UFC president Dana White said fighters had not made the effort to earn extra prize money over the weekend and vowed to never again be persuaded to increase fighter bonuses.
White was specifically referring to the doubling of fighters’ prize money to $100,000 for UFC 304, a pattern that has become common in recent years, with fans, reporters and fighters usually convincing White to increase the prize money in the week leading up to the fight for a knockout, submission or overall great performance.
This time it’s Bobby Green. Sure UFC bosses announced they would double the bonuses for Saturday’s event in Manchester, England, from the usual $50,000.
Thank everyone who is mentioned in this card.
At the end of the night, as the sun was just rising in the UK, Whyte was asked at a press conference whether he would consider increasing the bonus permanently: “At every press conference, fighters ask for an increase in their bonus. Do you think there’s an argument to be made that we should increase the bonus?” [permanently]???
White chimed in. “I think tonight showed that that’s not how it should be. Putting them on the line doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t make anybody fight harder, it doesn’t change anything!” I’m getting more and more annoyed.
The UFC chief made it clear that while there’s a chance the bonuses will increase as planned, it’s not something he’ll be happy with at a press conference: “I’m never doing that again. Today is the last day I’ll do that. I’m not saying there won’t be bonuses increased in the future, but I’m not going to say ‘200! 300!’ at a press conference. Never again, ever! So, thank you to everyone on this card.”
“Damn it, dude,” one reporter was heard saying.
“Nobody fought harder, there was no sense of urgency. [no] Seriously, I want $100,000,’ seven times in a row…” White continued.
“It’s 3 a.m.!” the same reporter complained.
“Who the hell cares!” White responded. “It’s 7 o’clock in Vegas, so whatever. Man, I’m never doing it again? Seven fucking decisions in a row, yeah, $100,000 was a big fucking ‘Yay, let’s get it!’ Shit, I’m never doing it again.”
The main event Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad The match ended in a decision, and fans were disappointed with the pace.
When asked about his performance, White shrugged and admitted to reporters that it “wasn’t a great performance.”
When a reporter asked White if he thought the late start to the game was the reason for his lackluster performance, White replied, “I have no idea.”
The pay-per-view event’s official start time was 10:00 PM ET, but since it was held in Manchester, England, the local start time was approximately 3:30 AM.
Fighters Mick Parkin, Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett all received fight bonuses, with Pimblett receiving $200,000.
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