UFC Fighters begin to get paid Bitcoin for match bonuses.

The UFC, in tandem with Crypto.com, began paying its fighters bonuses in Bitcoin this past Saturday at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Saturday nights event was the first to use the new bonus system since the UFC signed its new 10-year, $175 Million deal with Crypto.com last year.

“Crypto.com has been an official UFC partner for less than a year, and i’m telling you, they are already one of the best partners we’ve ever had” UFC President Dana White said in a statement. 

This was the first event to utilize the Bitcoin payment bonuses.

As part of the partnership between the UFC, and Crypto.com, the fans will vote for the top three fighters based on their performances of the night. The bonuses include $30,000 for first place, $20,000 for second place, and lastly $10,000 for third place.

Voting will take place at the  Crytpo.com fan bonus page. The voting will end 60 minutes after the final fight of the night. Voters will be entered into a giveaway draw for the chance to win early access to UFC gift cards, a three month UFC fight pass, and NFT drops.

The initial event winners were fighters Khamzat Chimaev, Alexander Volkaovski, and Petr Yan, who won first, second, and third places respectively.