The Pay-Per-View model is dead. Long live the monthly subscription.
When the UFC announced the move to Paramount+, the biggest question wasn’t about the commentary team or the production quality. It was about the money. For decades, the biggest stars in the sport—from Conor McGregor to Jon Jones—ate off the “back end.” They earned a cut of every $80 PPV sold, which is how champions became multi-millionaires.
But at UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2, there was no PPV to buy.
So, how did Alexander Volkanovski get paid? And did the lack of PPV points hurt his bottom line?
We have crunched the numbers, analyzed the new bonus structure (which Dana White doubled specifically for this event), and looked at the reported gate of $12.3 million from the Qudos Bank Arena to build a comprehensive estimate of who made what in Sydney.
Here is the deep dive into the fighter salaries, the new $100,000 bonuses, and the financial reality of UFC 325.
(Note: The figures below are estimates based on reported contracts, historical data, and the new compensation structure. Official purses are rarely disclosed publicly immediately after the event.)
💸 The New Economy: Bonuses & “Finish Incentives”
Before we get to the specific paychecks, we have to talk about the new rules. To compensate for the lack of PPV upside and to ensure the fights on Paramount+ are exciting for casual streamers, Dana White implemented a massive change for UFC 325:
- Double Bonuses: The standard $50,000 performance bonuses were bumped to $100,000.
- The “Finish” Stipend: An extra $25,000 was awarded to any fighter who secured a stoppage but didn’t win a main performance bonus.
This injected an extra $525,000 of pure cash into the card, rewarding the violence we saw from Benoit Saint Denis, Mauricio Ruffy, and the prelim hunters.
🏆 The Main Event: Volkanovski vs. Lopes
Alexander Volkanovski might be the first test case for the “Paramount Champion” contract. While he loses the direct correlation to PPV buys, industry reports suggest top stars are now negotiating massive flat fees or “viewership bonuses” to bridge the gap.
Volkanovski defended his title, defended his home turf, and likely defended his bank account. Between his base salary, the win bonus, and the Fight of the Night (FOTN) check, he cleared seven figures easily.
Diego Lopes, despite the loss, proved he belongs in the elite tax bracket. As a title challenger in a main event, his base pay takes a significant jump from his prospect days.
Estimated Payouts: Main Event
| Fighter | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Sponsorship (Venum) | Performance Bonus | Total Estimated Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | Win | $850,000 | $850,000 | $42,000 | $100,000 (FOTN) | ~$2,500,000* |
| Diego Lopes | Loss | $350,000 | $0 | $32,000 | $100,000 (FOTN) | ~$482,000 |
*Note: Volkanovski’s total likely includes undisclosed “replacement PPV” incentives or viewership milestones negotiated in his new contract.
🔥 The Co-Main: Saint Denis Cashes In
This is where the new “Finish Bonus” really shines. Benoit Saint Denis obliterated Dan Hooker in the second round. Because Ruffy and Salkilld won the main $100k “Performance of the Night” awards, BSD would normally have gone home with just his win money.
However, under the new rules, his brutality earned him an extra $25,000 check. It’s not a fortune, but it pays for the training camp.
For Dan Hooker, this was a tough night at the office. As a veteran with over 20 UFC fights, his base pay is high (“Show Money”), but leaving without the win bonus stings, especially after taking that kind of damage.
Estimated Payouts: Co-Main Event
| Fighter | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Sponsorship | Special Bonus | Total Estimated Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | Win | $200,000 | $200,000 | $11,000 | $25,000 (Finish) | ~$436,000 |
| Dan Hooker | Loss | $425,000 | $0 | $21,000 | $0 | ~$446,000 |
💰 The “Main Card Money” Winners
The rest of the main card saw some life-changing money change hands. Specifically, Mauricio Ruffy and Quillan Salkilld.
These two prospects were arguably on entry-level or mid-tier contracts (likely $12k/$12k or $20k/$20k ranges). Winning a $100,000 Performance Bonus effectively quadrupled their nightly earnings. This is the magic of the UFC bonus system—one great punch can be worth more than three years of fighting.
Tai Tuivasa, on the other hand, is in a dangerous spot. He is likely on a lucrative veteran contract (estimated $150k-$200k to show), but losing six of his last seven fights makes him expensive for the UFC to keep if he isn’t winning.
Estimated Payouts: Main Card Feature Fights
| Fighter | Result | Base Pay | Win Bonus | Bonuses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauricio Ruffy | Win | $150,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 (POTN) | ~$404,500 |
| Rafael Fiziev | Loss | $300,000 | $0 | $0 | ~$311,000 |
| Tallison Teixeira | Win | $75,000 | $75,000 | $0 | ~$154,000 |
| Tai Tuivasa | Loss | $175,000 | $0 | $0 | ~$191,000 |
| Quillan Salkilld | Win | $90,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 (POTN) | ~$284,500 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | Loss | $115,000 | $0 | $0 | ~$126,000 |
🩸 The Prelim Hustle: Who Got the Extra $25k?
The Preliminary card is where the hunger is real. For many of these fighters, the base pay is around $12,000 to $20,000. That is why Dana White’s $25,000 Finish Bonus is so critical here. For a fighter like Billy Elekana or Cam Rowston, that bonus check effectively doubles their salary.
We also saw the “Road to UFC” winners (Lui, Nakamura, Mar Fan) make their debuts. While their base pay is low, getting the win guarantees them a contract and a foot in the door.
Estimated Payouts: Notable Prelim Fighters
| Fighter | Result | Outcome | Total Est. Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Elekana | Win | RNC (Rd 2) | ~$90,000 (Incl. $25k Bonus) |
| Junior Tafa | Loss | Submission | ~$45,000 |
| Cam Rowston | Win | TKO (Rd 2) | ~$70,000 (Incl. $25k Bonus) |
| Cody Brundage | Loss | TKO | ~$65,000 |
| Jonathan Micallef | Win | Submission | ~$65,000 (Incl. $25k Bonus) |
| Keiichiro Nakamura | Win | TKO | ~$55,000 (Incl. $25k Bonus) |
📉 Analysis: Is the New Model Better?
The shift to Paramount+ has changed the ecosystem.
- The Winners: Mid-tier action fighters. Guys like Benoit Saint Denis and Quillan Salkilld benefit massively from the increased bonus pools and “Finish Incentives.” The UFC is clearly using cash to incentivize highlights for social media.
- The Losers: Veteran gatekeepers on losing streaks. Guys like Dan Hooker and Tai Tuivasa are taking massive damage for flat fees. Without win bonuses, their earnings per concussion are dropping.
Volkanovski’s bottom line: While the “PPV Points” model is technically gone for this event, the reported payout of nearly $2.5 million shows that the UFC is willing to pay premium rates to keep their champions happy in the streaming era. He might not be hitting the $5 million marks of the McGregor days, but for a Featherweight in a non-PPV environment, “The Great” is still eating well.
Check Out the Next Big Event: UFC 326 Early Odds (Upcoming Posts)
Disclaimer: These figures are estimates based on industry sources, reported gate figures, and standard contract structures. They do not represent official disclosed purses from the athletic commission.
