When the lights dimmed inside the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, it was meant to be a celebration, a homecoming of sorts for Brazilian MMA. Charles Oliveira’s redemption, Deiveson Figueiredo’s resilience, Jose Aldo’s emotional farewell, UFC Rio had all the ingredients of a historic night. But when the bonus list dropped, the mood shifted from celebration to outrage.

Despite nine finishes across the card, reports emerged that the UFC handed out only four $50,000 performance bonuses. The recipients? Charles Oliveira, Bia Mesquita, Julia Polastri, and Vitor Petrino. That’s when social media erupted. It’s not hard to see why. This card wasn’t just any Fight Night; it was a Brazilian showcase. Oliveira extended multiple all-time UFC records with most finishes (21), most submissions (17), and most Performance of the Night bonuses (14), while Mesquita announced herself as a future star by tapping out ‘Russian Ronda.’

Even the prelims brought fireworks, with six stoppages before the main card had even begun. Yet, somehow, UFC Rio saw no ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus, and only four fighters were rewarded financially for their efforts. For Oliveira, the main event capped a flawless comeback. He submitted Mateusz Gamrot in Round 2, maintaining a spotless 18-0 record in Brazil. But while ‘Do Bronx’ made history, fans were equally vocal about the fighters who didn’t get recognition.

And then there was the sentimental side of the night, Jose Aldo’s final walkout. After announcing his retirement back in May, the former featherweight king laid down his gloves in the Octagon, surrounded by family, fans, and tears. It was a reminder of Brazil’s storied MMA legacy, the very reason this card carried so much emotion. But the UFC’s minimal bonus pool made many feel like the fighters who carried that spirit weren’t compensated accordingly. Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say!

Fans blast the UFC as Charles Oliveira’s record-breaking performance in Rio gets lost amidst bonus debate

One fan fired off bluntly with, “Cheapskate UFC again gives only 4 bonuses on a 9-finish night.” It was the prevailing sentiment online. Nine finishes in one night, almost 70% of the card, yet only four fighters were rewarded. Fans argued that the UFC’s bonuses should reflect the level of excitement and danger the athletes put themselves through. Instead, the limited payout made the event feel more like cost-cutting than celebration.

Another fan added, “Aswell should of got one, but I’ve seen them rob people much worse.” Michael Aswell’s first-round TKO over Lucas Almeida was brutal and precise, the kind of highlight reel finish that usually earns a check from the company. His exclusion sparked outrage among those who felt the company was playing favorites. Still, as the fan cynically pointed out, this isn’t the first time the UFC has overlooked deserving performances.

Someone else chimed in with, “Polastri but not Filho, got it.” Julia Polastri’s TKO win over veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz was undeniably impressive, but many argued Jafel Filho’s submission deserved equal credit. Filho’s slick kimura finish in the first round over Clayton Carpenter showed elite technique, yet he was left empty-handed. It reignited a familiar debate: Does technical mastery even count in the UFC’s performance bonus calculations? What do you think?

Another fan questioned, “Where is the fight of the night?” A glaring omission. Usually, the UFC rewards one back-and-forth war with the ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus, but Rio saw none, and it reinforced the growing feeling that UFC leadership undervalued the athletes’ grit on a night meant to honor it.

One fan pointed out, “Ofli deserved one, big upset.” Kaan Ofli’s first-round submission over Ricardo Ramos was a massive underdog victory, yet his breakthrough went unnoticed. Fans felt it was a missed opportunity for the UFC to reward not just skill, but heart, as with the finish, ‘Genghis’ snapped a 2-fight losing streak at UFC Rio!

And finally, another blasted the choice directly by writing, “Vitor Petrino did not deserve a performance bonus after gassing 4 minutes and 37 seconds into the fight.” While Petrino’s third-round knockout was devastating, many questioned whether his sluggish performance deserved recognition over more composed showings. Some fans accused the UFC of prioritizing spectacle over stamina, seemingly handing bonuses to ‘the last big punch’ rather than the most complete performance.

For all the greatness UFC Rio produced with Charles Oliveira’s history-making win, Mesquita’s flawless debut, and Jose Aldo’s tearful goodbye, the night ended with an aftertaste of disappointment. The performances were there. The finishes were there. But the appreciation? That, according to fans, was missing. Because in a sport built on blood, sweat, and sacrifice, the least the company can do, especially on a night like UFC Rio, is open the checkbook a little wider!