Watch: Jean Silva’s intervention urges Dana White to approve bonus shake-up for UFC 324 after fighter pay debate

UFC president Dana White has agreed to change part of the first UFC event of the year following heated comments from fighters during fight week. The blockbuster card will take place on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It also marks the UFC’s first event since signing a huge $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount+.The card is loaded with big names and major stakes. Paddy Pimblett headlines the event against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. A win could set up a future clash with undisputed champion Ilia Topuria. However, attention has shifted from the fights themselves to fighter pay and performance bonuses.https://www.reddit.com/r/ufc/comments/1qkdalc/jean_silva_just_got_dana_white_to_raise_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_buttonIn the build-up to the event, questions were raised about whether fighters should earn more following the new broadcast agreement. Justin Gaethje openly criticised the UFC, saying he would not earn any extra money despite fighting for a title. He also pointed out that, despite consistently earning bonuses in his career, he has never received a total of $1 million from them.When Dana White was asked during the final press conference whether bonuses could be increased for this event, he said he did not have a figure prepared at that moment. That response opened the door for other fighters to speak up.Heavyweight veteran Derrick Lewis, who is on the main card, suggested that bonuses should jump from the usual $50,000 to $324,000. He argued that the number would reflect UFC 324 being the promotion’s 324th major event.Jean Silva, who opens the main card against England’s Arnold Allen, went further. He told White that if the bonuses were increased, fans would see an unforgettable fight. Silva suggested that higher pay would bring out the best in both fighters. White immediately accepted the idea and confirmed that bonuses would be raised for the event. For many fighters, it could mean the biggest payout of their careers.Silva’s comments later caused debate online. Some fans felt his wording was insensitive. Others focused on the wider issue of fighters having to publicly push for fairer pay. Silva later explained that he was recently diagnosed with autism and believed Allen may also be on the spectrum.Allen has said he agrees that he could be autistic, although he has not been tested. He leaned into the storyline, saying their fight represents two different sides of the spectrum. He described Silva as loud and himself as quiet, adding that when they fight, it will feel like two superheroes colliding.With raised bonuses now confirmed, UFC 324 arrives with even more intensity inside and outside the cage.