How Much Does a UFC Fighter Make in a Year?

The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the biggest and most prestigious mixed martial arts (MMA) organization in the world. With top-tier athletes competing in high-profile fights, many fans wonder: How much does a ufc fighter make a year?

The answer varies significantly depending on experience, skill level, popularity, and contract terms. Let’s break down UFC fighter salaries and earnings.

1. UFC Fighter Salary Breakdown

Base Pay Per Fight

UFC fighters are typically paid per fight, with their contracts specifying a guaranteed base salary. This amount depends on their contract and ranking in the organization:

• Entry-Level Fighters: $10,000 – $30,000 per fight
  
• Mid-Tier Fighters: $50,000 – $150,000 per fight
  
• Top-Tier Fighters & Champions: $500,000 – $3,000,000 per fight
  

Fighters usually have a “show” and “win” bonus structure, meaning they get an additional amount if they win the fight.

Performance Bonuses

The UFC offers performance bonuses to fighters who deliver spectacular fights:

• Fight of the Night Bonus – $50,000
  
• Performance of the Night Bonus – $50,000
  

Fighters who consistently earn these bonuses can significantly increase their annual income.

Pay-Per-View (PPV) Shares

Top-tier fighters (especially champions and big names like Conor McGregor) earn a percentage of PPV sales. Depending on the number of buys, a fighter’s PPV share can be anywhere from $500,000 to several million dollars per fight.

Sponsorships & Endorsements

Since the UFC signed an exclusive deal with Venum (formerly Reebok) for fighter uniforms, sponsorship earnings have changed. The UFC pays fighters sponsorship money based on experience:

• 1-3 fights: $4,000 per fight
  
• 4-10 fights: $5,000 – $10,000 per fight
  
• Title challengers & champions: $30,000 – $50,000 per fight
  

However, high-profile fighters also have personal endorsement deals (e.g., Monster Energy, Crypto.com), which can be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions per year.

2. Estimated Yearly Earnings for UFC Fighters

Here’s a rough breakdown of how much UFC fighters earn annually based on their tier:

Fighter Level	Base Salary	Win Bonuses	Sponsorships	PPV & Bonuses	Total Annual Income
Entry-Level	$20K – $50K	$10K – $30K	$4K – $10K	$0 – $20K	$30K – $100K
Mid-Tier	$100K – $300K	$50K – $150K	$10K – $20K	$20K – $100K	$200K – $600K
Top-Tier	$500K – $2M	$100K – $500K	$20K – $50K	$500K – $5M+	$1M – $10M+

These figures can fluctuate depending on the number of fights a year and overall marketability.

3. Highest-Paid UFC Fighters

Some of the highest-paid fighters in UFC history include:

• Conor McGregor – Earned over $20M+ per fight, thanks to PPV shares and sponsorships.
  
• Khabib Nurmagomedov – Reportedly made $5M+ per fight before retiring.
  
• Israel Adesanya – Earns $2M – $3M per fight with bonuses and PPV revenue.
  
• Jon Jones – Estimated $2M – $5M per fight.
  

4. Hidden Costs: Expenses Fighters Face

While these earnings may seem impressive, UFC fighters also have major expenses:

• Training Camp Costs: $10K – $50K per fight
  
• Manager & Coach Fees: 10% – 20% of earnings
  
• Taxes: Fighters must pay state and federal taxes, reducing their take-home pay.
  
• Medical Bills & Injuries: If fighters get injured, they might miss fights, leading to lost income.
  

5. Conclusion: Is Being a UFC Fighter Lucrative?

For top-level UFC fighters, MMA can be extremely profitable, with annual earnings in the millions. However, entry-level fighters struggle to make a living, especially when factoring in expenses.

On average, a mid-tier UFC fighter can expect to earn $200,000 to $600,000 per year, while only the biggest stars make millions annually.

Would you consider stepping into the Octagon for a shot at these earnings? Let us know!