The richest UFC fighters of 2025, ranked
The UFC is big business, and these fighters are cashing in
By Cayle Reid
FORBES RECENTLY VALUED the UFC at $11.3 billion USD. Evidently, there’s money to be made in the business of fighting. But not all of it ends up in Dana White’s pockets. Some of it inevitably trickles down to the people who do all the leg work to make the UFC worth watching: the fighters.
Fighters are typically paid towering sums on a per-fight basis. They get an appearance fee, and a tidy bonus if they happen to win. The biggest names reel in the biggest fees, and the smart ones invest their earnings and maximise their net worths. Some of them even make enough to still be very rich even after they’ve fought off lawsuits and myriad controversies – it happens more often than you’d think.
So, who is the richest UFC fighter in the world? Scroll on to find out.
All figures are estimates only, have been converted to AUD and are accurate as of August 22, 2025.
Who are the richest UFC fighters of 2025?
10. Nate Diaz
Net worth: $12 million
Nate Diaz’s feud with Conor McGregor was a huge drawcard for the UFC in the 2010s. At the peak of the rivalry, Diaz was paid more than $3 million for a single fight with McGregor (a fight that Diaz lost) and a share of the pay-per-view revenue. Add to his fight earnings a lucrative Reebok sponsorship and you have your reason for why Diaz is on this list.
9. Jon Jones
Net worth: $12.5 million
One of the most fearsome UFC fighters of all time, Jon Jones is one guy you do not want to share an octagon with. After 15 years in the UFC, Jones defended his titles a record 11 times, earning considerable purses in the process. He was also the first MMA fighter to be sponsored by Nike internationally, has his own shoe line and a sponsorship deal with Gatorade.
8. Alexander Volkanovski
Net worth: $12.6 million
Alex Volkanovski has the highest net worth of any Australian UFC fighter. His biggest payout came at UFC 294, where he lost to Islam Makhachev. His fight with Ilia Topuria also came with a hefty pay package. These fights, along with endorsement deals with Hublot and Kia, make Volkanovski the richest active UFC fighter.
7. Ronda Rousey
Net worth: $22 million
An Olympic medallist, a UFC bantamweight champion and WWE superstar, Ronda Rousey has done it all. She was the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, and has managed to pivot into a moderately successful acting career, which boosts her net worth. Rousey also has endorsement deals with Fanatics, Reebok, Monster headphones, Carl’s Jr., Max Effort Muscle and Metro PCS.
6. Wanderlei Silva
Net worth: $28 million
One of the UFC’s biggest stars in its early days, Wanderlei Silva helped launch the championship to global popularity. He made most of his net worth from prize purses, which were also accumulated in his time in Japan’s PRIDE league, and from endorsements.
5. Tito Ortiz
Net worth: $29 million
Another of the UFC’s biggest stars from its early days, Tito Ortiz was compensated fairly for his efforts. Thanks to an antitrust lawsuit filed against the UFC in 2023, we actually know exactly how much Ortiz was paid for some of his fights. His biggest career payday appears to have come in 2006 after his fight with Chuck Liddell, for which he netted a cool $5 million
4. Brock Lesnar
Net worth: $30 million
One of the most successful crossover stars in combat sports history, Brock Lesnar was already a big name in pro wrestling before coming to the UFC. He became the UFC’s heavyweight champion, earning millions per fight as a result of his star power.
3. Georges St-Pierre
Net worth: $31 million
Considered by many to be the best welterweight of all time, Quebecois MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre now spends his time flaunting his wealth on TikTok. St-Pierre made most of his money from fight purses, but also has fledgling careers as an actor (he appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, among other films) and public speaker. On TikTok, he mostly shares workouts, tales from his luxury travels, and insights into his collection of dinosaur fossils – yes, we’re telling the truth.
2. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Net worth: $62 million
Khabib retired from the UFC with an undefeated 29-0 record. He was one of the UFC’s biggest draws throughout his career, which was capped off with a huge win against Conor McGregor in 2018. He earned millions from fight purses and has launched his own MMA promotion, Eagle FC, since retiring. Khabib also invests in businesses across Russia and the Middle East.
1. Conor McGregor
Net worth: $311 million
Highly controversial former UFC champion and accused rapist Conor McGregor was once the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draw in history. He has been on the main card for some of the UFC’s biggest events, and has parlayed his success in the octagon into a fruitful business portfolio. McGregor sold his whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve for close to $1 billion, earning a huge personal share, and he still owns various fashion and alcohol brands.
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