Dana White obliges Tony Ferguson, increases UFC 262 bonuses to $75,000

HOUSTON – Everything is bigger in Texas, including UFC fight night bonuses.

UFC president Dana White heard Tony Ferguson’s request and has decided to increase the UFC 262 bonuses from the usual $50,000 to $75,000, promotion officials confirmed to MMA Junkie on Friday. Combate was the first to report the change.

“(Last time when I fought in Houston), we were here for the performance-bonus meeting,” Ferguson said to White at Thursday’s pre-fight news conference. “(Travis Browne) said, ‘You know, everything is bigger in Texas, Dana, right?’ Right, you remember that? He said, ‘How about a bigger bonus?’ So, I’m going to ask you, Dana. Since we are here, like last time, can we have a bigger bonus this time?”

That got a rousing reaction from fans in attendance and apparently resonated with the UFC boss.

The 50 percent increase is a one-time deal. After UFC 262, bonuses will return to the normal $50,000 for “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night.”

UFC 262 takes place Saturday at Toyota Center. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

Check out the fighters who will have the chance to earn an increased bonus at tomorrow’s event in the lineup below:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

• Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler – for vacant lightweight title
• Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson
• Rogerio Bontorin vs. Matt Schnell
• Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian
• Edson Barboza vs. Shane Burgos

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)

• Andre Muniz vs. Ronaldo Souza
• Mike Grundy vs. Lando Vannata
• Jamie Pickett vs. Jordan Wright
• Andrea Lee vs. Antonina Shevchenko

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

• Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany
• Kevin Aguilar vs. Tucker Lutz
• Christos Giagos vs. Sean Soriano