Saturday, January 24, 2026-In the days leading up to UFC 324 in Las Vegas, a public dispute over fighter pay has taken center stage as longtime lightweight contender Justin Gaethje openly questioned his compensation under the promotion’s lucrative new broadcast deal.
Gaethje, who headlines the event against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, voiced frustration that he will not earn “a dollar more” for this fight despite the UFC’s seven‑year, $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount+, which replaced the traditional pay‑per‑view model. Gaethje noted that, even after earning 14 post‑fight bonuses in his career, his cumulative bonus income hasn’t reached $1 million a point he argues highlights deeper issues with how fighters are paid.
Responding to those concerns, UFC CEO Dana White took to national media to defend the promotion’s approach, asserting that Gaethje was offered a higher‑paying contract ahead of his UFC 324 main event but never responded to the offer.
White made the remarks on The Pat McAfee Show, stating that despite the shift away from pay‑per‑view, the company has devised a new payment structure he believes will benefit fighters under the Paramount+ era. He said the UFC’s new system is “dialed in” and can approximate earnings similar to the old pay‑per‑view model, even though Gaethje insists his specific purse hasn’t reflected that change.
The back‑and‑forth has highlighted broader tensions in MMA over fighter compensation in a changing business landscape. Gaethje’s comments including a pointed on‑camera confrontation with MMA commentator Daniel Cormier over conflicting statements about pay increases have underscored skepticism among athletes about the tangible benefits of the new broadcast deal.
While White downplayed any rift and emphasized that relations with Gaethje remain positive, the dispute has amplified calls from fighters and fans alike for greater transparency and fairness in how top‑tier competitors are compensated as the sport evolves.
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