Have you ever wondered how much does a UFC fighter get paid? Well, we’ve got you covered as we answer all of your questions about what your favorite fighters put in the bank.
UFC fighters get paid based on a variety of factors. They each sign contracts setting a particular dollar figure per fight. Popularity and prior success determine the exact amount per fight.
Most bout agreements also include a bonus for winning. Typically, the win bonus doubles their paycheck. In some cases, a flat fee is agreed upon and no additional money is given simply for winning.
After every event, several fighters are awarded $50,000 bonuses for outstanding performances. Two individuals are selected for the Performance of the Night bonus. Those are usually given to the most impressive finishes. Fight of the Night is given to both athletes in the most entertaining bout on the card.
No, UFC fighters do not get paid a base salary. They are independent contractors and are only paid per appearance in the Octagon. The minimum amount a fighter will earn per fight in the UFC is $12,000.
Along with wondering how much does a UFC fighter get paid, fans are curious about the pay of female athletes. Retired former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is the richest female MMA fighter the sport has seen. Her reported net worth is $14 million.
Before becoming a UFC fighter, it is imperative that you learn martial arts. Some have taken one of the many disciplines before branching into MMA. Wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, karate, etc. have been the foundation for many good careers in the sport.
Most will have to work their way up on the amateur circuit before turning professional. As a professional fighter, you will have to perform well and accrue a winning record. This may attract the attention of UFC matchmakers looking to fill roster spots.
Alternatively, auditioning for a spot on the long-running reality TV show “The Ultimate Fighter” or competing on the Contender Series, a feeder league run by UFC CEO Dana White, can speed up the process.
Yes, you can make a living as a UFC fighter. Ideally, the athletes on the roster train full-time to maximize their potential. However, simply fighting in the UFC is no guarantee of financial success.
Most fighters aim to compete three or four times a year. If they are paid the minimum amount (and assuming they haven’t sidelined injury, win each time, and therefore receive a win bonus,) they can earn $96,000 for the year. Performance bonuses can add up as well.
However, that $96,000 is a best-case scenario that doesn’t account for training fees, nutrition, taxes, management, and other expenses. Some fighters have been compelled to maintain other jobs on top of their contractual obligations to the promotion.
Sponsorships, coaching, acting, and investments are some of the common outside revenue sources.
According to multiple reports, UFC refs can make anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 per fight they oversee. That range jumps up to $5,000 to $15,000 for pay-per-view bouts. Herb Dean, one of the most active refs in the sport, is believed to make $500,000 a year.
Of course, being the third person in the Octagon is an opportunity afforded to experienced referees with good reputations. Newcomers can expect to pay their dues in lower-level promotions for $350 to $600 per fight.
UFC ring girls reportedly pull in $1,000 to $5,000 per event. They can use their popularity as UFC personalities to attract other endeavors to supplement their income. Some of those include public appearances, modeling, and social media marketing.
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The Las Vegas Raiders just stunned the league by releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins after only one year with the team. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract, he struggled with injuries in 2024. This was supposed to be a big bounce-back year for Wilkins, but after a dispute between the two sides in regard to how to handle his foot injury, the team decided it was best to part ways. Now, a premier interior disruptor is suddenly available. Assuming his medicals get checked out soon, there should be a lot of interest around the league. Where should he land? Dallas Cowboys Dallas has needed a dominant interior presence for quite some time. Osa Odighizuwa is an awesome threat, but he is only solid against the run. Alongside him, the team will be banking heavily on 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, who has been disappointing so far. With Dallas looking to return to the playoffs, adding a stud like Wilkins could give Dallas one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers added some young bodies in CJ West and Alfred Collins, yet neither offer a proven, all-around talent like Wilkins could if healthy. The 49ers defensive line was horrid outside of Nick Bosa in 2024, but by adding Wilkins, the team would now have a solid cast of starters with Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Wilkins and Kevin Givens/Jordan Elliott. Miami Dolphins A return to Miami makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Dolphins know exactly how to use Wilkins, he knows the building and players, and the transition would be very easy. Miami needs help in the interior defensive line; by plugging Wilkins back into his old role, he could offer the quickest path to high-level impact. Detroit Lions With Levi Onwuzurike out with injury and Detroit needing more juice on the defensive line, adding a proven disruptor like Wilkins could make some sense. He could provide more depth while he gets fully healthy, and he can join a legit Super Bowl contender. His energy and mentality could be a good fit for a Dan Campbell-led squad. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars defense is average in the interior, but they have excellent edge-rushers who would benefit greatly from a strong disruptor up the middle. Wilkins could balance the front, help in the run defense and allow more one-on-ones for their premier edge-rushers. For a team that wants to return to the playoffs as soon as possible, adding a veteran like Wilkins could be a worthy bet to make.
Several of the high-profile names of the 2024 free-agent class are really struggling to justify the massive contacts they received through the early stages of the 2025 season. Despite the generous contracts, some players have been very underwhelming after getting the big payday. In particular, these players who signed major deals are now playing on new teams or in new roles: Christian Wilkins — four-years, $110M with Raiders, now a free agent Kirk Cousins — four-years, $180M with Falcons, now a backup Bryce Huff — three-years, $51.1M with Eagles, now with 49ers Jonah Jackson — three-years, $51M with Rams, now with Bears Gabe Davis — three-years, $39M with Jaguars, now a free agent Gardner Minshew — two-years, $25M with Raiders, now with Chiefs Chidobe Awuzie — three-years, $36M with Titans, now with Ravens While certain free agents such as Saquon Barkley and Danielle Hunter have delivered massive returns on their contracts to the Eagles and Texans, respectively, these other big signings have taken a completely different trajectory. Whether it is due to injuries, underperformance or not fitting the schemes, these players have not lived up to their deals. Wilkins is a case in point. The Raiders decided to cut him after signing him to a four-year, $110M deal. He struggled with injuries that held him out in 2024, leading to the team and Wilkins disagreeing on how the injury has been handled. Because of this, the two split ways only one year into his contract. Huff only played in 12 games and had a total of 2.5 sacks for Philadelphia after inking a three-year, $51.1M deal. He was traded to the 49ers in June for a 2026 mid-round pick. Cousins might be the most egregious of these deals. The former Vikings QB signed a four-year, $180M, with $100M fully guaranteed. Yet, he only started 14 games in 2024, and now is the backup to Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons now are essentially stuck paying their backup quarterback an annual average of $45M. These signings highlight the risk of free agency. Paying top dollar for past performance runs the risk of overlooking team fit and future value of contracts. Too often, these high-profile veterans who get massive paydays decline very fast or simply fail to mesh with new systems. So far, these investments in 2024 appear to have aged very poorly. Unless these players turn their performances around in 2025, many of the teams will view these moves as a cautionary tale of overspending in free agency.
As of now, Granit Xhaka's signing for Sunderland has not been made official, and it appears the Black Cats' alternative is Napoli's Frank Zambo Anguissa, who is also a target for Chelsea. While BILD compiled statements from Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director, and Erik ten Hag, the German club’s manager, both hinting that they do not want to let their midfielder go, other reports are more optimistic. Florian Plettenberg claims that Xhaka (32) has already reached an agreement with Sunderland on a contract until 2028, and it’s now just a matter of both clubs finalizing the transfer fee. However, if the signing does not materialize, the Black Cats have another alternative, who is also a target for Chelsea. We’re talking specifically about Napoli’s Frank Zambo Anguissa (29). Sunderland already have a Granit Xhaka alternative, and Chelsea won’t like it A few days ago, Fabrizio Romano reported Sunderland had contacted the agents of the former Fulham midfielder to discuss a potential move to the Stadium of Light. Now, with these conflicting reports about Xhaka’s possible signing, Anguissa’s name should be gaining more relevance in the Black Cats’ sporting direction. In fact, even BILD now sees the Swiss midfielder’s move to Sunderland as complicated, as a recent report stated that the English club does not intend to increase its offer for the 32-year-old player, which stands at around €10m. The aforementioned outlet indicates that Bayer are demanding at least €20m, so his arrival at Regis Le Bris’ team "is currently considered highly unlikely." Either way, nothing is straightforward in the transfer window, and precisely Sunderland’s alternative to Xhaka, Anguissa, is also a target for Chelsea. A few weeks ago, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the Napoli midfielder had an important offer from Chelsea. So, the saga continues. Read More:
Liverpool’s next big exit might not be who we expected — and it could be triggered by a transfer battle unfolding in the north east. According to a report from Arriyadiyah, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have shifted their attention towards Darwin Nunez after their pursuit of Alexander Isak hit a financial wall. The Newcastle United striker has reportedly demanded an eye-watering £60 million annual salary, plus extras, to consider a move to Saudi Arabia. Saudi interest in Isak has cooled now attention turns to Nunez That’s more than £1.15 million per week, and it’s no surprise that Al-Hilal are now exploring alternatives. One of them, per the same report, is Liverpool’s No.9. The Saudi side’s coach Simone Inzaghi is said to have specifically requested the Uruguayan forward as a top alternative to Isak. The 26-year-old was already the subject of interest from the Gulf state earlier in the window, but now that Isak talks have cooled, the heat is rising again around our £85 million man. Darwin Nunez is viewed as an Alexander Isak alternative It’s another sign that our forward line could be reshaped this summer. Liverpool have already committed to French striker Hugo Ekitike and with Alexander Isak reportedly still on our radar at £130-150 million, a serious bid from Saudi Arabia for Darwin could accelerate a sale — especially given his struggle for form under Arne Slot. The former Benfica striker managed just five Premier League goals last season and the boss no longer appears to trust him in big moments. If Al-Hilal formalise their interest, this could be the end of Nunez’s Anfield journey — and the start of a new era up front. The irony of Darwin Nunez being viewed as an Alexander Isak alternative, as we attempt to sign the Swede, despite buying Ekitike who was Newcastle’s desired replacement for their No.14 – somewhat highlights the craziness of this merry-go-round transfer window.