How much money do MMA fighters make?

[gytre]

I'm very curious to know roughly how much these guys get paid. Obviously some of them are on secure contracts with the UFC which presumably includes them doing marketing and promotions as well as fighting.

And then presumably, fighters are paid by the fight as well. Some UFC fighters are professionals, but others rely on earning a living elsewhere. Obviously the UFC is making heaps of money these days so it would interesting to know some figures.

Does anyone have any clue?

[Magnum]

Low level guys not all that much purely from the UFC - $5000-10000 for a fight on a UFC prelim (say a Sam Stout, Justin McCully, etc) then the mid range guys can make 30-70K depending on the name (Gonzaga, Marcus Davis, etc). The top level blokes get the real coin (100K - 500K per fight) that would be from the Rashads right up to Lesnar. Lesnar is probably the biggest 'name' in the UFC. Chuck, Randy, Rich Franklin and also Anderson, GSP, Nogueria would get good salaries too of 250K+ per fight. And then there are win bonuses, depending on the contract, and fight of the nights, submission of the night etc. Some also get a cut of the PPV numbers.

Wouldn't be suprised also if someone like Kimbo got 100K plus though because of the drawing power.

Also You can see what the pay schedules are, most are published.

Here's an example from UFC 100 - http://www.cagepotato.com/ufc-100-salaries-lesnar-st-pierre-henderson-earn-big

This doesn't include sponsorship, which most fighters have. I'd say almost anyone that is a regular in the UFC would be on 70K+ per annum when sponsorship is taken into account. The top guys, fighting 3 times per year would be easily doing a million a year.

It's not boxing level, but its getting closer as the sport goes more mainstream.

[no31]

Low level guys not all that much purely from the UFC - $5000-10000 for a fight on a UFC prelim (say a Sam Stout, Justin McCully, etc) then the mid range guys can make 30-70K depending on the name (Gonzaga, Marcus Davis, etc). The top level blokes get the real coin (100K - 500K per fight) that would be from the Rashads right up to Lesnar. Lesnar is probably the biggest 'name' in the UFC. Chuck, Randy, Rich Franklin and also Anderson, GSP, Nogueria would get good salaries too of 250K+ per fight. And then there are win bonuses, depending on the contract, and fight of the nights, submission of the night etc. Some also get a cut of the PPV numbers.

Wouldn't be suprised also if someone like Kimbo got 100K plus though because of the drawing power.

Also You can see what the pay schedules are, most are published.

Here's an example from UFC 100 - http://www.cagepotato.com/ufc-100-salaries-lesnar-st-pierre-henderson-earn-big

This doesn't include sponsorship, which most fighters have. I'd say almost anyone that is a regular in the UFC would be on 70K+ per annum when sponsorship is taken into account. The top guys, fighting 3 times per year would be easily doing a million a year.

It's not boxing level, but its getting closer as the sport goes more mainstream.

and they all deserve evey cent that they get!!!!!!

[Todd_Gack]

There's also (apparently) money bonuses that gets given to fighters that isnt announced, on top of announced money.

Plus top guys are clearing $1m+ an event once they get their PPV cut. Assuming the event does well of course.

And undercard fighters still dont get paid enough!

[RobbyRoy]

I haven't seen his recent figures, but even up until last year Rich Franklin was only making around 40k a fight. I remember because I found it weird that a veteran of the UFC, and a former champion, was still on relatively small coin.

[daniel7]

from what ive read they double the listed fight money if they win
ie GSP might get 500 grand for the fight thats doubled if he wins
plus any locker room bonus Dana coughs up then he gets a cut
of the pay per view revenue so any of the top guys like GSP,anderson silva,chuck and lesnar could easily take in 1.5 million per fight. two big fights a year and sponsorship deals its not big dollar boxing money but
still a pretty good earn:thumbsu: