UFC Seattle Payouts: Song Yadong Banks $320,000 for Controversial Eye Poke Win

The financial details from the recent UFC event in Seattle have been disclosed, revealing significant payouts for several fighters, including Song Yadong, who earned a substantial $320,000 for his controversial victory over Henry Cejudo. The event, which featured a mix of thrilling finishes and contentious decisions, highlighted the financial rewards that come with competing at the highest level in mixed martial arts.

Cejudo-Song was stopped after the fourth round continued and was taken into decision after the three rounds due to eye pokes that rendered Cejudo unable to continue.

Song Yadong won by technical decision. #UFCSeattle pic.twitter.com/TzsouoAo6m

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 23, 2025

Song Yadong Takes Home Massive Payday

The payouts from UFC Seattle provide insight into the financial landscape of professional MMA, where fighters can earn substantial amounts based on their performance and popularity. Song Yadong’s $320,000 payout is particularly noteworthy, given the controversy surrounding his win. Yadong’s victory was marred by an accidental eye poke that left Simón unable to continue, leading to a no-contest being initially considered before the decision was ultimately changed to a technical knockout in Yadong’s favor.

Per WSDOL, Disclosed purses for the fighters on the #UFCSeattle card.

Jean Silva, Ricky Simón, Alonzo Menifield & Julius Walker each also won $50K post fight bonuses.

Again, this is only what was disclosed. pic.twitter.com/GcwW261Nme

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 7, 2025

This payout underscores the complexities of MMA compensation, where fighters can benefit financially from victories, regardless of the circumstances. While some might argue that Yadong’s win was tainted by the eye poke, the financial reality is that he still earned a significant amount for his efforts. This situation highlights the need for clear rules and consistent officiating in MMA to ensure fairness and transparency.

UFC Seattle Disclosed Payouts

Other notable payouts from the event included significant earnings for fighters who delivered impressive performances. These figures demonstrate the UFC’s commitment to rewarding fighters for their hard work and dedication, both in and out of the octagon. However, they also raise questions about the distribution of wealth in MMA, where top performers often receive a disproportionate share of the revenue.

• Song Yadong $320K
• Henry Cejudo $150K
• Anthony Hernandez $144K
• Brendan Allen $210K
• Rob Font $320K
• Jean Matsumoto $26K
• Jean Silva $90K
• Melsik Baghdasaryan $35K
• Alonzo Menifield $240K
• Julius Walker $12K
• Ion Cutelaba $190K
• Ibo Aslan $35K
• Melquizael $48K
• Andre Fili $110K
• Mansur Abdul-Malik $24K
• Nick Klein $10K
• Ricky Simon $160K
• Javid Basharat $30K
• Austin Vanderford $30K
• Nikolay Veretennikov $12K
• Nursulton Ruziboev $74K
• Eric McConico $12K
• Modestas Bukauskas $96K
• Rafael Cerqueira $10K

The payouts from UFC Seattle offer a glimpse into the financial dynamics of professional MMA. While they highlight the potential for significant earnings, they also underscore the complexities and challenges faced by fighters and promoters alike. As MMA continues to grow in popularity, addressing these issues will be crucial for ensuring that the sport remains fair, competitive, and financially sustainable for all involved.