Combate Global implements fight night bonuses only for COVID-vaccinated athletes

Combate Global is taking a unique approach to encourage its fighters to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Wednesday, fighters and their teams received a memo from senior vice president Mike Afromowitz announcing the promotion’s plan to implement fight night bonuses for the two participants who compete in the best bout of each card. MMA Junkie obtained a copy of the memo from a person who asked to remain anonymous.

Participants in the Combate Global equivalent of the UFC’s “Fight of the Night” bonus, which is deemed “Senor Cambell’s Verdict” (named after CEO Campbell McLaren) will receive a $1,000 bonus in addition to their fight purse. In order to be eligible for the bonus, a fighter must be fully vaccinated with either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They must also present their COVID-19 vaccination card and test positive for antibodies from a pre-fight test.

“As you are aware, we have been encouraging and incentivizing fighters and their respective corner people to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, and are happy to help secure appointments for any fighters and corners that need assistance doing so,” Afromowitz wrote.

Attached to the memo was a list of the promotion’s protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated athletes, which can be read here. Fighters who are vaccinated will largely proceed normally through fight week, whereas unvaccinated athletes will be required to partake in testing, quarantining and a handful of restrictions.

Let me get this straight. You have to be fully vaxed to get the bonus? That’s going against the industry trend. @combateglobal https://t.co/Mbn7TL8gNx

— Campbell McLaren (@campbellcombate) September 1, 2021

Combate Global returns Friday with a card in Miami headlined by former Bellator standout Ricky Bandejas (14-5) as he battles surging Spaniard Kevin Cordero (11-2).