• Loading stock data...
Saturday, May 3, 2025

The 20 Highest-Paid UFC Fighters

  • Connor McGregor has earned more than six of the highest-paid UFC Fighters combined.
  • The top five highest-paid UFC fighters represent 45% of the total earnings.
Conor McGregor draped in the Ireland flag
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

UFC fighters pay a tremendous toll on their bodies to fight for a living. It helps to get compensated well for the beating. 

Conor McGregor is the highest-earning UFC Fighter of all time. The former two-division champion has raked in $39.3 million from his fights. This doesn’t include Pay-Per-View earnings or endorsements. 

In 2016, ‘The NotoriousMMA’ held both the Featherweight and Lightweight championship belts. Only six other fighters have ever achieved this feat

His legendary trolling and pre-fight antics have helped him claim the top spot on the list of both the highest-earning and most watched UFC Fighters.

Khabib Nurmagomedov comes in as the second highest-earning UFC Fighter. Khabib ended his career in 2021 as the only UFC Fighter to ever retire undefeated. He earned $22.9 million during his time in the octagon, going 29-0 with eight wins by knockout and eleven by submission. 

Alistair Overeem began his fighting career at 19 and has earned $15.4 million over his two decades of fighting. As the third highest-earning UFC Fighter, Overeem never earned less than six figures for any of his fights during his UFC career. 

The man who still holds the record for the longest title defense in UFC History holds the fourth spot on the list. Anderson Silva, known as the Spider, has earned $13.5 million during his fighting career. 

He spent seven years as the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion, recording 16 straight wins in that span. 

Rounding off the top five is heavyweight fighter Andrei Arlovski. Arlovski made his UFC debut at UFC 28, defeating Aaron Brink by submission

He earned the most money in a single fight in a loss to Fedor Emelianenko in 2009. Under the Affliction MMA brand, the fight grossed Andrei ‘The Pitbull’ Arlovski $1.5 million. 

Out of the top 20 highest-earning UFC Fighters, over half of them have earned over $10 million. Only Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov have eclipsed the $20 million mark in career earnings. 

Ranking The Highest-Earning UFC Fighters

Here is the list of the highest-earning UFC Fighters, compiled using data from BetMGM.

Updated: December 6, 2024

RankFighterWeight ClassTotal Compensation
1Conor McGregorFeatherweight, Lightweight$39.3 million
2Khabib NurmagomedovLightweight$22.9 million
3Alistair OvereemHeavyweight$15.4 million
4Anderson SilvaMiddleweight$13.5 million
5Andrei ArlovskiHeavyweight$11.2 million
6Michael BispingMiddleweight$11.1 million
7Junior Dos SantosHeavyweight$11 million
8Georges St-PierreWelterweight, Middleweight$10.95 million
9Jon JonesLight Heavyweight, Heavyweight$10.9 million
10Donald CerroneLightweight, Welterweight$10.6 million
11Daniel CormierLight Heavyweight, Heavyweight$10.2 million
12Mark HuntHeavyweight$9.8 million
13Stipe MiocicHeavyweight$9.4 million
14Vitor BelfortHeavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight$9 million
15Dan HendersonMiddleweight$8.5 million
16Brock LesnarHeavyweight$5.295 million
17Jose AldoBantamweight, Featherweight$5.27 million
18Mauricio RuaLight Heavyweight$5.27 million
19Frankie EdgarLightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight$5.158 million
20Lyoto MachidaLight Heavyweight, Middleweight$5.035 million

Related highest-paid lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Highest-Paid NFL Kickers in 2025

Five kickers are earning under $2 million a year.

The Highest-Paid NFL Punters in 2025

Michael Dickson is the highest-paid NFL punter in 2025.

How Much Will 2025 NFL Draft Picks Make?

First-round draft picks will make over $200 million more than players drafted during rounds 2 and 3.

The Highest-Paid NFL Safeties in 2025

Kerby Joseph resets the market, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid safety ever.

Featured Today

Mint juelps

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.
Apr 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
April 30, 2025

The Pirates Are Struggling, But Paul Skenes Fever Is Still Spreading

The 22-year-old pitcher is (finally) giving Pittsburgh something to cheer for.
April 29, 2025

How DJ Adam Amin Mixes Baseball With Bangers

Amin is one of Fox’s top NFL and MLB voices.
Aug 9, 2024; Paris Saint-Denis, France; Fred Kerley (USA) and Kyree King (USA) react after the men’s 4x100m relay during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France.

Fred Kerley Arrested Again at Grand Slam Track Hotel

He hit his ex-girlfriend, another track athlete, the police report says.
May 1, 2025

Ferrari’s Enormous Lewis Hamilton Gamble Yet to Pay Off

The legendary driver has not found the podium with his new team.
Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the third quarter during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum.
May 1, 2025

Pacers Ban Tyrese Haliburton’s Father for ‘Forseeable Future’

John Haliburton got in the face of Giannis Antetokounmpo after Tuesday’s Game 5.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
May 1, 2025

Caitlin Clark Breaks Another Record—This Time in Ticket Prices

Tickets for Sunday’s preseason game cost $440 on average.
Allyson Felix
May 1, 2025

Allyson Felix on Olympic Pay, Nike, and Track’s Big-Money Era

Felix talked to FOS about her push to help Olympic parents and more.
Shedeur Sanders
April 30, 2025

NFL Fines Falcons $250K, Jeff Ulbrich $100K For Shedeur Sanders Prank Call

Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son prank-called the quarterback during the NFL Draft.
Max Purcell
April 29, 2025

Tennis Has Another Doping Mess On Its Hands

A Grand Slam doubles champion was banned 18 months.