The 15 best-paid fighters in UFC history

October 31, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From gritty veterans to global superstars, the UFC has paid out millions to its top athletes over the years. While championships help, it's star power, longevity, and headline status that truly bring in the big money. Here are the 15 highest-paid UFC fighters of all time—starting from number 15 and counting down to the richest of them all.

15. Dustin Poirier – $10,430,000

A fan-favorite known for his wars inside the cage, Dustin Poirier has built his fortune through consistency and high-profile bouts. His trilogy with Conor McGregor and lightweight title fights significantly boosted his earnings over time.

14. Donald Cerrone – $10,600,000

“Cowboy” was never about chasing titles—he was about showing up and throwing down. Cerrone’s 38 UFC fights and willingness to fight anyone, anytime helped him cash in across a long and entertaining career.

13. Georges St-Pierre – $10,950,000

One of the most respected champions in MMA history, GSP was also one of its most marketable stars. His reign atop the welterweight division brought consistent paydays, especially as a reliable pay-per-view headliner.

12. Junior Dos Santos – $11,000,000

Former heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos earned big during the UFC’s rise in popularity. He regularly fought top-tier opponents and headlined major cards, which helped him rack up eight figures in earnings.

11. Michael Bisping – $11,100,000

The first British UFC champion, Bisping’s late-career surge earned him both a title and a financial windfall. His upset win over Luke Rockhold and subsequent defenses made him one of the better-paid fighters of his time.

10. Andrei Arlovski – $11,200,000

Arlovski’s longevity in the sport is what secured his financial success. With 41 UFC appearances across multiple stints, “The Pitbull” earned steady paydays even without massive one-off purses.

9. Israel Adesanya – $11,500,000

From the moment he entered the UFC, Adesanya was treated like a star—and paid like one. Multiple title defenses and near-constant main event slots helped him become one of the best-paid active fighters despite recent setbacks.

8. Brock Lesnar – $13,295,000

Lesnar’s crossover fame from WWE translated into enormous UFC paydays. He earned a reported $8 million just for his UFC 200 return bout, making him one of the most profitable short-term fighters in the company’s history.

7. Anderson Silva – $13,500,000

Silva ruled the middleweight division for years, headlining card after card during his prime. His base purses were among the highest of his era, and his legendary run kept fans—and the UFC’s accountants—coming back for more.

6. Stipe Miocic – $13,600,000

Often called the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time, Miocic earned his biggest payday in his final bout against Jon Jones. Though he lost, he reportedly made over $4 million, adding a major exclamation mark to an already impressive career.

5. Alistair Overeem – $14,400,500

Thanks to a contract inherited from Strikeforce, Overeem consistently earned near-million-dollar base paychecks. Even without winning UFC gold, his star power and longevity kept him in the high earner bracket.

4. Alex Pereira – $16,082,000

Pereira’s meteoric rise has been matched by equally explosive payouts. In 2024 alone, he earned more than $8 million, with a single $3.3 million purse for beating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.

3. Jon Jones – $17,200,000

Jones dominated the light heavyweight division and later moved up to heavyweight, where the pay was even better. Despite some time away, he continues to be a top draw and a top earner.

2. Khabib Nurmagomedov – $22,900,000

Though he walked away from the sport while still on top, Khabib’s rivalry with McGregor and dominant title reign made him a massive box-office attraction. His relatively short UFC run didn’t stop him from earning nearly $23 million.

1. Conor McGregor – $39,300,000

No one in UFC history has come close to McGregor’s earnings. With five of the top 10 fighter paydays in company history, “The Notorious” turned his fighting career into a financial empire—even without stepping into the cage for years.