Full Breakdown
Jeremy Stephens’ Bonus Critique and Weight Miss Ahead of UFC 328
5/9/2026, 10:50:01 PM
Event Overview & Stakes
UFC 328 is scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main-card opener features lightweight veterans King Green (155 lb) versus Jeremy Stephens (weighed in at 160 lb). The bout will air on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass as part of a 13-fight card.
Weight-Miss Penalty
During the Friday weigh-ins, Stephens exceeded the non-title lightweight limit by four pounds. Under UFC policy, a fighter who misses weight forfeits 30 percent of his purse to his opponent and becomes ineligible for any post-fight bonuses. Consequently, Stephens will transfer 30 percent of his UFC 328 earnings to Green and cannot receive the $100,000 bonus pool.
Stephens’ Public Critique of the Bonus Structure
Stephens argued that the newly announced $100,000 post-fight bonuses represent only a cosmetic increase. He contended that the promotion already awarded comparable sums in 2007 and that fighters have not benefited proportionally from the UFC’s reported $1.1 billion annual revenue. Stephens called the system “corporate” and urged a return to larger payouts, citing a desire for $500,000 bonuses.
Official UFC Policy on Weight Misses
UFC regulations stipulate that any athlete who fails to make the contracted weight limit must surrender a portion of his fight purse—typically 30 percent—to the opponent and is barred from receiving discretionary post-fight bonuses. The policy is applied uniformly across all weight classes and events.
Conflicting Reports on Historical Bonus Amounts
Sources differ on the size of bonuses awarded at UFC 71. One account notes that UFC 71 officially distributed $40,000 bonuses, while Stephens claims he personally earned $75,000 bonuses that year. The discrepancy highlights a gap in publicly verified data regarding past bonus structures.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Now it is just corporations,” Stephens told Full Send MMA. “They are like, here you go, $50k here, $50k here, and now it is $100k, but they were already doing that in 2007 at UFC 71 when I started my UFC career. I was already making $75,000 bonuses. So, what the f—k happened to the money? Where is the budget guy on this, because the UFC is making all this money? Why aren’t we getting $500,000 bonuses?” — Jeremy Stephens, Fighter
- “Before the UFC sponsors took over, I had my own sponsors. Went out to dinner with these guys. I had relationships, communication, and networking. There was so much more availability that opened up bigger platforms. Now I get a check from someone I don’t even know, I’ve never even met, and they never thank me for representing their brand. So, I kinda miss that intimate relationship you have with the sponsors and their families. People who want to be there to support you. Now it is just a corporation,” — Jeremy Stephens, Fighter
- “I've been watching this sh*t since like fifth grade with my grandfather. I was like, 'Man, I want to do that.' To be doing it as long as I've done it, I know this is my calling. To get that calling taken away and then have it back, you have no idea what it feels like to be here.” — Jeremy Stephens, Fighter (MMA Junkie interview)
- “I'm becoming more psycho because I'm realizing it now,” Green said of the upcoming fight. — King Green, Fighter (MMA Junkie interview)
Broader Implications for Fighter Compensation
The forfeiture of 30 percent of Stephens’ purse and his exclusion from the bonus pool directly reduce his earnings for UFC 328. More broadly, his public criticism underscores ongoing concerns among fighters that bonus payouts have not kept pace with the UFC’s expanding revenue streams, fueling debate over equitable compensation models.
Upcoming Fight and Potential Outcomes
The Green-Stephens bout will proceed as scheduled, with the weight-miss penalties already applied. The event’s $100,000 bonus awards will be distributed to eligible fighters on the card, while Stephens’ eligibility remains barred. The fight’s result will determine whether Green receives the additional 30 percent purse share and may influence future discussions on weight-class enforcement and fighter pay.
