The UFC has given its fans possibly the best moments in all of MMA. It’s not about the knockouts or wins to fit this criteria. To earn these moments, both the titans who are clashing inside the octagon have to deliver their absolute best. But what would drive fighters to not just secure a win but put out a masterful performance? It was the extra reward that all the fighters on the card gave their all for.

Nowadays, however, the UFC has found itself in a new controversy, one that stays very close to the fans. Even though they carried exciting finishes, UFC 104, UFC 105, UFC Mexico City, and UFC London were four events in a row that did not have a single FOTN award given. While being a shameful feat to have for an organization, it is also a sign of a decline in the UFC’s product, which may not be generating money as much as it did before, and that too, right before UFC 314. Is UFC’s decline worse than what the organization is showing us?

Justin Gaethje to Charles Olivera, Derrick Lewis, and many more have built a reputation on earning these UFC Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night bonuses. These bonuses are the cherry on top of the cake for the winning fighter. Even if the organization is in decline, conducting practices like these not only disrespect a fighter but destroy the organization’s reputation too. Fans of the sport showed no mercy to the UFC boss, Dana White. Let’s read further to see how the fans reacted.

Fans triggered over the FOTN failure leave harsh truths for the UFC boss, Dana White

Although a disappointing stint from the UFC, this isn’t the first time they have done this. The same issue also occurred in 2015, where the streak went on to five fight cards, the only record still missing on the repeat this time. A fan commented on the issue saying: “90% of the fights through these 4 cards were boring af so” while another one said in a similar tone: “Hasn’t been a fight worth paying that for that’s it”. Implying that none of the fights on each of these cards had the x-factor to earn a bonus. Then, there were also comments like, “Safe to say 2024 was off to a way better start,” while some chose to blame the fighters. But many came to defend them, saying, “Holland vs Nelson was a banger,” while joining his side was another MMA enthusiast who said: “Only one that’s been worthy out of the four is kavanagh vs Dos Santos” emphasizing the importance of these awards.

While many chose to indulge in a verbal war, some fans dropped hilarious comments as well, like: “Dana’s pockets been hurting a lil, that power slap debt showing” as another fan said: “they started doing fight of the month bonuses” while one even commented: “That’s crazy, bring back Shane Burgos, he wouldn’t be letting this slide.” Giving us all some humorous relief from a rather serious issue.

The main source of UFC’s rise came from the motivation of the fighters, it will still come from the same source. Fans love to watch them compete and deliver inside the octagon. The bonuses are not only good news for the fighter, but a reason to fight better. The decline or the rise of any organization depends on the treatment of its members, in this case, fighters. With one leg into the future, the organization should look to prioritize its fundamental mistakes before stepping into the biggest spotlight. What do you think the future holds for the UFC?