Cody Haddon delivered one of the most impressive finishes at UFC Macau, but it still was not enough to earn him a coveted performance bonus.
The Australian bantamweight made a huge statement at Galaxy Arena on Saturday night, stopping local favorite Aoriqileng with a brutal second-round knee to the liver in a dominant display.
The finish marked Cody Haddon’s first Octagon appearance since October 2024 and improved his professional record to 9-1. It was also his second UFC victory since earning his contract through Dana White’s Contender Series.
While the win itself was massive, Cody Haddon made it clear that he was hoping for more than just another notch in the win column.
During his post-fight interview with UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, Haddon made an emotional plea for one of the UFC’s $100,000 performance bonuses.
“I’m super broke. I have no money,” Cody Haddon said.“Please, I deserve a bonus. I just came into enemy territory and put on a show like that.
“You know when you book me to fight, I’m coming in to kill or be killed. Please, let me be compensated.”
The victory already secured Cody Haddon a $25,000 finish bonus, but the Australian hoped his performance would land him an additional six-figure reward.
Instead, the UFC awarded the “Performance of the Night” bonuses to Song Yadong and Kai Asakura, while Alonzo Menifield and Zhang Mingyang split “Fight of the Night” honors after their thrilling co-main event battle.
That left Cody Haddon empty-handed despite producing one of the card’s most memorable finishes.
Many fans and analysts have long debated whether openly asking for a bonus hurts a fighter’s chances of receiving one. The theory has gained traction over the years, with some believing UFC executives are less likely to reward public pleas.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently addressed the issue on his podcast, criticizing the fact that fighters often feel forced to ask for additional compensation.
“I hate all of it,” Rogan said. “I hate people having to ask for bonuses. The money is there, right? We know the money is there. This is a $7 billion deal with Paramount. I’m not a businessman, but I feel like if I owned the UFC, I wouldn’t feel good if people didn’t feel compensated correctly.”
For Cody Haddon, the disappointment of missing out on bonus money will sting, especially after such a long wait between fights.
Still, his performance at UFC Macau sent a strong message to the bantamweight division.
The 27-year-old showed composure, aggression, and finishing instincts against a dangerous opponent in hostile territory. More importantly, Cody Haddon proved he belongs on the UFC stage.
Even without the extra paycheck, his stock continues to rise. If he keeps producing performances like this, it may not be long before Cody Haddon forces his way into the UFC bantamweight rankings and eventually into much bigger paydays.
