The highest-paid fighters in UFC history

UFC has grown to become one of the biggest cultural phenomena of recent times. It’s hard to believe the sport itself – at least coined as UFC – was only founded in 1993. Mixed martial arts had been around before then, of course, but this was year zero in terms of its growth of it as the huge draw it is now.

UFC fighters are now elite sports personalities earning elite sportsman’s wages. Betting on UFC has become one of sports betting’s most lucrative books: you can check out the odds on upcoming bouts at Leovegas UK, for example. But we’ve decided to take a look at some of the highest-paid fighters in the history of the sport. Getting an exact handle on numbers can be a little tricky, of course, but these career purses are based on declared earnings from UFC contracts. So that excludes Pay-Per-View and external marketing, plus money earnt from different disciplines (such as Conor McGregor fighting Floyd Mayweather).

So, here we go – these are the highest earners in UFC history. These are estimated figures based on several sources and not the exact figures.

15) Dan Henderson

Reported to have earned just under $5.5 million from MMA, which included a short run with rival organization Strikeforce. Believed by many to be the best UFC fighter in history never to hold a title, Henderson’s two most lucrative fights were his final two, against Vince Lombard and Michael Bisping respectively.

14) Vitor Belfort

As well as the money earned in that bout against Henderson (not to mention the two other editions of the trilogy fight), Belfort earned plenty from his long career in UFC – a reported $5.7m no less. Among the Brazilian’s distinctions are his 14 finishes, tying for third in UFC history.

13) Stipe Miocic

Believed by many to be one of, it not the best UFC fighter of all time, and has a cool $6m to show for it. The Daniel Cormier trilogy fights added a huge chunk to this purse, while UFC 241 was his biggest payday, securing the American over $800,000.

12) Mark Hunt

Famously known as the ‘Super Samoan’, it’s hard to believe Hunt was never a UFC Champion. That didn’t stop him from earning a reported $6.3m from multiple fights, especially taking on Brock Lesnar.

11) Daniel Cormier

Involved in one of the most exciting trilogy bouts in UFC history against Stipe Moiocic, with another two huge bankers against Jon Jones. Cormier was a serial headliner at UFC events, and took on the best that UFC had to offer in securing just over $6.5m.

10) Donald Cerrone

The ‘Cowboy’ holds the most records in UFC history, so deserves his place on this list, securing a little more than $7m over the course of his illustrious career. Two huge fights against Conor McGregor and Al Iaquinta no doubt helped Cerrone climb this list.

9) George St-Pierre

This Canadian brawler is widely regarded as one of the best to take to the octagon. He’s also among a few on this list to hold titles at two weights, in his case welterweight and middleweight. A former Canadian athlete of the year to boot, there’s little doubting this Quebec native’s place on this list with more than $7m in career earnings.

8) Junior dos Santos

This Brazilian former UFC heavyweight champion is also a professional wrestler. But just from MMA dos Santos earned well over $7 million, with a reported $800,000 from his rematch for the heavyweight crown against Stipe Miocic.

7) Michael Bisping

‘The Count’ was a strong performer throughout his illustrious UFC career, and secured some massive paydays against two other men on this list: George St-Pierre and Dan Henderson. No one can begrudge this warrior’s $7.1m, which earns him a position among the best-paid fighters in UFC history.

6) Jon Jones

We can’t dispute the place of the youngest UFC champion in history. There are a number of records held by Jones at the light heavyweight level, including most title defenses. No surprise to find the American here with career earnings of nearly $7.25m.

5) Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva was long arguably the most popular fighter in MMA. A boxer to boot, Silva deserves his place on this list – with a reported $8.7m – for having the longest title reign in the history of UFC. 2,457 days in case you are wondering.

4) Andrei Arlovski

Known as the ‘Pitbull’, Arlovski has been active in MMA for nearly 25 years, which is quite something. It’s that longevity as much as anything that has earned the Belarussian/American career earnings of just shy of $10m.

3) Alistair Overeem

A huge earner and one of only three men to secure over $10,000,000 in career earnings. ‘The Reem’ was controversial, but this MMA and kickboxing champion was involved in huge bouts, and is a true sporting allrounder.

2) Khabib Nurmagomedov

The best fighter in UFC history? His record of 29-0 is second to none, and he barely lost a round in his career, let alone a fight. His match against McGregor was a monumental event that has only been replicated a couple of times in the history of the sport. Fully deserving of the over $14.5m he has purportedly earnt.

1) Conor McGregor

Who else? Every fighter who took on the Irishman pocketed the biggest pay-day of their careers. And ‘The Notorious’ secured the UFC organization more money than any other fighter. His career earnings from UFC are dwarfed from what he’s picked up in PPV and other ventures, but more than $20 million is not to be sniffed at.

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