UFC president Dana White made a thrilling announcement on Thursday, confirming that Hall of Famer Mark Coleman will be presenting the BMF championship to the winner of the Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway fight at UFC 300 on Saturday. This news comes in the wake of Coleman’s recent heroic rescue of his parents from a house fire in Toledo, Ohio, which left him in a medically induced coma for three days. Holloway, deeming Coleman as the “real life BMF,” extended an invitation to him for UFC 300, which Coleman gratefully accepted. The decision was finalized at the UFC 300 news conference, much to the delight of fans in attendance.
Record-Breaking Fight Night Bonuses
In addition to the exciting news about Mark Coleman, Dana White also announced a groundbreaking change to the fight night bonuses for UFC 300. The standard $50,000 bonuses were increased to a record-setting $300,000, following a lively exchange during the news conference. White, responding to a question about potential bonus increases, asked the fighters on stage what they wanted. After a boisterous back-and-forth, the decision was made to bump up the bonuses to $300,000. This impressive increase was met with enthusiasm from all parties involved, including Conor McGregor, who commended the UFC for their generosity.
Historical Context of Fight Night Bonuses
Before UFC 300, the largest fight night bonus in UFC history was $160,000, awarded to Diego Sanchez and Martin Kampmann for Fight of the Night at UFC on Versus 3 in 2011. Previous milestone events such as UFC 100 offered bonuses of $100,000, only to see a regression to the standard $50,000 bonuses at UFC 200. However, the monumental decision to elevate the bonuses to $300,000 for UFC 300 marks a significant moment in UFC history, demonstrating a continued commitment to rewarding the athletes for their incredible performances in the Octagon.
The announcement of Mark Coleman presenting the BMF championship and the unprecedented increase in fight night bonuses at UFC 300 are sure to make this event one to remember. The combination of legendary figures, thrilling matchups, and record-breaking bonuses sets the stage for an electrifying evening of MMA action.
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