Justin Gaethje reaches almost $2m in bonuses after $825,000 Ilia Topuria win at UFC White House

Justin Gaethje made a whopping $825,000 in bonuses from his win over Ilia Topuria this past weekend at UFC White House.

The American beat up the previously undefeated Topuria in the main event of the historic card to claim the undisputed UFC lightweight title for the first time.

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It was a round apiece heading into the third, but Gaethje utilised his fierce jab to piece up ‘El Matador’ on the feet, leaving the champion’s face a mess and forcing him to retire on his stool before the fifth.

After UFC CEO Dana White celebrated the event’s conclusion alongside US President Donald Trump in the Octagon, the boss announced Gaethje had bagged two bonuses from his win.

Here comes the money!

Gaethje was awarded the sole Fight of the Night (FOTN) bonus on the night, securing a Performance of the Night (POTN), too, alongside Ciryl Gane, who defeated Alex Pereira in the co-main event.

‘The Highlight’ now has the most FOTN bonuses in the promotion’s history, with 11, and his career earnings from bonuses alone stand at almost $2million.

Bonuses for the White House event, billed as UFC Freedom 250 to celebrate the anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, were upped to $400,000 and $425,000 for FOTN and POTN, respectively.

They usually stand at $100,000 each, which increased from $50,000 when the UFC moved exclusively to Paramount+ and CBS as part of a $7.7billion broadcast deal.

But with the increased number, Gaethje walked away with a grand total of $825,000, while Topuria still made $400,000 for his role in the FOTN.

Gaethje will, of course, have earned far more than just his bonus money, taking into account his base purse, estimated to be around $500,000 per fight, and sponsorships.

It is, however, the biggest lump sum he’s made in his entire career, with his UFC bonus earnings now totalling $1,825,000.

All in all, Gaethje has bagged 17 fight-night bonuses in 16 appearances following his knockout of Michael Johnson on his 2017 debut.

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Before UFC White House, the American’s biggest bonus was $300,000 for his clash with Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024.

White had increased the bonuses for the landmark card, and Gaethje’s loss to Holloway with just one second left on the clock was an instant FOTN winner.

‘The Highlight’ then bagged another $100,000 for his FOTN with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January.

Gaethje defeated Pimblett by unanimous decision on the first card of the UFC’s deal with Paramount+ to claim the interim lightweight title, and he’s now the undisputed king.

Speaking to UFC on Paramount+ after his victory, Gaethje shared his thoughts on a rematch with Topuria in the future.

“I am such a huge fan of this kid, but where do you go back from here?” Gaethje said.

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“It’s gonna be very tough to climb back. I’ve never had the mindset he had.

“I never thought myself unbeatable. I said it from day one, ‘I’m going to get knocked out.’

“I don’t want to say anything bad about this guy. He was a world champion, but he’s in the hospital right now, and I’m not.

“I would say definitely not a rematch – I made him quit.”

Gaethje’s most likely destination for his next fight is a first defence of the lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan.