Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become one of the world’s most popular sports. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the premier MMA promotion, hosting some of the best fighters in the world.
As with any professional sport, UFC fighters are paid for their performances. So, what do UFC fighters get paid? This article will answer this question by exploring the different ways UFC fighters are compensated, including fight purses, sponsorship deals, and win bonuses.
We will also look at how much the top UFC fighters make, and explain the factors that influence a fighter’s salary.
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How Do UFC Fighters Get Paid?
UFC fighters are paid for their performances in the cage. Most fighters are contracted by the UFC, meaning they are paid a predetermined amount of money for each fight. This amount is known as the “fight purse.”
The purse is typically determined by the fighter’s ranking in the promotion and the amount of time they have been with the UFC. The purse is split between the fighter and the promoter. The fighter receives the majority of the purse, while the promoter keeps a percentage of the purse.
For example, if a fighter’s purse is $100,000, they would usually receive $75,000 and the promoter would receive $25,000. In addition to their fight purses, UFC fighters are often paid win bonuses.
These bonuses are paid out to fighters who win their fights by a specific method (for example, knockout or submission). The amount of the bonus varies depending on the promotion, but can range from $50,000 to $100,000.
Fighters can also earn additional income from sponsorships. Many of the top UFC fighters have endorsement deals with major brands, such as Reebok, Monster Energy, and Under Armour. These deals can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Finally, UFC fighters can earn additional income from pay-per-view (PPV) sales. The UFC pays a percentage of the PPV sales to certain fighters, usually the headliners of a card. For example, if a PPV event sells 1 million pay-per-view buys, the headliner might receive a bonus of $200,000.
How Much Do the Top UFC Fighters Make?
The top UFC fighters can make millions of dollars per year. According to Forbes, the highest paid UFC fighter in 2020 was Conor McGregor, who earned $48 million. Other top earners included Israel Adesanya ($6 million) and Khabib Nurmagomedov ($6 million).
These fighters are able to earn such high salaries because of their popularity. McGregor, for example, is one of the most popular fighters in the world, and his fights often draw millions of viewers. As such, he is able to command high purses and win bonuses, as well as lucrative sponsorship deals.
Other factors that influence a fighter’s salary include their win/loss record, experience, and marketability. Fighters with a long winning streak, for example, are likely to command higher salaries than fighters with a losing record.
Similarly, fighters with more experience in the UFC are more likely to earn higher salaries than newcomers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, UFC fighters are paid for their performances in the cage. Most fighters are contracted by the UFC, meaning they are paid a predetermined amount of money for each fight (the “fight purse”).
They can also earn additional income from sponsorships, win bonuses, and PPV sales. The top UFC fighters can make millions of dollars per year, with Conor McGregor the highest earner in 2020. Factors that influence a fighter’s salary include their win/loss record, experience, and marketability.
