In a move that has raised eyebrows across the mixed martial arts community, the UFC is currently auctioning off a luxury pendant that costs more than what many of its athletes earn per event. The auction’s current bid stands at $57,000, surpassing the purses of numerous competitors who stepped into the octagon at UFC 311.
The piece in question, dubbed the “UFC | Bixlers Special Edition Octagon Icon Pendant,” is being marketed as a collector’s item. According to the official auction description, it’s being promoted as “not just a piece of jewelry—it’s a collector’s treasure, a celebration of precision, and a tribute to excellence. This pendant is destined to become the crown jewel of any collection, offering its owner a tangible connection to the UFC’s legacy of greatness.”
The timing of this auction has sparked discussion within the MMA community, particularly when compared to the recently disclosed UFC 311 fighter compensation. Notable figures from the event include Islam Makhachev at $200,000, Jiri Prochazka at $250,000, and Jamahal Hill at $200,000. However, many athletes on the same card earned significantly less, with some receiving as little as $12,000 for their performances.
Prior to that currnnet champion Pantoja opened up on driving Uber when he got his title shot against Brandon Royval and I had no cash left.
“So, during this camp, I started to make Uber deliveries. That’s so crazy. Then, I hurt my ACL, but I still fought Royval after a long week of doing deliveries for Uber. I prayed to God to give me the strength to fight so I could get the purse to pay my bills. I won the fight and got a bonus. Then, I seriously injured my knee, and the UFC contacted me to say, ‘Do you want to fight Brandon Moreno’? I said, ‘No, I need six months to recover’. That’s the history behind my story. People can see my gold, but don’t see my bad times. My wife and kids help me. That makes me humble; it’s something my opponents don’t have. You can train wrestling, jiu-jitsu, boxing, but you can’t train for hard times in your life.”
Social media reaction to the auction has been predominantly critical, with fans and observers questioning the organization’s priorities. One comment gaining traction noted the irony of “paying $60 grand to wear a sports organization logo,” while others have described the item as “tacky” and questioned who might be the eventual buyer.
Industry analysts speculate the piece will likely be acquired by a high-profile social media personality or collector, though no front-runners have been identified thus far.
The auction continues to accept bids, with the UFC maintaining its position that this is an opportunity to “own a truly rare and luxurious piece that combines the world of high jewelry with the iconic spirit of UFC.”
