What Are the 10 Biggest UFC Payouts in History?

10 Biggest UFC Payouts in History

The UFC is known for its wide range of fighter payouts, with athletes starting out making as little as $10,000 per fight. However, once they rise to fame and earn a reputation, their paydays skyrocket, reaching millions. While fighters like Conor McGregor may not make as much in the UFC as in boxing, many have still left the Octagon as multi-millionaires. Below are the top 10 highest UFC payouts in history, based on public releases from athletic commissions and Zuffa documents from the UFC Antitrust Trial.

Top 10 UFC Payouts – Top Pro Fighters

Fighter Name	Event	Payout	Description
1.Brock Lesnar	UFC 200	$8,000,000	The WWE superstar returned to the Octagon at UFC 200, defeating Mark Hunt and earning the biggest payout in UFC history.
2.Conor McGregor	UFC 205	$6,812,374	McGregor dominated Eddie Alvarez to become a double champion in Madison Square Garden, earning nearly $7 million.
3.Conor McGregor	UFC 202	$5,615,490	McGregor avenged his earlier loss to Nate Diaz with a majority decision win, earning over $5.6 million in the process.
4.Conor McGregor	UFC 196	$5,576,315	Despite losing to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, McGregor pocketed over $5.5 million after this historic upset.
5.Ronda Rousey	UFC 207	$4,879,766	In her final UFC fight, Rousey was defeated by Amanda Nunes but still walked away with nearly $5 million.
6.Ronda Rousey	UFC 193	$4,536,932	Rousey suffered her first knockout loss to Holly Holm, but earned a massive payday from the bout.
7.Conor McGregor	UFC 194	$4,476,662	McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds, marking his career-high payday at the time.
8.Anderson Silva	UFC 168	$4,374,326	Silva’s career took a turn after suffering a brutal leg break in his rematch with Chris Weidman.
9.Nate Diaz	UFC 202	$4,315,490	Despite losing to McGregor in their rematch, Diaz earned a significant payday of over $4.3 million.
10.Georges St-Pierre	UFC 129	$4,314,289	St-Pierre defended his title against Jake Shields in front of a record-breaking crowd in Canada, earning his highest payout.

The Best Payouts in UFC History

The Rise of Mega Payouts in the UFC

The fighters on this list are evidence of how lucrative UFC stardom can be. From early stars like Georges St-Pierre to modern-day icons like Conor McGregor, these paydays show just how much fighters can earn once they become household names. Brock Lesnar’s $8 million payout remains the highest, demonstrating how crossover appeal from WWE and other entertainment industries can also contribute to a fighter’s marketability.

Why Are UFC Fighters Paid So Much?

Pay-Per-View Sales: The UFC’s revenue model relies heavily on PPV sales. The more people buy the event, the bigger the payday for its headliners.
Marketability: Fighters like McGregor and Rousey are more than just athletes—they’re brands. Sponsorship deals, media appearances, and fan followings boost their overall earnings.
Event Size: Events like UFC 200 and UFC 205, which took place in huge arenas like Madison Square Garden, drew massive crowds, leading to higher fighter payouts.