UFC fighters getting frustrated with Dana White over payouts is like a broken record, and after the recent Abu Dhabi event, Ilia Topuria joined the list. The Georgian-Spanish fighter voiced his disappointment with the $50,000 bonus he received for his brutal knockout of Max Holloway, saying the payout didn’t match the impact of his performance. Topuria called out White and the UFC over what he considers low pay, arguing that his win deserved a much bigger reward.
Pulling off something even UFC legends like Alexander Volkanovski haven’t managed is no small feat. But Ilia Topuria did just that, backing up his long-boasted boxing skills by handing Max Holloway the first knockout loss of his decades-long career. After such an iconic win, the Spaniard hoped to sway Dana White and Co. for a bigger bonus on top of his fight purse. But when he received the standard $50k, Topuria wasn’t thrilled. Disappointed, he publicly called out the UFC, demanding a payout that matched his performance.
He stated, “Is it only 50 grand? I knocked out Max Holloway and Dana only give me 50k? I hope they give me a little bit more. And I am going to put my hopes in Dana.”
So far, there’s been no response from Dana White or any UFC higher-ups addressing Topuria’s callout. Reports don’t indicate that he’s received anything beyond the usual bonus either. It’ll be interesting to see if the UFC meets Topuria’s demand for a bigger payout.
UFC 308 Purse: How Much Money Did Ilia Topuria Make Knocking Out Max Holloway?
Before the fight, SportySalaries reported Topuria’s purse for UFC 308 at $750,000, with total earnings reaching $2.4 million thanks to a hefty $1.5 million from pay-per-view revenue. Meanwhile, Holloway is expected to earn around $1.53 million. Combining $500,000 purse and up to $850,000 from pay-per-view sales. Post-fight, MMA reporter Rueben Carter noted that both headliners walked away with over $2 million. Topuria earned around $2.4 M, while Holloway took home $2 M.
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Meanwhile, beyond Topuria’s purse, the big debate is who will claim Fighter of the Year—Topuria or Alex Pereira. Both fighters have had standout, undefeated performances this year, taking down former champions and making a strong case for the title. Until awards season rolls around, fans will keep speculating on which fighter will come out on top.
Also Read: Dustin Poirier Eyes High Stakes Showdown With UFC 308 Main Event Fighters As His Farewell Fight
