Top 20 Highest Paid UFC Fighters 2022
The increasing popularity of UFC fighting around the globe has in turn seen the fighters earn more than they have ever earned before. The Pay Per View deals is where most of the money comes from but it is refreshing to see the fighters being rewarded for putting their bodies on the line every time that step into the ring. UFC fighters don’t usually have prolonged careers due to the injuries and stress put on their bodies so being paid handsomely to risk their lives is certainly a step in the right direction. These fighters not only gain their income from the fights alone but they have endorsement deals with top brands in the sporting world. There is also a huge UFC following in the betting markets with each fight attracting huge attention from the gambling world. If you are keen on placing a wager on your favourite fighter then check out the 888Sport Review for the best betting odds. There is a full range of pre-fight and live betting available on all UFC fights.
There have been many iconic fighters on the UFC circuit that have amassed huge wealth through their time in the ring. These are the top 20 highest paid UFC fighters in 2022.
- Conor McGregor- McGregor may have not fought in 2022 but he still receives cash from his many endorsement deals that still sees him as the best paid UFC fighter.
- Francis Ngannou – Ngannou earned $600,000 for his win over Ciryl Gane.
- Jon Jones– Jones defended the lightweight championship when he beat Dominick Reyes and got paid $500,000 including his $40,000 bonus check.
- Israel Adesanya –He defended the Middleweight Championship when he beat Yoel Romero and was awarded huge check of $540,000, including a $40,000 fight bonus. This payday boosted him to one the highest paid fighters in 2022.
- Donald Cerrone- He showed that fighters do not always need to win to earn very well. He lost his two major fights but was awarded $440,000 for participating in these fights.
- Tony Ferguson- He lost the interim lightweight championship when he was stopped by Justin Gaethje after the challenger floored him with a knockout blow. The former champion did however receive a whopping $430 000 paycheck from the fight.
- Junior Dos Santos – Dos Santos earns a base salary of $400,000 with a performance bonus of $20,000.
- Henry Cejudo – He is the former champion in the Bantamweight and flyweight divisions. Cejudo earned a base salary of $350,000 and also received a performance bonus of $40,000.
- Justin Gathje – He earned $365,000 and a performance bonus of $30,000.
- Dan Hooker – He received $85,000 in appearance fees for his matches with a further $85 000 in winning bonuses. His performance bonus was $60,000 for a total earnings of $230,000.
- Dominick Reyes- In his match against Jon Jones he received a total of $380,000 for his victory with $350,000 being his salary and a further $30,000 in bonuses.
- Yoel Romero- Romero was paid $350,000 although he lost his match against Israel Adesanya and also received $30,000 in performance bonuses.
- Fabricio Werdum – Werdum was paid $325,000 for his win over Alexander Gustafsson and also received $150 000 in promotional bonuses.
- Charles Oliveira – Oliveira had a very healthy pay day when he was paid $110,000 for his appearance against Kevin Lee and received another $110 ,000 for beating Lee. On top of this he received a performance bonus of $97,200 giving him a grand total of $ 307,200.
- Derrick Lewis – He was awarded $145,000 plus a winning bonus of $145,000 and to top of the win he received a further $15,000 in incentive for a grand total income of $305,000.
- Zhang Weili- Weili is the highest earning female fighter in 2022 with earnings of $290 000 with $90 000 coming from her sponsorships and performance bonuses.
- Dominick Cruz – He won $250 000 for his win against Henry Cejudo and also received $30,000 in performance bonuses.
- Anthony Pettis – Pettis won $249,000 and was also awarded $40 000 in performance bonuses.
- Valentina Schevchenko – She won $230,000 with $40 000 in performance bonuses totaling $270,000 in earnings.
- Aleksei Oleinik – Oleinik is often referred to as The Boa Constrictor and won $155,000 with a performance bonus of $70,000.
