UFC president Dana White has publicly countered claims from star fighter Justin Gaethje regarding compensation, stating that the lightweight contender was actually offered increased financial terms ahead of UFC 324.
The Pay Dispute Emerges
As the UFC prepares for its inaugural event under a groundbreaking $7.7bn broadcast partnership with Paramount+, fighter remuneration has become a central talking point. The organisation's long-debated pay structure faces renewed scrutiny as it transitions away from the traditional pay-per-view model that previously governed its revenue distribution.
Justin Gaethje, who headlines Saturday's UFC 324 against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship, sparked controversy during Wednesday's media engagements. The 37-year-old American, renowned for his thrilling fighting style and multiple performance bonuses, asserted that the lucrative new broadcasting arrangement hasn't translated to increased earnings for him personally.
Gaethje's Specific Complaints
"I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card," Gaethje stated. "I'm not getting $1 more than I would have if this deal did not happen."
The former interim champion expanded his criticism to address the UFC's bonus system, highlighting what he perceives as inadequate compensation for exceptional performances. "To have 14 bonuses and not equal up to $1m is not right," Gaethje emphasised. "It should be a lot more than that, and I should have had opportunities to do smarter things with my money, but I don't and I haven't."
White's Firm Rebuttal
Dana White offered a contrasting narrative during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday. The UFC president directly addressed Gaethje's comments, revealing that enhanced financial terms had been presented to the fighter.
"Gaethje... Without getting into all that stuff, Gaethje was offered more money, and Gaethje never responded," White stated, before adding, "[But] we're good."
Navigating the New Broadcast Landscape
The UFC's monumental deal with Paramount+, which followed its separation from ESPN in late 2025, represents a fundamental shift in how the mixed martial arts promotion distributes content and generates revenue. This transition has prompted widespread discussion about how fighters will be compensated without the previous pay-per-view points system that formed a crucial component of top athletes' earnings.
White expressed confidence in the organisation's revised payment structure, explaining: "We completely have it dialled in. We've got really smart kids, and they can get down within single digits on how close it would be to pay them like it was a PPV."
Stakes Beyond the Pay Dispute
The outcome of Saturday's main event carries significant implications for the lightweight division's future. Should Gaethje emerge victorious against the 31-year-old Pimblett, he would position himself for a championship bout against reigning titleholder Ilia Topuria, who is currently taking a temporary hiatus from competition.
The same opportunity would await Pimblett if he triumphs, potentially setting up a grudge match against Topuria. The Liverpudlian star and the champion have maintained a bitter rivalry since their 2022 confrontation at a hotel before UFC London, making their potential clash one of the most anticipated matchups the promotion could organise.
Gaethje's History of Disrupting Plans
Gaethje has previously demonstrated his capacity to derail carefully laid UFC plans, most notably in 2020 when he faced Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title. At that time, a bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Ferguson represented one of the most sought-after matchups in UFC history, but Gaethje dominated and stopped Ferguson, earning his own title shot against Nurmagomedov that autumn.
Although Nurmagomedov submitted Gaethje to retain the championship before announcing his retirement, the American's ability to alter the division's trajectory remains evident as he prepares for another pivotal contest at UFC 324.
