The UFC revealed a brand new title belt design for its fighters in January 2019. Not to mention, some new traditions coming along with it as well. UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo was the first fighter to wear the new belt design. He had the title wrapped around his waist after defeating TJ Dillashaw in his first-ever title defense earlier this month.
There are mixed reviews about the new title, with some liking the new design, and some trashing it on social media. However, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping might have just hinted at why the promotion decided to make the change.
Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, Bisping said Rashad Evans once told him that Dana White mentioned it cost $300,000 to make a new UFC belt of the old design (via Fightful):
“Rashad Evans, former champion, has a belt at home,” Bisping said. “He was having a conversation with Dana White, Dana White told him that the old belts, the ones that we have are worth $300,000 each.
“That’s what Dana White told Rashad Evans. Mine’s just been gathering dust back there. There’s another one in the other room just gathering dust, if I’d known they were worth $600,000 between them I might get them insured for one and then they get stolen … I’m joking."