Azamat Bekoev may be gaining a reputation as a deadly finisher inside the cage, but what he does beyond the Octagon is winning hearts. Bekoev received a $50,000 performance bonus for his second consecutive UFC win, a resounding first-round TKO over Ryan Loder at UFC Des Moines. It was his second fight in the promotion. However, unlike other fighters, who use the money gifted by Dana White to upgrade their lifestyle or cover training expenses, Bekoev had already decided long ago where the bonus would go: straight to his mother.
Back in January, during his UFC debut, Bekoev was asked by Krazy Kev MMA what he would do if he received a performance bonus. His response was not the typical discussion of cars, mansions, or costly vacations. He admitted openly that he was struggling financially as he was almost bankrupt, “I got a lot of holes. I was laying like this, wondering how I was going to pay for my car. I leased a car because my other car broke down, and I had like $15 left on my card.” However, in a move that no one saw coming, he said, “I think I’ll give it to my mom.” It wasn’t just a sentimental idea; it was a promise grounded in struggle and gratitude. Azamat Bekoev’s journey to the UFC was not easy, and each modest victory means a lot to those who supported him.
On Saturday night in Iowa, he finally got to make good on that promise, all thanks to Dana White. Despite Mason Jones and Jeremy Stephens’ spectacular three-round battle in the main event opener at UFC Des Moines, there was no Fight of the Night bonus awarded. Instead, four fighters were awarded performance-based bonuses. Cory Sandhagen, Reinier de Ridder, Quang Le, and Azamat Bekoev received bonus checks for their outstanding finishes from the UFC CEO. In the post-fight press conference, Bekoev didn’t hold back when questioned about the bonus: “I’m gonna give this bonus to my mom because she was care about a lot about me, help me a lot, and I’m gonna give her all the bonus.” The broken English could not hide the raw emotion. This was not a scripted line for the cameras. It was a son attempting to repay years of faith and sacrifice in the only manner he could.
Azamat Bekoev Has Mentioned in Both His UFC Post Fight Interviews He will Be Giving The 50K Bonus To His Mother
Bekoev mentioned after #UFCDesMoines he wants to do this for his Mother for always believing in him
Much Respect pic.twitter.com/HCvXK6mAte
— Kevin (@realkevink) May 5, 2025
Inside the cage, Azamat Bekoev is finding his groove, but outside of it, his story reminds fans that many fighters aren’t just battling opponents—they’re fighting for something far more personal. With names like Torrez Finney and Jack Hermansson on his radar, Bekoev’s rise up the middleweight ranks is gathering traction. But, whether he wins titles or not, he’s already achieved a success that most would envy: staying true to his roots and ensuring that the people who helped him get here benefit first. In fact, rather than just taking the $50,000 bonus and walking away, the fighter decided to give a gift to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard as a sign of respect.
Azamat Bekoev shows immense gratitude to the UFC top brass
Azamat Bekoev’s decision to gift his UFC bonus to his mother already presented a picture of a fighter who values loyalty and affection. But he did not stop there. In a rare display of humility amidst the mayhem of UFC Des Moines, Bekoev went out of his way to show respect to those who believed in his future within the company. After receiving the call from UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell and matchmaker Mick Maynard, Bekoev’s first reaction wasn’t just gratitude but the instinct to give something back. Not just any present, but one that is deeply ingrained in his culture and tradition.
In a video posted on Instagram, Bekoev’s face lights up with genuine surprise and pleasure after learning he had received the $50,000 bonus. However, what came after made it truly memorable. He brought up a classic Russian dagger—a sign of strength and dignity in his homeland—and asked where he could find Maynard and Campbell so he could present it to them in person. “Every real man have to have this,” he said with a grin and eyes full of sincerity. It wasn’t a flashy PR gimmick or an overly scripted thank you. It was a highly emotional moment that proved how much the opportunity and recognition from the UFC brass meant to him.
Mick Maynard was taken off guard, joking that he might not be able to get the dagger through security on his journey home. But something more significant happened during the exchange: Bekoev showed that, while he is in the fight game to climb rankings and make money, he is also here to bring his ideals into every room he enters. And in a sport where fighters frequently seek attention, Bekoev’s calm honesty and deep respect may be what set him apart in the long term. What do you think of him? Are you a fan of his humility? Let us know in the comments.
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