One of the defining characteristics of the “modern era” of the UFC is a constant reevaluation of the pay structure in the promotion.
This is in large part due to the looming threat of unions/associations as well as the UFC’s own financial situations with big TV deals and the $4.2 billion sale of the promotion in 2016.
Throughout the UFC’s history, one goal for many fighters and their management was to land one of the rare contracts without a “win bonus” and with pay-per-view points. For example, during his peak, Chuck Liddell’s salary was not tied to getting his hand raised at the end of the night.