Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson urges the promotion to reward exciting fighters with bigger bonuses.
Jackson shared his views on a recent episode of the Jaxxon podcast. He spoke alongside TJ Dillashaw and Bobby Green about the fallout from UFC 321.
“Imagine how fights would change if the bonus reached one million dollars,” Jackson said. “Fighters would go all out. They wouldn’t just aim to win—they would aim to entertain and give fans shows they never forget.”
He added, “It’s about respect for the craft and the risks these athletes take. If UFC wants top talent and higher-level competition, increasing bonuses is essential.”
Jackson emphasized that the business side of the sport must match the fighters’ reality. “They deserve the big bucks,” he said. “These payouts can change lives, not just for fighters, but for their families. UFC must step up.”
UFC 321 Sparks Jackson’s Comments
Many fans found UFC 321 underwhelming, even before the disappointing main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
Fans often focus on striking-heavy fights when judging excitement. The card leaned heavily on grappling and takedowns, leaving some viewers unsatisfied.
Despite the low fan excitement, UFC 321 set a record for the most successful takedowns in a single UFC event. The Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Volkov bout highlighted this trend, reflecting fans’ mixed feelings about the card.
Could Bonuses Actually Rise?
Jackson suggested that UFC might consider increasing bonuses, though he thought a jump from $50,000 to $100,000 seemed more likely than a million-dollar payout.
During his UFC career, Jackson earned multiple performance bonuses, giving him firsthand insight into how impactful extra pay can be for fighters.
He concluded that higher bonuses could push athletes to deliver more thrilling fights while securing financial stability for themselves and their families.
