10. Alistair Overeem – $10 Million
Alistair Overeem, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished heavyweight mixed martial artists, made his highly anticipated UFC debut on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141.
Nicknamed “The Demolition Man,” Overeem is renowned for his technical versatility, combining Muay Thai clinch work, powerful kicks, and accurate striking with a strong submission game.
Overeem’s MMA career boasts 47 wins, with 25 victories by knockout or technical knockout (KO/TKO) and 17 by submission, reflecting his status as a well-rounded finisher.
He is also a decorated kickboxer, having captured the prestigious K-1 World Grand Prix Championship in 2010.
Overeem’s UFC tenure, which lasted until his release in March 2021, was marked by high-profile bouts and a title shot against Stipe Miocic at UFC 203. Although he did not capture the UFC belt, his legacy includes wins over elite opponents such as Junior dos Santos, Mark Hunt, and Fabricio Werdum.
Overeem’s marketability and global appeal attracted major corporate endorsements, including partnerships with brands like F3 Nutrition.
Financially, Overeem was among the highest earners in the heavyweight division, reportedly amassing over $9.7 million in total UFC career earnings, with a notable $860,000 purse for his championship fight against Miocic.
9. Ronda Rousey – $14 Million
Despite her prolonged absence from the Octagon, Rousey no longer appears in the official UFC women’s bantamweight rankings, reflecting her inactive status.
Rousey’s legacy includes her record-setting 14-second submission victory over Cat Zingano at UFC 184 on February 28, 2015, a testament to her elite judo background and signature armbar technique.
For that event, she reportedly earned $65,000 to show, an additional $65,000 win bonus, and approximately $1 million from pay-per-view shares. Between June 2014 and June 2015, Rousey’s total earnings from fight purses and endorsements were estimated at $6.5 million, with major sponsorships from brands such as Monster Energy, Carl’s Jr., Reebok, and MetroPCS.
Her undefeated streak ended dramatically at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015, when she suffered a high-profile knockout loss to Holly Holm. Rousey’s star power, however, remained undiminished, with estimated total earnings of $14 million in 2015 from fight purses, pay-per-view points, endorsements, and media appearances.
In her final MMA fight at UFC 207 on December 30, 2016, Rousey earned a disclosed $3 million purse for her bout against Amanda Nunes.
8. Randy Couture
Net Worth: $17 million
Randy is considered to be one of the leading pioneers in the MMA in full contact. More than twenty years ago when he went into the octagon, we saw his popularity increase. He made at least $1 million per match before he retired. One of his most important investments in the designing (interior) of several fitness gyms, including Xtreme Couture, his popular brand. Randy has also performed in The Expendables alongside Sylvester Stallone in his most well-known role. With MMA commentary gigs and shows like Dancing with The Stars, he continues to build his brand.
7. Wanderlei Silva
Net Worth: $18 million
In the epic fighting with many other fighters, Wanderlei Silva was involved in this wealthiest MMA fighter list. His enormous pay is unbelievable given that Wanderlei Silva holds the longest winning streak in PRIDE victories, title defenses, knockouts, and winning streaks. Silva remained a huge magnet despite some narrow defeats.
6. Fedor Emelianenko
Net Worth: $18 million
Considered a living legend, especially in Russia, Fedor Emelianenko is a retired MMA fighter (and the only one on the list) who didn’t compete in UFC.
Globally Fedor is known for his closeness with Russian President Vladimir PutinUFC, President Dana White, and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta had visited Venezuela in 2009 to meet Fedor Emelianenko and his representatives for signing up a potential contract with UFC.
The aim was to put Emelianenko in a battle at Arlington Cowboy’s Stadium with UFC Champion Brock Lesnar. It would have been probably the biggest payroll in the history of UFC if the contract was signed. The representatives of Emelianenko laughed at the offer and unfortunately, Emelianenko retired, without ever competing at UFC. We guess Fedor’s closeness with President Putin is enough for fulfilling his financial ambitions.
However, he made his appearance in UFC 75 with Randy Couture as to promote the clothing line, Affliction Clothing.
5. B.J. Penn
Net Worth: $22 million
BJ Penn is an American mixed martial artist who has a net worth of $22 million and Brazil’s Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He is now fighting in the UFC and was the former UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC Lightweight Champion. In the black belt category of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, PENN is also the first non-Brazilian winner.
4. Brock Lesnar
Net Worth: $28 million
Brock Lesnar, if there’s one superstar that doesn’t need an introduction it’s him. Also known as “The Beast Incarnate” he is one of the strongest wrestlers in WWE’s history.
Brock’s purely physical and athletic superiority with intimidating ‘bullying’ presence gives him an edge over his opponents.
At an early age, he began his career and rapidly climbed up to the fighting star status. Now, what many don’t know is that Lesnar had a contract with UFC, where he is paid $750,000 against a non-champion fighter.
So that is what he took home before any bags, bonuses, or pay-per-view cuts.
These are all documents published in 2018 by the UFC against former combatants.
That rose to 1.65 million dollars as the champion. If Lesnar had the minimum guarantee since the start, his income would have increased to $7,875,000. Again, this can double depending on Lesnar’s PPV agreements without the mentioned variables.
Now, the most recent Lesnar earnings report for the WWE estimated that Lesnar would work nearly a dozen events at $12 million a year.
3. Georges St-Pierre
Net Worth: $30 million
Georges St. Pierre has an estimated Net Worth of $30 million in 2021. His salary for the match alone is 2 million dollars.
If he wins the game, he will get an additional bonus of $2 million.
Because he won so many games, it can be estimated that his salary is $4 million per match.
He is also involved in the Pay Per View sales stake (cut) and earns at least 2.85 million dollars per match with those sales.
He also appeared in four Hollywood films, including big earners such as MCU’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The 37-year-old supports several well-established brands such as Under Armour, NOS energy drinks owned by Coca-Cola, Suzuki Hayabusa, 888 poker and Electronic Arts (EA), Affliction Clothing, Budlight, Reebok, sports brand, and Bacardi liquor. These brands pay him about 1-2 million dollars per fight. He earns from these endorsements $12-15 million a year. He owns a $50,000 Range Rover and a Lamborghini. He has a modern design house in Montreal, Quebec, Canada when it comes to property. The house comprises a built-in fitness center, marble floors, large guest rooms, and a lovely garden and is estimated worth $4 million.
2. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Net Worth: $40 million
After his brawl with Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov saw his net worth soar.
Nurmagomedov was ranked as the No. 1 athlete in Russia last year, according to Forbes magazine, after earning $11.5 million primarily for the fourth round of the competition against Conor McGregor last October. In recent years, Nurmagomedov has also entered into several lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals, including Reebok, Toyota, and Gorilla Energy Drink, an energy drink brand from Russia.
Outside of cash flow, in Russia Khabib has built up a loyal fan base and now has good relations with the president, Vladimir Putin.
1. Conor McGregor
Net Worth: $120 million
Conor McGregor is the king of mixed martial arts box offices and this is likely to hold a record for decades to come, perhaps for centuries.
According to Forbes’ latest breakdown, “The Notorious” made $48 million despite just one fight throughout the year, was the 53rd highest-earning celebrity in 2020.
Conor is the 16th most highly paid sportsman in the world in Forbes’ exclusive list of just athletes. In all, Conor McGregor’s net worth is between $120-130 million.
Recently McGregor revamped his sponsorship agreement with Reebok to earn up to $5m per year. He has supported brands like Burger King, EA, Beats by Dre, Wynn Resorts, Monster Energy and founded his preferred Proper No. Twelve’s Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey.