Former multiple-time UFC champion TJ Dillashaw recently revealed that his inaugural championship victory came with unexpectedly modest compensation.
Back in 2014, Dillashaw clinched the UFC bantamweight title by defeating Renan Barao, who at the time was widely considered one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound athletes. Dillashaw impressively replicated this dominant performance against Barao the following year.
He later went on to secure the championship a second time, although a combination of injuries and a failed drug test significantly impacted his career trajectory. Despite these challenges, Dillashaw’s period of activity cemented his legacy as a crucial figure in the UFC’s bantamweight division.
In a recent podcast appearance, TJ Dillashaw elaborated on the surprisingly low financial reward associated with his first championship triumph.
Dillashaw Discusses Renan Barao Victory Earnings
“My life completely changed after beating Barao,” Dillashaw recounted on “The JAXXON Podcast.” He further explained, “I was still bound by ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ contract. I was fighting for a world title for just $18,000. Winning allowed me to break free from that contract. Typically, when you come off ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ you’re on a 10-fight contract starting at $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win, then it progresses to $14,000-$14,000 after three wins, and subsequently to $18,000-$18,000 after another three wins. So, I was getting $18,000 to appear and $18,000 to win against the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, and I genuinely shocked the world.”
While controversy justifiably surrounds aspects of Dillashaw’s career, there’s no denying that during his peak, he was among the finest bantamweight fighters in all of mixed martial arts. Although his legacy may always carry a blemish, any discussion of bantamweight legends like Dominick Cruz, Cody Garbrandt, or Henry Cejudo invariably includes TJ’s name, which stands as a testament to his significant accomplishments.