UFC 291 Update: Has Stephen Thompson Been Paid?

"Wonderboy" provides an update on his UFC 291 money situation.
UFC 291 Update: Has Stephen Thompson Been Paid?
UFC 291 Update: Has Stephen Thompson Been Paid? /

Stephen Thompson has revealed whether or not he's been paid for showing up at UFC 291.

Thompson was expected to take on Michel Pereira on the UFC 291 card in Salt Lake City. "Wonderboy" made weight for the planned 170-pound tilt, but Pereira did not. Thompson ultimately decided not to go through with the bout.

"Wonderboy" has not been paid his show money and UFC President Dana White said Thompson won't be getting that part of the purse. The UFC boss said he's working with Thompson's team on camp costs, but during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Unlocking The Cage," Stephen Thompson said no money has come his way.

Stephen Thompson looks on during his UFC 264 bout against Gilbert Burns.
(via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

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Here's what "Wonderboy" had to say about the money situation.

"You know, we sign a contract to make this much to show up, and then we sign a contract to make this much if we win," Thompson said. "Well, I showed up. I'm the one that made the weight, and it doesn't have to be the whole amount, but at least, man, the camp costs. Camp's not cheap, bringing people in, paying coaches. I gotta pay coaches that basically trained me for free for the past, well actually, I started my fight camp in April 'cause I was supposed to fight in June. I was supposed to fight on that Vancouver card, but they postponed it. So, I had this crazy long camp that they basically trained me for free."

Thompson said things are still in the works between his team and the UFC. "Wonderboy" remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached.

If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.

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Fernando Quiles Jr.
FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.