The 20 Highest-Paid UFC Fighters of All Time – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
The UFC has grown into a global powerhouse in combat sports, producing some of the biggest stars in fighting history. While debates over fighter pay continue, the sport’s most successful athletes have earned staggering sums inside the Octagon. Some fighters have built their wealth through longevity, consistently competing at a high level, while others have secured massive paydays through blockbuster pay-per-view events.
We’ve taken a deep dive into the highest-paid UFC fighters of all time, ranking them based on their total career earnings from fights alone.
20. Dan Henderson – £6,630,000
A true veteran of the sport, Dan Henderson made his name across multiple promotions before cementing his legacy in the UFC. Despite never winning a UFC title, Henderson’s legendary knockout power and memorable performances, including his iconic KO of Michael Bisping, helped him earn a substantial fortune in the cage.
19. Islam Makhachev – £6,899,760
The reigning UFC lightweight champion has quietly amassed an impressive bank balance during his career. As Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé, Makhachev has dominated his division, earning big paydays from title fights and main event appearances. His stock continues to rise, making him one of the sport’s highest earners.
18. Vitor Belfort – £7,020,000
A pioneer of the sport, Vitor Belfort’s UFC career spanned multiple eras, from his debut in 1997 to his final fight in 2018. Known for his blistering hand speed and devastating knockouts, “The Phenom” secured lucrative paydays during his storied career, including headlining some of the UFC’s biggest events.
17. Dustin Poirier – £7,098,000
Dustin Poirier has built his fortune by being one of the most exciting fighters in the lightweight division. His epic battles against Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Justin Gaethje have brought him significant earnings. As a former interim champion, Poirier continues to be a major draw in pay-per-view events.
16. Mark Hunt – £7,644,000
Known for his incredible knockout power and iron chin, Mark Hunt earned millions competing against some of the best heavyweights in the world. His legal battles with the UFC over fighter pay have been well-documented, but there’s no denying that Hunt was one of the promotion’s highest-paid strikers.
15. Daniel Cormier – £7,956,000
A two-division champion and now a respected commentator, Daniel Cormier earned his place among the sport’s highest-paid fighters. His rivalries with Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic resulted in massive pay-per-view events, contributing significantly to his wealth.
14. Donald Cerrone – £8,268,000
Few fighters have been as active as Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who fought a record-breaking number of times in the UFC. His willingness to take fights on short notice and entertain fans made him a fan favorite and a wealthy fighter despite never capturing a championship.
13. Georges St-Pierre – £8,541,000
A two-division UFC champion and one of the greatest fighters ever, Georges St-Pierre made millions during his dominant reign in the welterweight division. His return fight against Michael Bisping in 2017 netted him one of the biggest paydays of his career, adding to his impressive earnings.
12. Junior Dos Santos – £8,580,000
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos earned a fortune during his reign at the top of the division. His trilogy with Cain Velasquez and battles against some of the biggest names in heavyweight history ensured that he was well-compensated throughout his career.
11. Michael Bisping – £8,658,000
The first British UFC champion, Michael Bisping, fought his way to the top through sheer grit and determination. His late-career resurgence, including a title-winning performance against Luke Rockhold, helped him secure some of his biggest paychecks before retiring.
10. Andrei Arlovski – £8,736,000
A former heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski built his wealth through sheer longevity in the sport. Across multiple UFC stints, “The Pitbull” fought an incredible 41 times in the promotion, consistently earning solid paychecks despite never being a top pay-per-view draw.
9. Israel Adesanya – £8,970,000
As one of the most marketable stars in modern MMA, Israel Adesanya’s title reign at middleweight brought him massive earnings. Although he has struggled recently, his status as a pay-per-view headliner and former champion has secured him a place among the UFC’s highest-paid fighters.
8. Alex Pereira – £9,750,000
With only 11 UFC fights to his name, Alex Pereira has already made an impressive fortune. His massive paydays in 2024, including a £3.3 million purse for his fight against Jiri Prochazka, show how quickly he has become one of the highest earners in the sport.
7. Brock Lesnar – £10,369,100
The only fighter to hold both WWE and UFC heavyweight titles, Brock Lesnar was a financial juggernaut. His UFC 200 return saw him earn a staggering £6.2 million for one fight alone, demonstrating his immense drawing power.
6. Anderson Silva – £10,530,000
Widely regarded as the greatest middleweight in UFC history, Anderson Silva was a dominant champion who headlined numerous pay-per-views. His long reign at the top helped him secure significant fight purses, and his highlight-reel knockouts made him one of the most popular fighters ever.
5. Stipe Miocic – £10,608,000
The most successful UFC heavyweight champion in history, Stipe Miocic faced some of the biggest names in the division. His trilogy with Daniel Cormier and his high-profile fight with Jon Jones brought him some of his biggest paydays.
4. Alistair Overeem – £11,232,390
After transitioning from Strikeforce to the UFC, Alistair Overeem became one of the highest-paid heavyweights. His contract ensured that he earned close to £1 million per fight, making him one of the most financially successful fighters to never win a UFC title.
3. Jon Jones – £13,416,000
Arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, Jon Jones has earned massive sums throughout his career. His move to the heavyweight division saw his paychecks skyrocket, with some of his most recent fights bringing in over £6 million per bout.
2. Khabib Nurmagomedov – £17,862,000
Despite retiring at his peak, Khabib Nurmagomedov made a fortune during his dominant run as UFC lightweight champion. His fight against Conor McGregor was the biggest pay-per-view event in UFC history, securing him his largest payday.
1. Conor McGregor – £30,654,000
There was only ever going to be one name at the top. Conor McGregor is by far the highest-paid fighter in UFC history, earning more than double the next closest competitor. His fights against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz, and Dustin Poirier generated record-breaking pay-per-view sales, making him the sport’s biggest financial success story. Even if he never fights again, McGregor has cemented himself as the richest fighter the UFC has ever seen.
