The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) says it will start paying a new bonus to competitors in Bitcoin (BTC).
The Bitcoin payouts are the result of a new partnership between the mixed martial arts organization and the Crypto.com trading platform and app.
UFC says the Bitcoin payouts will be awarded to the top three fighters on every UFC pay-per-view event as decided by fan votes, with a total of $60,000 U.S. split between the winners.
The first, second, and third-place fighters will be awarded $30,000 U.S., $20,000 U.S. and $10,000 U.S. of Bitcoin, respectively, which will be funded 100% by Crypto.com.
The UFC said it plans to retain its traditional cash bonuses as well for the night’s best fight and individual performances.
The average annual earnings of a UFC fighter last year were $160,000 U.S., according to The Sports Daily website. So, five-figure bonuses paid in Bitcoin could be valuable to many fighters.
Crypto.com has become an official partner of the UFC in a 10-year deal worth $175 million U.S., which was signed last summer. Crypto.com also has deals in place with professional soccer, basketball, hockey and motor racing.
Additionally, Crypto.com secured the naming rights to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home to both of the city's NBA basketball teams (Lakers and Clippers), as well as the NHL's L.A. Kings hockey team.
More recently, Crypto.com became an official sponsor of the 2022 FIFA World Cup that’s taking place in Qatar this November and December.
