By: Pankti Parmar Image credit: Twitter
UFC is undoubtedly the most popular promotion of MMA across the Globe. The magnitude of the UFC makes it the most desirable place for any aspiring MMA fighter, thinking it would pay them the best.
Realistically speaking, this is not the case. UFC is said to be paying just 16%-20% of its total revenue to its athletes, as opposed to other sports which pay almost 50% of their revenue.
UFC gives contracts of three levels which are high, medium and low to their athletes based on their popularity and the far-fetchedness of their fanbase, which is referred to as their base salary.
The new fighters are offered a low-tier contract when they initially join UFC, which is between $10,000 and $30,000 per fight. The fighter is then promoted based on the reputation they build.
When a fighter is signed to a middle-level contract, they get $80,000 to $250,000 per fight. They are paid based on their popularity, the reputation they have built inside the cage and their results.
The fighters who amass the biggest fan bases receive the top-tier contract, which pays them around $500,000 to $3,000,000 per fight. But they get a higher amount as they get a winning bonus as well.
As the fighter gradually climbs the ladder of popularity, their fights are sold on a PPV basis, and they receive a share of that as well. Along with other brands that have sponsored them.
Conor McGregor is the highest-paid UFC fighter to date. He took home $22,000,000 in 2021 against Dustin Poirier despite losing and $30,000,000 in 2020 against Donald Cerrone as his total revenue.
Despite Fighting 48 Times, Including Conor McGregor, Donald Cerrone Made Very Little Money in the UFC.