobby Green, will reportedly get $150k base pay and will walk home over $400k richer if he wins the bout and a bonus, and around $300k richer if he loses to Green but wins at least one of the bonuses.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Green, on the other hand, will get around $100 to make weight successfully. This, of course, means that he could double his base pay if he manages to win either the ‘Fight of the Night’ or the ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus. Another promising English star featuring on the Manchester card is Arnold Allen, who has emerged as a clear soon-to-be-title-contender in the featherweight division.
Earning a reported base pay of $100k, a bonus would mean an almost hundred percent increase in his total purse, even if he loses (and almost a one-third pay increase should he win, considering the $100k win bonus). What are your predictions for UFC 304?
Debate
Leon Edwards' bonus—well-deserved or overhyped? What's your take on his UFC 304 performance?