Tag: Zhang Mingyang

Every UFC newcomer in 2024: Full list of over 100 debuting fighters

Check out the names and records of each fighter who made their UFC debut in 2024.

Every year, the UFC welcomes new faces to the promotion.

Some will become ranked fighters, future title challengers, and possibly champions. A couple of names have already made a significant impact in their debut year.

Kayla Harrison, who is ranked No. 2 by the promotion in the women’s bantamweight division, is likely next up for a title shot. Carlos Prates claimed No. 14 in the welterweight division after ripping through four opponents.

On the flip side, unfortunately, some of the names will fizzle out and look to continue their careers in other promotions.

In 2024, the new names and faces reached triple digits, totaling 103. Those fighters went 46-57. Debuting fighters who faced an opponent with at least one bout of UFC experience went 29-39.

Check out the full list of debuting fighters and their records below:

UFC debuting fighters in 2024

  • [autotag]Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]AJ Cunningham[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag] (9-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Angel Pacheco[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Antonio Trocoli[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Baergeng Jieleyisi[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bekzat Almakhan[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bernardo Sopaj[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bolaji Oki[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag] (16-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carli Judice[/autotag] (3-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Changho Lee[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Charalampos Grigoriou[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Chris Padilla[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cody Haddon[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Connor Matthews[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cortavious Romious[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Danny Barlow[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Danny Silva[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dariya Zheleznykova[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dione Barbosa[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]DongHun Choi[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dylan Budka[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ernesta Kareckaite[/autotag] (5-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Fatima Kline[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Felipe Bunes[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Felipe Lima[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Feng Xiaocan[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Hyder Amil[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Igor Severino[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ivan Erslan[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]James Llontop[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jean Silva[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jordan Vucenic[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jose Medina[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jose Ochoa[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Julia Polastri[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kaan Ofli[/autotag] (11-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kiru Sahota[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Klaudia Sygula[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Lucas Rocha[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Luis Pajuelo[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Magomed Gadzhiyasulov[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]MarQuel Mederos[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mitch Ramirez[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mitch Raposo[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nathan Fletcher[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Navajo Stirling[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nikolay Veretennikov[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nyamjargal Tumendemberel[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Oumor Sy[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Pedro Falcao[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Puja Tomar[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Quang Le[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ramazan Temirov[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ramon Taveras[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Rei Tsuruya[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Reinier de Ridder[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robert Bryczek[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag] (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ronaldo Rodriguez[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Sean Sharaf[/autotag] (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Serhiy Sidey[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Shi Ming[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Stephanie Luciano[/autotag] (6-1-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Stewart Nicoll[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]SuYoung You[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Thomas Petersen[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Timmy Cuamba[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Tom Nolan[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Tuco Tokkos[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Valter Walker[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Vinicius Oliveira[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Xiao Long[/autotag] (27-9 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Yi Zha[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zachary Scroggin[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zygimantas Ramaska[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Zhang Mingyang eyes bigger contracts, bigger names, bigger wins after UFC Macau

Zhang Mingyang only has one certainty in his fighting life so far: If he walks away hand up, it’ll be after quick work.

[autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] only has one certainty in his fighting life so far: If he walks away hand up, it’ll be after quick work.

That was the case again Saturday when Mingyang (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) tore through Ozzy Diaz (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in less than a half-round to open up the main card at UFC Fight Night 248 in Macau. Mingyang’s light heavyweight knockout finish came courtesy of a lethal elbow that he said was something he planned on having available.

“I prepared so many weapons in my arsenal – this is one of them,” Mingyang told the UFC through a translator after his win. “When I studied my opponent, I felt there was a big hole when he throws his cross – and there was a chance I can throw an elbow to hurt him, and I did it.”

Mingyang’s win came in front of his home fans in China and also scored his second straight Performance of the Night bonus for an extra $50,000.

It also extended the 26-year-old’s impressive overall record of first-round finishes in all 18 of his pro wins. And that definitely put a spark into the fans.

“It’s kind of like I achieved my little dream – because I always wanted to fight in China to entertain my people at home,” Mingyang said. “I know they waited for a UFC event for such a long time. They can feel the energy of a UFC fight, the atmosphere, and be entertained – and I’m very happy I did that. I made them happy. I’m very happy about that.”

Now that he’s got his proverbial sea legs in the promotion two fights in, the former Road to UFC contestant is starting to look at the bigger picture. In 2025, he wants the kinds of opponents that lead to more money, more prestige and the kind of resume that puts him into title consideration at light heavyweight.

“There are so many plans in my mind, but I think next year, please – I’m looking forward to some big things. UFC – I deserve a bigger contract. I deserve a bigger opponent, a bigger fight,” Mingyang said. “If you give me a ‘money’ fight, I can fight anyone in this division.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

UFC Fight Night 248 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Deiveson Figueiredo’s $16,000 leads way

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out $30 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

MACAU – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 248 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $160,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 248 took place at Galaxy Arena. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 248 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Muslim Salikhov[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Song Kenan[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Gabriella Fernandes[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Su Young You[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Balgyn Jenisuly[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Dong Hoon Choi[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kiru Sahota[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ming Shi[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Xiaocan Feng[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Carlos Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Nyamjargal Tumendemberel[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jose Ochoa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Xiao Long[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Quang Le[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nikolas Motta[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Hayisaer Maheshate[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2481 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $7,703,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $30,440,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

UFC Fight Night 248 video: Zhang Mingyang crushes Ozzy Diaz to keep perfect finish rate

Zhang Mingyang scored a beautiful elbow knockout of Ozzy Diaz at UFC Macau.

[autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] showed once again that he is a force in the opening round when he put [autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag] away in highlight-reel fashion at UFC Fight Night 248.

Mingyang (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) maintained his rate of finishing his opponent in the first round in all of his career wins when a perfect short left elbow dropped Diaz (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and led to a flurry of ground-and-pound to end the light heavyweight bout less than 3 minutes in at Galaxy Arena in Macau.

The crowd went wild for Mingyang’s handiwork, and you can check out the replay of it below (via X):

Afterward, the 26-year-old Mingyang delivered an enthusiastic post-fight interview in which he said he is looking forward to big things from his future at 205 pounds.

“This knockout is for you, for the hometown crowd,” Mingyang said through an interpreter in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I want two bonuses – two bonuses, because I deserve it. Hey Dana (White), I want the top 15. I want the title fight. I want the money fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 248

Ozzy Diaz and Zhang Mingyang look to establish their names at 205 pounds. How long will the UFC Macau main card opener last?

[autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] meet Saturday on the UFC Fight Night 248 main card at Galaxy Arena in Macau. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 4-1
UFC main cards, 2024: 99-90-3

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 preview

Diaz (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut in a main card opening spot. After a failed audition on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Diaz navigated his way to the UFC by picking up two stoppage wins in 2024 under the LFA banner. … Zhang (17-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) enters on a double-digit winning streak, and will look to extend it further in his second UFC appearance. In February, Zhang debuted with a first-round finish of Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 298.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 expert pick, prediction

Despite having a guaranteed lightweight action fight between Hayisaer Maheshate and Nicholas Motta stuck on the prelims, the UFC matchmakers decided to kick off the main card with a light heavyweight bout between Zhang and Diaz.

Outside of the UFC brass’ penchant for force-feeding us lower-level big guy brawls on Fight Night cards, I suspect that these two get this quietly important spot due to their do-or-die nature.

Zhang is primarily a first-round finisher and seems like the type of talent who is ripe to start stinking up the joint with slogfests as soon as he starts experiencing any sort of a step up in competition.

Whereas Diaz, who doesn’t have as many fights on paper as Zhang does, is arguably more experienced than the Chinese fighter given what he’s seen on the regional scene.

If Diaz were a bit more durable, then I’d probably take a flier on him as an underdog. But will volatility being equal, I’ll reluctantly side with the more dynamic finisher who doesn’t have to travel for a home-soil fight.

The pick is Zhang by knockout in Round 1.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Chinese fighter, listing Zhang -340 and Diaz +260 via FanDuel.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 start time, how to watch

As the main card opener, Diaz and Zhang are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 6:10 a.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Zhang Mingyang planning renaissance for big Chinese MMA fighters, calls out Tyson Pedro after UFC 298

Zhang Mingyang picked up a $50,000 performance bonus in his promotional debut for a first-round knockout of Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 298.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – [autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] beat Brendson Ribeiro with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 298 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Take a look inside the fight with Mingyang, who picked up a $50,000 performance bonus in his promotional debut.

UFC 298 medical suspensions: Henry Cejudo among 9 fighters suspended 180 days

Nine UFC 298 competitors are out a potential 180 days due to injuries sustained in their fights Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.

Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event in Anaheim, Calif. was not a good night to be a limb.

UFC 298 took place at Anaheim, Calif. and featured 12 bouts and 24 fighters. Nine of those fighters were handed six-month suspensions as a result of injuries sustained in their bouts. Eight of those potential injuries were deemed possible fractures.

Monday, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster, who oversaw the event, provided MMA Junkie with a full list of medical suspensions.

Scroll below to see how much time UFC 298 competitors will have to take off as a result of their bouts Saturday. It’s important to note fighters may return before the conclusion of their suspensions if they are cleared by a physician (unless denoted “no exception” or “mandatory”).

UFC 298 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria makes history with title coronation

The best facts to come out of UFC 298, which saw a number of historic feats, including Ilia Topuria’s title KO of Alexander Volkanovski.

The UFC’s second pay-per-view of 2024 was a memorable one, with UFC 298 on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., seeing a changing of the guard in the featherweight division.

In the main event, [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) became the new featherweight champion when he delivered on his promise to knock out longtime titleholder [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC), which he did in the second round of their fight to claim gold.

For more on the numbers to come out of the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 298.

UFC 298 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Alexander Volkanovski’s $42,000 tops card

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 298 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $252,000.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 298 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $243,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 298 took place at Honda Center. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 298 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Marcos Rogerio de Lima[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Junior Tafa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Rinya Nakamura[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Danny Barlow[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josh Quinlan[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Val Woodburn[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]: $11,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,093,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $23,800,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 video: Zhang Mingyang obliterates Brendson Ribeiro with 3-punch combo in debut

“The Mountain Tiger” instantly made his presence felt in the light heavyweight division at UFC 298.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – “The Mountain Tiger” has made his presence felt in the UFC light heavyweight division.

In front of a nationally televised ESPN audience, [autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] capped off a scintillating promotional debut with a vicious knockout of Brendson Ribeiro on Saturday at UFC 298 from Honda Center.

The finish came at the 1:41 mark of the first round when Mingyang (17-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) perfectly timed a counter left hand that resulted in a beautiful three-punch combo to sendRibeiro (15-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) crashing to the canvas. A couple of follow-up hammerfists followed, although they weren’t needed, to force the referee to stop the fight.

Take a look at the finish in the video below (via X):

Mingyang, 25, was making history as the first light heavyweight fighter from China to compete in the UFC. Now he’s the first Chinese 205 pounder to score a victory.

He was hyped after the win and called out champion Alex Pereira for UFC 300. That’s getting ahead of himself, but Mingayang could make some noise in the division soon enough.

[lawrence-related id=2715774,2716270,2715778]

Up-to-the-minute UFC 298 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.