HOUSTON – Everything is bigger in Texas, including UFC fight night bonuses.
UFC president Dana White heard Tony Ferguson’s request and has decided to increase the UFC 262 bonuses from the usual $50,000 to $75,000, promotion officials confirmed to MMA Junkie on Friday. Combate was the first to report the change.
“(Last time when I fought in Houston), we were here for the performance-bonus meeting,” Ferguson said to White at Thursday’s pre-fight news conference. “(Travis Browne) said, ‘You know, everything is bigger in Texas, Dana, right?’ Right, you remember that? He said, ‘How about a bigger bonus?’ So, I’m going to ask you, Dana. Since we are here, like last time, can we have a bigger bonus this time?”
That got a rousing reaction from fans in attendance and apparently resonated with the UFC boss.
The 50 percent increase is a one-time deal. After UFC 262, bonuses will return to the normal $50,000 for “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night.”
UFC 262 takes place Saturday at Toyota Center. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Check out the fighters who will have the chance to earn an increased bonus at tomorrow’s event in the lineup below:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
- Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler – for vacant lightweight title
- Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson
- Rogerio Bontorin vs. Matt Schnell
- Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian
- Edson Barboza vs. Shane Burgos
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)
- Andre Muniz vs. Ronaldo Souza
- Mike Grundy vs. Lando Vannata
- Jamie Pickett vs. Jordan Wright
- Andrea Lee vs. Antonina Shevchenko
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)
- Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany
- Kevin Aguilar vs. Tucker Lutz
- Christos Giagos vs. Sean Soriano
