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Cashing out: A comparative look at UFC fighter base salaries
In the year 2020, the discussion surrounding fighter pay has heated up to levels that MMA has arguably never seen before. Especially when it comes to those sitting at the heights of their divisions making most of the noise. Whether that be from champions like Jon Jones or resurgent superstars such as Jorge Masvidal, it has become a bigger talking point with the UFC only continuing to grow and flourish.
Undeniably, athletes competing in sports that are as dangerous and damaging as combat sports, are criminally underpaid. Compared to the rest of the sporting world, MMA fighters are low on the totem pole when it comes to those cashing out the most at the professional level.
While several reasons can be brought to light as to why that is or may be, another consistent hot topic in the world today revolves around equality. In the UFC, there are both men and women fighters. Recently presented with the question of whether or not female fighters on average get paid as much as the men, it led me to some digging.
For starters, UFC fight purses consist of a set number for showing up to compete and fight with the possibility of a guaranteed bonus for a victory. This is commonly referred to as show and win money. All numbers analyzed for this article were specifically based around fighters’ show and win purses, meaning Reebok sponsorship payouts were excluded as well as other things of that nature. Like performance bonuses and pay-per-view point earnings for example.
Payout numbers are released to certain media outlets ranging from sources such as MMA Junkie to MMA Weekly via the state athletic commissions that the events were held in.
Now to delve into specifics.
Typically a prospect making their debut in the UFC in 2020 will fight on either a minimum of a 10/10 or 12/12 contract. That means that the base payout for their fight is $10,000 (the show money) with the potential to get a total of $20,000 by winning and getting their $10,000 bonus (the win money).
Over the years this has appeared to become the standard. Though dating back to 2013, 8/8 contracts were often seen. The lowest found in this recent gathering was a 7/7 which belonged to Cat Zingano when she made her promotional debut against Miesha Tate at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. The former Strikeforce champion in Tate, on the other hand, fought on a 28/28 contract. It was also her debut for the promotion. The pair’s bout was just the second fight between women in UFC history.
Now, coming to a consensus or conclusion is something often done at the end of a breakdown, but allow me to prepare you for the numbers with the answer right now. On average, women and men make pretty similar numbers in the worldwide leader in MMA. Especially at the starting level, fighters do receive equal pay regardless of gender – whether it’s believed that the overall treatment for fighter and their payouts should be better or not.
The biggest difference makers truly come down to star power and drawing ability. A fighter’s strength of position within the company is what makes one’s wallet stand out above all else.
Take Tate vs. Zingano as a good first example. Zingano was yet to become a notable name at the time of that fight and would eventually go onto earn significantly better contracts in comparison to some others around her level.
Longevity within the promotion has also proven to be a big factor in regards to fighters getting higher payouts. More so than being a former champion. One of the most notable cases of this being with Holly Holm who fought on a 35/35 contract against Megan Anderson at UFC 225 in 2018. This coming after she received $300,000 in her title challenge against Cris “Cyborg” Justino. Prior to that, she was on a 30/30 for her bout with Bethe Correia which is a natural climb from her 25/25 in her historic win over Ronda Rousey to become a champion.
Title fights rightfully see bigger paydays for challengers and champions. But that never used to be the case. In fact, if there was any point where equality in regards to fighter pay wasn’t very prevalent, it was during the start of the women’s introduction. And of course, that goes back to starting with the aforementioned Rousey.
The very first fight between women inside the Octagon headlined at UFC 157 in February 2013. Rousey took on her fellow Strikeforce alum, Liz Carmouche. For Rousey, she expectedly earned her highest payday at the time with a take-home of $90,000 (45/45). From there on out, her next six fights would see those side by side numbers increase by five with each outing. That caps off at a 75/75 when she suffered her first defeat and dropped her title to Holm.
Returning one year later as the challenger to Amanda Nunes, Rousey would earn $3,000,000 in the second and final defeat of her career. Nunes, the champion, raked in $200,000 (100/100) for the fight. Other notable numbers from that UFC 207 event include the following.
- Cody Garbrandt ($200,000) def. (C) Dominick Cruz ($350,000)
- TJ Dillashaw ($200,000 – 100/100) def. John Lineker ($43,000)
- Dong Hyun Kim ($134,000 – 67/67)
- Marvin Vettori ($12,000)
- Neil Magny ($114,000 – 47/47)
- Mike Pyle ($55,000)
- Niko Price ($24,000 – 12/12)
Circling back to UFC 157 where it all began, Carmouche earned the lone standard of $12,000 in her defeat to Rousey. The highest of the bunch from that card belonged to the co-main eventers, Dan Henderson ($250,000) and Lyoto Machida ($200,000). Along with that, Urijah Faber’s $100,000 (50/50) and Robbie Lawler’s $105,000 (95/10) were notable.
Carmouche remained on a 12/12 contract for her sophomore appearance. Initially, she was matched with Tate but instead stood opposite the new coming future strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade. This coming after Tate was granted a coaching spot on The Ultimate Fighter season 18.
Brazil’s Andrade was making her promotional debut and earned $8,000 in her defeat to “Girlrilla”. Among the other two women on that UFC on Fox 8 card were Germaine de Randamie ($18,000 – 9/9) and Julie Kedzie ($8,000). Both of which were making their promotional debuts as well. Unlike Andrade, they were absorbed to the UFC roster after the purchase of Strikeforce.
Fast forward three years to the massive New York debut for the UFC, UFC 205, and Carmouche opened the show. Scoring the win via split decision against Katlyn Chookagian, she earned $38,000 (19/19). Prior to her second career title fight, and final fight under the banner in general, Carmouche reached a base of 32/32 and cashed $69,000 with a spoiling victory over Lucie Pudilova in February 2019.
In that title losing effort to flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko, Carmouche pocketed $130,000 – her highest with the company before her subsequent release.
Obviously, not everyone is going to enter the UFC as a star to the level that Rousey was becoming. But it has happened a handful of times. In the case of Cris Cyborg, her UFC debut came in 2016 in a non-title catchweight contest with Leslie Smith. While Rousey debuted on a 45/45, three years later and Cyborg earned $120,000 with her 60/60. Smith, a four-fight UFC veteran at the time, fought on a 25/25.
Cyborg would fight in one more 140-pound catchweight fight following the win which saw her numbers take that natural 5/5 increase to 65/65. Getting her inevitable title shot at UFC 214 in 2017, she earned a flat of $200,000 before closing out her tenure as champion with three more fights all seeing her at $500,000 with no win money as an option… then she dropped down to a 70/70 for her last non-title UFC contest against Felicia Spencer at UFC 240.
With the mentioning of 8/8 contracts, believe it or not, even the most famous MMA fighter that there’s ever been started there. Yes, Conor McGregor is a rather rare case with all things considered. But looking at his numbers still provides intrigue and further balances out any speculation as to whether fighters may or may not be getting equal treatment.
It just depends on how one elevates themselves going forward.
McGregor’s career payouts in the UFC:
- UFC on Fuel 9, April 6, 2013 – $16,000 (8/8) vs. Marcus Brimage ($8,000)
- UFC Fight Night 26, August 17, 2013 – $24,000 (12/12) vs. Max Holloway ($14,000)
- UFC Fight Night 46, July 19, 2014 – $32,000 (16/16) main event vs. Diego Brandao ($20,000)
- UFC 178, September 27, 2014 – $150,000 (75/75) vs. Dustin Poirier ($34,000)
- UFC Fight Night 59, January 18, 2015 – $170,000 (85/85) main event vs. Denis Siver ($39,000)
- UFC 189, July 11, 2015 – $500,000 interim title main event vs. Chad Mendes ($500,000)
- UFC 194, December 12, 2015 – $500,000 undisputed title main event vs. champion Jose Aldo ($400,000)
- UFC 196, March 5, 2016 – $1,000,000 main event vs. Nate Diaz ($500,000)
- UFC 202, August 20, 2016 – $3,000,000 main event vs. Nate Diaz ($2,000,000)
- UFC 205, November 12, 2016 – $3,000,000 undisputed title main event vs. champion Eddie
- Alvarez ($500,000)
- UFC 229, October 6, 2018 – $3,000,000 undisputed title main event vs. champion Khabib Nurmagomedov ($2,000,000)
- UFC 246, January 18, 2020 – $3,000,000 main event vs. Donald Cerrone ($200,000)
In hindsight, it’s incredible to look back at things now as just one McGregor purse is more than an entire fight card payout from the days of old. And not even from all too long ago.
UFC 175 in July 2014 saw Rousey in the evening’s co-main event where she was one of the four fighters who earned the majority of the card’s overall payout. That total coming out to $1,158,000 among 20 athletes. Rousey, the bantamweight champion, was tied with Urijah Faber for the third-highest salary from the event at $120,000 (60/60). Ahead of them were the main eventers, middleweight champion Chris Weidman ($450,000 – 225/225) and Lyoto Machida ($200,000).
Rousey’s challenger that night, Alexis Davis, received $24,000. The next highest from that card was four-fight UFC vet Kenny Robertson’s $28,000 off of his 14/14.
To wrap things up, here are some additional numbers in the collection.
UFC bantamweight, Julia Avila:
- UFC 239, July 6, 2019 – $20,000 (10/10) vs. Pannie Kianzad ($12,000)
- UFC Vegas 2, June 13, 2020 – $24,000 (12/12) vs. Gina Mazany ($14,000)
UFC featherweight, Felicia Spencer:
- UFC Rochester, May 18, 2019 – $30,000 (15/15) vs. Megan Anderson ($35,000)
- UFC 240, July 27, 2019 – $17,000 co-main event vs. Cris Cyborg ($140,000 – 70/70)
- UFC Norfolk, February 29, 2020 – $34,000 (17/17) vs. Zarah Fairn ($10,000)
- UFC 250, June 6, 2020 – $125,000 undisputed title main event vs. Amanda Nunes ($450,000 – 350/100)
– Cody Garbrandt ($260,000 – 130/130)
– Neil Magny ($158,000 – 79/79)
UFC 198, May 14, 2016:
- Fabricio Werdum ($500,000)
- Stipe Miocic ($130,000 – 65/65)
- Vitor Belfort ($300,000)
- Mauricio “Shogun” Rua ($255,000 – 185/70)
- Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza ($195,000 – 135/60)
UFC Fight Night 95, September 14, 2016:
- Gunnar Nelson ($150,000 – 100/50)
- Lina Lansberg ($10,000) – Main event loss vs. Cyborg
UFC 214, July 29, 2017:
- Daniel Cormier ($1,000,000)
- Jon Jones ($500,000)
- Tyron Woodley ($500,000)
- Robbie Lawler ($200,000)
- Donald Cerrone ($155,000)
- Tonya Evinger ($100,000) – Title fight loss vs. Cyborg
- Kailin Curran ($20,000)
- Alexandra Albu ($20,000 – 10/10)
UFC 219, December 30, 2017:
- Holly Holm ($300,000) – Main event title fight loss vs. Cyborg
- Khabib Nurmagomedov ($160,000 – 80/80)
- Carla Esparza ($72,000 – 36/36)
- Cynthia Calvillo ($41,000)
UFC 222, March 3, 2018:
- Yana Kunitskaya ($100,000) – Main event title fight loss vs. Cyborg
- Mackenzie Dern ($50,000 – 25/25) – UFC debut vs. Yoder
- Ashley Yoder ($12,000) – Third UFC bout, took on Dern
- Ketlen Vieira ($60,000 – 30/30) – Fourth UFC bout, took on Zingano
- Cat Zingano ($35,000) – Fifth UFC bout, took on Vieira
UFC featherweight, Megan Anderson (plus fighters from events she fought on):
UFC 225, June 9, 2018 – $30,000
- Holly Holm ($70,000 – 35/35)
- Mirsad Bektic ($72,000 – 36/36)
- Clay Guida ($59,000) – 26th UFC fight
- Joseph Benavidez ($72,000)
- Sergio Pettis ($78,000 – 39/39)
- Carla Esparza ($45,000)
- Claudia Gadelha (98,000 – 49/49)
- Curtis Blaydes ($50,000 – 25/25)
- Charles Oliveira ($100,000 – 50/50)
- Anthony Smith ($42,000 – 21/21)
- Rashad Evans ($150,000)
- Andrei Arlovski ($300,000) – 26th UFC fight
- Colby Covington ($350,000)
- Phil “CM Punk” Brooks ($500,000) – UFC/MMA debut
- Robert Whittaker ($400,000)
- Alistair Overeem ($850,000)
- Rafael Dos Anjos ($350,000)
UFC 232, December 29, 2018 – $60,000 (30/30)
- Cat Zingano ($50,000)
- Petr Yan ($52,000 – 26/26)
- Carlos Condit ($115,000)
- Corey Anderson ($130,000 – 65/65)
- Chad Mendes ($87,000)
- BJ Penn ($150,000)
- Alexander Volkanovski ($125,000 – 65/60)
- Andrei Arlovski ($300,000)
- Amanda Nunes ($350,000)
- Alexander Gustafsson ($500,000)
- Jon Jones ($500,000)
- Cris Cyborg ($500,000)
UFC Rochester, May 18, 2019 – $35,000
- Sijara Eubanks ($14,000)
- Aspen Ladd ($28,000 – 14/14)
- Kevin Lee ($84,000)
- Ed Herman ($108,000 – 54/54)
- Charles Oliveira ($200,000 – 100/100)
- Rafael Dos Anjos ($220,000 – 110/110)
UFC 243, October 5, 2019 – $70,000 (35/35)
- Zarah Fairn ($10,000)
- Ji Yeon Kim (20/20)
- Robert Whittaker ($400,000)
- Israel Adesanya ($400,000)
UFC Norfolk, February 29, 2020 – $80,000 (40/40)
- Deiveson Figueiredo (70/50) – Missed weight
- Joseph Benavidez ($150,000) – Main event title fight vs. Figueiredo
- Norma Dumont ($10,000)
Rousey’s unmentioned bout events along with notables from them:
UFC 168, December 28, 2013 – $100,000 (50/50)
- Chris Weidman ($400,000, 200/200)
- Anderson Silva ($600,000)
- Miesha Tate ($28,000) – Title fight loss vs. Rousey
- Josh Barnett ($170,000)
UFC 170, February 22, 2014 – $110,000 (55/55)
- Daniel Cormier ($160,000 – 80/80) – UFC debut vs. Cummins
- Sara McMann ($16,000) – Title fight loss vs. Rousey
- Patrick Cummins ($8000) – UFC debut vs. Cormier
- Rory MacDonald ($100,000 – 50/50)
- Mike Pyle ($96,000 – 48/48)
- Jessica Eye ($8000)
- Alexis Davis ($30,000 – 15/15)
- Pedro Munhoz ($8000)
- Five fighters got $8000
UFC 184, February 28, 2015 – $130,000 (65/65)
- Cat Zingano ($100,000) – Main event title fight loss vs. Rousey
- Holly Holm ($50,000 – 25/25) – UFC debut vs. Pennington
- Raquel Pennington ($10,000) – Fourth UFC fight, joined UFC through TUF 18
- Jake Ellenberger ($136,000 – 68/68)
- Josh Koscheck ($78,000)
- Ruan Potts ($10,000)
- Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto ($15,000)
- Five 8/8 contracts
UFC 190, August 1, 2015 – $140,000 (70/70)
- Shogun Rua ($310,000) (180/70)
- Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira ($250,000)
- Demian Maia ($152,000 – 76/76)
- Antonio Rogerio Nogueira ($114,000)
- Stefan Struve ($80,000 – 40/40)
- Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva ($75,000)
- Iuri Alcantara ($56,000 – 28/28)
- Bethe Correia ($25,000)
- Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante ($42,000)
- Patrick Cummins ($28,000 – 14/14)
- Warlley Alves ($30,000 – 15/15)
- Glaico Franca ($30,000 – 15/15)
- Neil Magny ($20,000)
- Claudia Gadelha ($24,000 – 12/12)
- Vitor Miranda ($24,000 – 12/12)
- Reginaldo Vieira ($20,000 – 10/10)
- Jessica Aguilar ($10,000)
UFC 193, November 14, 2015 – $75,000
- Joanna Jedrzejczyk ($200,000 – 100/100)
- Holly Holm ($50,000 – 25/25)
- Mark Hunt ($160,000)
- Kyle Noke ($40,000 – 20/20)
- Bigfoot Silva ($75,000)
- Gian Villante ($62,000 – 31/31)
- Robert Whittaker ($48,000 – 24/24)
- Valerie Letourneau ($14,000) – Title fight loss vs. Jedrzejczyk
- Jared Rosholt ($36,000 – 18/18)
- Anthony Perosh ($16,000)
- Peter Sobotta ($14,000)
- 13 total fighters who were on 14/14 contracts or less
It’s important to consider that the UFC had yet to be purchased by WME-IMG for $4 billion until mid-2016. However, on average with men or women, the UFC’s business practices pertaining to payouts appear to have remained consistent. At least since female fighters joined the organization.
