The UFC upped their bonuses for 2026, and it’s got fan-favorite fighter Edgar Chairez eager to debut under the new system.
Fight night bonuses in the UFC doubled from $50,000 to $100,000 starting this with year’s new era under Paramount. The UFC is keeping its standard bonuses – two Performance of the Night and one Fight of the Night bonus – while also adding $25,000 bonuses for any fighter who gets a finish, but isn’t one of the four big bonus winners.
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This got Chairez (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC), whose 12 career wins all have come by finish, excited about the potential of making some extra cash.
“I don’t even want to think about it because I would already think about the $50,000 bonuses, and I never got them,” Chairez told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “I’m simply preparing some old Dragon Ball tricks, and let’s see how things play out. I have (12) finishes. I think (nine) of those have been in the first round, so let’s keep searching for those and keep scoring them.
“I’m a finisher. A lot of people talk about statistics, and I feel unappreciated because nobody takes a look at my stats. But in my mind, I’m incredible. I’m the strongest man in the world. I just need to show it. I know something big is coming this year, and this year will be big for me, so let’s see what next level things come my way.”
Chairez is set to make his first walk to the octagon in 2026 at UFC Fight Night 268 on Feb. 28 in Mexico City. He takes on Felipe Bunes in a flyweight macthup. Not only is Chairez one to stop fights, but he also thinks this bout lends itself for something special.
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“He’s the perfect opponent,” Chairez said. “He’s a jiu-jitsu guy who doesn’t wrestle. He likes to throw down and exchange. I’m preparing for a good fight and to get a finish in front of my people – where I’ve won two fights. I’m aiming for the third. I see a lot of people getting ranked with just a couple of fights, and I have four first-round finishes (I count the no contest).
“If I don’t get in the rankings, hopefully I get someone ranked. I already fought the champion. But if that doesn’t come as well, whatever, I get paid the same either way and I just have to continue fighting and building my highlights for YouTube.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Edgar Chairez preparing ‘Dragon Ball tricks’ after UFC bonus increase
