Best-Paid Fighters in UFC History

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has evolved into a globally recognized mixed martial arts organization with significant commercial influence. Fighter compensation differs considerably based on contractual terms, competitive standing, pay-per-view participation, and external sponsorship arrangements. This article presents a neutral and structured examination of leading earners, how much do UFC fighters make per fight, and the wider financial framework that shapes MMA fighter salary models. For audiences who follow events through regulated betting markets but prefer alternative forms of gaming entertainment, some may choose to find the best online casinos in Canada, provided they do so within legal frameworks and with attention to responsible gambling practices.

How Much Do UFC Fighters Make Per Fight?

Compensation typically includes several components:

• Base pay (show money)

• Win bonus

• Performance bonuses

• Pay-per-view (PPV) share for select athletes

• Sponsorship agreements

Entry-level fighters may earn between $10,000 and $30,000 to show, while established contenders and champions negotiate significantly higher contracts. Discussions around how much does UFC fighters make often overlook that disclosed figures may exclude private sponsorships and PPV points.

Typical UFC Fighter Salary Per Fight

Figures vary depending on contract terms and event scale.

Highest-Paid UFC Fighters (Reported Career Estimates)

Publicly available reports and disclosed purses indicate that several athletes have earned multi-million-dollar totals across their careers.

These estimates reflect disclosed fight purses and do not include external business ventures.

Canadian UFC fighters such as Georges St-Pierre have played a major role in elevating global interest in the sport, contributing to commercial growth and international fan engagement.

Israel Adesanya UFC earnings: $11,500,000

‘The Last Style Bender’ has rarely fought outside of UFC main events in recent years and that placement has seriously helped the former two-time middleweight titleholder’s bank balance. He became one of the company’s biggest stars after successfully defending the 185-pound belt on five occasions. Even though he is now on a three-fight losing skid, Adesanya’s enduring popularity is likely to see him in more high-profile contests, even if championship gold is not on the line.

Islam Makhachev UFC earnings: $12,174,000

Makhachev stormed into the top 10 on the back of his UFC 322 payday after beating Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight championship. A former lightweight titleholder who vacated the gold without ever losing a championship bout at 155lbs, Islam is one of just a handful of fighters to hold championships in two separate weight classes. Having headlined multiple pay-per-view events over the past three years, Makhachev has earned a fortune inside the Octagon, and he’s still got a whole new set of opponents to fight at 170lbs where he could potentially increase his wealth.

Brock Lesnar UFC earnings: $13,295,000

The only man in history to ever hold heavyweight championships in both WWE and the UFC, Lesnar’s wealth is vast. As a result, he was exceptionally well-paid whenever he competed for the promotion. However, when the company wanted to bring Lesnar in from the WWE to fight in the co-main event of UFC 200, he was reportedly offered an $8 million purse. Naturally, Brock took the deal and faced Mark Hunt in a three-round bout. Despite rumours occasionally doing the rounds that he might return, Lesnar never fought again. His days in the Octagon are now firmly behind him.

Stipe Miocic UFC earnings: $13,600,000

Widely considered to be the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, Miocic has mixed it up with some of the biggest names in the history of the division. The Cleveland native boasts an impressive resume, with victories over the likes of Daniel Cormier and Francis Ngannou. However, while Stipe made around $750,000 for those fights, his largest fight purse came in what would turn out to be the final fight of his career. Miocic was paid in excess of $4 million to face Jon Jones at UFC 309. Although he lost the bout via third-round stoppage, the former champion showed great heart as he challenged arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and finished his story inside the fabled Madison Square Garden in New York.

Jon Jones UFC earnings: $17,200,000

UFC CEO Dana White insists that Jones is the greatest fighter to ever set foot inside the Octagon and so it’s no surprise to see that he was paid handsomely for his work. A two-weight world champion, ‘Bones’ reigned as the king of the light-heavyweight division before making the move to heavyweight, where he won the UFC title in his first fight. The move up in weight also saw a sharp rise in pay, as Jones earned $3 million for his first-round submission of Ciryl Gane. A payday in excess of $6 million followed in his first defence against Stipe Miocic. Fans around the world wanted to see Jones face off with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall, but the American veteran refused to take the fight – instead choosing to vacate the gold.

Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC earnings: $22,900,000

Khabib sits in second place in these rankings, despite retiring in his prime while still the UFC Lightweight Champion in 2021. ‘The Eagle’ established himself as one of the biggest names in UFC history thanks to his bitter rivalry with Conor McGregor. The pair’s UFC 229 showdown was the most purchased pay-per-view event ever offered by the promotion and Nurmagomedov was paid well for his part in helping make the bout such a success. The same was true for title defences against Dustin Poirer and Justin Gaethje that followed. Khabib isn’t a man who is motivated by money, but he undoubtedly left a significant sum on the table when he hung up his gloves.

Conor McGregor UFC earnings: $39,300,000

There was one ever going to be one man at the head of this list. While his earnings of $40 million inside the Octagon are just the start of his vast wealth, ‘The Notorious’ still ranks as the best paid fighter in the UFC by quite some distance. Of the top 10 individual fighter payouts in company history, the Irishman can lay claim to five of them. McGregor has earned fortunes facing the likes of Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz and Eddie Alvarez. His lead at the top of these rankings would be even greater if it were not for the fact that he hasn’t competed for more than four years. However, even if he never fights again, the two-division UFC champion is already financially set for life.

Betting Markets and Regulatory Context

UFC events are commonly featured in regulated sports betting markets. Understanding UFC betting rules is essential for interpreting wagers responsibly.

UFC Betting Rules Overview

When reviewing UFC betting odds explained, it is important to understand implied probability and bookmaker margin. Additionally, UFC round betting rules specify that wagers are settled based on official bout results confirmed by the athletic commission.

Betting participation carries financial risk. Individuals should follow responsible gambling principles, including setting limits and ensuring activity complies with local regulations. Gambling outcomes are uncertain, and no strategy guarantees returns.

Conclusion

The compensation structure in the UFC reflects a combination of base contracts, performance incentives, and commercial appeal. While discussions around MMA fighter salary often focus on headline figures, earnings vary significantly across tiers. Canadian UFC fighters and other international athletes have contributed to the sport’s commercial expansion. Understanding both fighter pay structures and UFC betting rules provides broader context for how the organization operates within the global sports economy.