20 Best-Paid Fighters in UFC History [Ranked]

Since skyrocketing in popularity in the late 2000s, the UFC has cemented itself as the ultimate proving ground for the world's top mixed martial artists. While pioneers like Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock first put the sport on the map, it was stars like Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, and Tito Ortiz who helped bring MMA into the mainstream.

However, the sport’s rapid growth over the last two decades means that none of these legends make the cut when it comes to the top 20 highest-paid UFC fighters of all time. Fighter pay has long been a controversial topic, but since the UFC was sold to Endeavor for over $4 billion in 2016, its biggest stars have earned staggering sums.

Below is a breakdown of the 20 highest-paid fighters in UFC history, based on figures from Bet MGM and Betimate’s salary reports. It’s important to note that these numbers reflect earnings from fights only and do not account for discretionary bonuses, sponsorships, or pay-per-view revenue.

10. Andrei Arlovski

UFC earnings: $11,200,000

A former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski headlined multiple pay-per-view events throughout his career. However, it was his remarkable longevity that allowed him to amass eight-figure earnings inside the Octagon. Across multiple stints with the promotion, "The Pitbull" fought 41 times for the UFC. While he never secured a single life-changing payday, his consistent presence in the division ensured he regularly earned solid purses while competing against the world's top heavyweights.

9. Israel Adesanya

UFC earnings: $11,500,000

"The Last Stylebender" has been a fixture in UFC main events in recent years, a status that has significantly boosted his earnings. As a former two-time middleweight champion, he cemented his place among the sport's elite by successfully defending the 185-pound title five times. Despite currently being on a three-fight losing streak, Adesanya remains one of the UFC’s biggest stars, ensuring he will continue to feature in high-profile bouts—even if a championship isn’t at stake.

8. Alex Pereira

UFC earnings: $12,500,000

Despite having just 11 UFC fights under his belt, Alex Pereira has already become one of the promotion’s highest-earning fighters. The Brazilian striker raked in over $8 million in 2024 alone, with his $3.3 million payday for defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 standing as his most lucrative purse to date. Although he lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Magomed Ankalaev in March, Pereira's aggressive, fan-friendly style ensures he remains one of the most popular fighters on the roster.

7. Brock Lesnar

UFC earnings: $13,295,000

The only man to ever hold heavyweight titles in both WWE and the UFC, Brock Lesnar amassed significant wealth throughout his combat sports career. His star power ensured he was among the UFC’s highest-paid athletes whenever he stepped into the Octagon. However, when the promotion sought to bring him back from WWE for the co-main event of UFC 200, Lesnar was reportedly offered an $8 million purse—a deal he gladly accepted to face Mark Hunt in a three-round bout. Though rumors of a return have surfaced over the years, Lesnar never fought again, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s biggest draws.

6. Anderson Silva

UFC earnings: $13,500,000

A staple of UFC pay-per-view main events from 2006 to 2013, Anderson Silva cemented his legacy as the greatest middleweight of all time while consistently earning base purses between $600,000 and $800,000 during his legendary 15-fight win streak. Had "The Spider" been in his prime a few years later—when fighter salaries saw a significant boost—he would likely rank even higher on this list.

5. Stipe Miocic

UFC earnings: $13,600,000

Widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, Stipe Miocic has battled some of the division’s biggest names, securing victories over legends like Daniel Cormier and Francis Ngannou. While he typically earned around $750,000 per fight, his biggest payday came in what would be the final bout of his career. Miocic took home over $4 million for facing Jon Jones at UFC 309. Though he lost via third-round stoppage, the former champion displayed immense heart, closing his storied career inside the iconic Madison Square Garden against one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time.

4. Alistair Overeem

UFC earnings: $14,400,500

After the UFC acquired his contract through its purchase of Strikeforce, Alistair Overeem secured some of the biggest purses among heavyweights of his era, as the promotion honored his pre-existing deal. "The Demolition Man" consistently earned a base pay close to $1 million per fight—a rate that remained steady throughout most of his 21 bouts in the UFC. While the Dutch powerhouse never captured UFC gold, he did claim a notable victory over former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

3. Jon Jones

UFC earnings: $17,200,000

UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly hailed Jon Jones as the greatest fighter in the world today, and his paychecks certainly reflect that status. A two-weight world champion, "Bones" dominated the light heavyweight division before moving up to heavyweight, where he captured the UFC title in his debut fight. The switch in weight class also came with a significant pay increase, as Jones earned $3 million for his first-round submission of Ciryl Gane. His first title defense against Stipe Miocic saw that figure rise to over $6 million. While fans are eager to see Jones square off against interim champion Tom Aspinall, the American veteran has made it clear that only a record-breaking payday will make the fight a reality.

2. Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC earnings: $22,900,000

Khabib Nurmagomedov ranks second on this list, despite retiring at the peak of his career while still reigning as UFC Lightweight Champion in 2021. "The Eagle" became one of the sport’s biggest stars, largely due to his heated rivalry with Conor McGregor. Their UFC 229 showdown remains the most purchased pay-per-view event in UFC history, earning Khabib a massive payday. He was also well-compensated for subsequent title defenses against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Though money was never his primary motivation, Nurmagomedov undoubtedly left a fortune on the table when he decided to walk away from the sport.

1. Conor McGregor

UFC earnings: $39,300,000

There was only ever going to be one name at the top of this list. While his $40 million in UFC fight earnings is just a fraction of his overall wealth, Conor McGregor remains the highest-paid fighter in the promotion’s history by a considerable margin. In fact, he accounts for five of the top 10 highest individual fight payouts in UFC history. "The Notorious" has made a fortune taking on the likes of Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz, and Eddie Alvarez. His lead at the top would be even greater had he not been inactive for nearly four years. But even if he never steps inside the Octagon again, the two-division champion is already set for life financially.