The Octagon’s return to Chicago provided one of the year’s most memorable shows. Topped by Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis, fans saw a new era in UFC history as Chimaev posted a dominating five-round decision win.
The event also included thrilling knockouts, such as two consecutive spinning elbow finishes, and was topped off with a string of performance bonuses. But beyond purse and bonuses for fights, all fighters on the card stood to gain from the UFC’s compliance pay scheme.
What Is UFC Compliance Pay?
In addition to show money and win bonuses, fighters earn compliance pay, a program paying them for meeting fight-week requirements, like media events and promotional appearances. It’s a function of their UFC experience, with extra pay for title challengers and champions.
UFC Compliance Pay Tiers
1-3 fights: $4,000
4-5 fights: $4,500
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6-10 fights: $6,000
11-15 fights: $11,000
16-20 fights: $16,000
21+ fights: $21,000
Title challenger: $32,000
Champion: $42,000
This system compensates veterans and champions more for their long-standing commitments.
Dricus du Plessis Out-Earns Khamzat Chimaev
At UFC 319, Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev led the compliance pay list. But as champion, Du Plessis was paid $42,000, outpacing Chimaev’s $32,000 as a title challenger.
While that, veteran fighters such as Tim Elliott, Gerald Meerschaert, Jessica Andrade, and Edson Barboza hit the highest level for non-title bouts, each pocketing an extra $21,000.
UFC 319 Compliance Pay Breakdown
Khamzat Chimaev (9 bouts): $32,000
Dricus du Plessis (10 bouts): $42,000
Tim Elliott (21 bouts): $21,000
Gerald Meerschaert (24 bouts): $21,000
Jessica Andrade (30 bouts): $21,000
Edson Barboza (31 bouts): $21,000
Jared Cannonier (20 fights): $16,000
Michal Oleksiejczuk (17 fights): $16,000
Alexander Hernandez (16 fights): $16,000
Geoff Neal (13 fights): $11,000
Drakkar Klose (13 fights): $11,000
Chase Hooper (12 fights): $11,000
Lupita Godinez (14 fights): $11,000
Lerone Murphy (10 fights): $6,000
Carlos Prates (6 fights): $6,000
Karine Silva (6 fights): $6,000
Michael Page (4 fights): $4,500
Joseph Morales (4 fights): $4,500
Dione Barbosa (4 fights): $4,500
Aaron Pico (1 fight): $4,000
Kai Asakara (2 fights): $4,000
Baysangur Susurkaev (1 fight): $4,000
Eric Nolan (1 fight): $4,000
Alibi Idiris (1 bout): $4,000
UFC 319 Performance of the Night Bonuses
Unlike most shows with a Fight of the Night, UFC 319 had four fighters receive Performance of the Night bonuses ($50,000 per fighter):
Khamzat Chimaev – won by unanimous decision over Dricus du Plessis
Lerone Murphy – spinning elbow first-round KO of Aaron Pico
Carlos Prates – spinning elbow first-round KO of Geoff Neal
Tim Elliott – second-round submission victory over Kai Asakara
Major Takeaway from UFC 319
While Khamzat Chimaev got a career-best win, Dricus du Plessis still earned the larger compliance check. As veterans also made money at the top non-title level, UFC 319 noted that both newcomers and veteran fighters stand to gain from the structured pay system of the promotion.
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