Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the toughest sports in the world. Fighters face extreme physical and mental challenges. Despite this, the biggest UFC stars earn massive money. In 2025, even with injuries or fewer fights, some athletes made millions. This article lists the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
The UFC shifted from the pay-per-view model to a streaming deal with Paramount+ worth $7.7 billion, which officially started in early 2026. But in 2025, top fighters still earned huge payouts from base salaries, bonuses, and sponsorships.
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List of 10 Richest UFC Fighters in 2025
10. Alexandre Pantoja
Alexandre Pantoja earned $2,472,000 in 2025, making him one of the richest UFC fighters in 2025. He was a dominant flyweight champion until late in the year. Pantoja held the flyweight title since July 2023 and was considered the fighter to beat at 125 lbs.
At UFC 317 in June, he submitted Kai Kara-France in the co-main event, earning his fourth consecutive title defense. Unfortunately, in December at UFC 323, he broke his arm only 26 seconds into the fight against Joshua Van, ending his title reign. Despite the loss, his earnings from two fights in 2025 kept him among the top earners.
| Total Earnings | $2,472,000 |
| Division | Flyweight (125 lbs) |
| Fights in 2025 | 2 |
| Notable Result | Win vs Kai Kara-France (UFC 317) |
| Championship Status | Former Flyweight Champion |
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9. Jack Della Maddalena
Jack Della Maddalena earned $2,574,000, placing him among the richest UFC fighters in 2025. Initially scheduled to fight Leon Edwards at UFC London, he instead faced Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 315 in May.
Jack won a unanimous decision against Muhammad, becoming the welterweight champion. His first title defense was against Islam Makhachev, where he lost by decision. Still, his championship win and fight payouts made 2025 a financially successful year.
| Total Earnings | $2,574,000 |
| Division | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Fights in 2025 | 2 |
| Championship Status | Former Welterweight Champion |
| Notable Win | vs Belal Muhammad (UFC 315) |
8. Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev made $2,680,000 in 2025, despite fighting only once, earning him a spot among the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
Chimaev had chased a title for years and finally got a shot in August at UFC 319 against middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. He dominated the fight, winning a one-sided unanimous decision and claiming the middleweight title. His ability to generate hype and stay unbeaten made this single fight highly profitable.
| Total Earnings | $2,680,000 |
| Division | Middleweight (185 lbs) |
| Fights in 2025 | 1 |
| Championship Status | Middleweight Champion |
| Notable Win | vs Dricus du Plessis (UFC 319) |
7. Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili earned $3,374,000 in 2025, making her the highest-paid female fighter and one of the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
She began the year by defeating Tatiana Suarez via unanimous decision at UFC 312, marking her third consecutive strawweight title defense. In October, she vacated her belt to pursue a bigger challenge and moved up to fight Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title at UFC 322. Zhang lost, but her activity and earnings still made her one of the most financially successful fighters of the year.
| Total Earnings | $3,374,000 |
| Divisions Fought | Strawweight & Flyweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 2 |
| Notable Win | vs Tatiana Suarez (UFC 312) |
| Title Status | Former Strawweight Champion |
6. Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria earned $3,540,000 in 2025 with just one fight, placing him among the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
He started the year as featherweight champion but vacated his belt to move to lightweight. Topuria challenged former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and knocked him out in less than half a round, winning another UFC title in a new division. This single fight brought him a huge payday.
| Total Earnings | $3,540,000 |
| Weight Classes | Featherweight & Lightweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 1 |
| Championship Status | Lightweight Champion |
| Notable Win | vs Charles Oliveira |
5. Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall earned $3,542,000 in 2025, securing a place among the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
He spent most of the year inactive but was promoted from interim to full heavyweight champion after Jon Jones retired in June. Aspinall’s only fight was in October at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane, which ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Despite this, he still earned a significant income.
| Total Earnings | $3,542,000 |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 1 |
| Championship Status | Heavyweight Champion |
| Notable Event | No Contest vs Ciryl Gane (UFC 321) |
4. Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev earned $3,582,000, ranking him among the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
He defended his lightweight title in January against Renato Moicano. Later, he moved to welterweight and defeated Jack Della Maddalena, capturing the welterweight championship. Makhachev’s success across two divisions ensured he was both a top performer and a top earner.
| Total Earnings | $3,582,000 |
| Divisions | Lightweight & Welterweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 2 |
| Championships | Former Lightweight & Current Welterweight Champion |
| Notable Wins | vs Renato Moicano, vs Jack Della Maddalena |
3. Alex Pereira
Alex Pereira earned $6,524,000 in 2025, making him one of the richest UFC fighters in 2025.
His year was defined by a rivalry with Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira lost to Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March but got revenge at UFC 320 in October by knocking him out in the first round. This win brought him massive earnings and settled their intense rivalry.
| Total Earnings | $6,524,000 |
| Division | Light Heavyweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 2 |
| Rivalry Opponent | Magomed Ankalaev |
| Notable Win | Knockout vs Ankalaev (UFC 320) |
2. Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili earned $6,824,000, making him second on the richest UFC fighters in 2025 list.
Merab defended his bantamweight title four times in 2025. He beat Umar Nurmagomedov in January at UFC 311, submitted Sean O’Malley in June at UFC 316, and defeated Cory Sandhagen in October at UFC 320. His fourth defense ended in December with a loss to Petr Yan, but his overall earnings were huge.
| Total Earnings | $6,824,000 |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 4 |
| Title Status | Former Bantamweight Champion |
| Notable Loss | vs Petr Yan (UFC 323) |
1. Dricus du Plessis
Dricus du Plessis earned $7,142,000 in 2025, making him the richest UFC fighter in 2025.
He defeated Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in February, earning over $3.3 million. Later, at UFC 319, he fought Khamzat Chimaev and earned more than $3.8 million, though he lost the middleweight title. His total 2025 earnings topped the list, making him the year’s highest-paid UFC fighter.
| Total Earnings | $7,142,000 |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Fights in 2025 | 2 |
| Championship Status | Former Middleweight Champion |
| Notable Win | vs Sean Strickland (UFC 312) |
FAQs
1. Who was the highest-earning UFC fighter in 2025?
Dricus du Plessis earned $7,142,000 in 2025, making him the richest UFC fighter in 2025. His big payouts came from two major fights, including a win over Sean Strickland.
2. How much did the top female UFC fighter earn in 2025?
Zhang Weili was the highest-paid female fighter in 2025, earning $3,374,000. She defended her strawweight title and moved up to challenge for the flyweight belt, securing a strong financial year.
3. Did any fighters make millions with only one fight in 2025?
Yes. Fighters like Khamzat Chimaev, Ilia Topuria, and Tom Aspinall earned over $2.6 million each despite fighting only once. Their championship status and popularity helped them earn high payouts.
4. What factors contribute to UFC fighters being among the richest?
Earnings come from base salaries, fight bonuses, pay-per-view payouts (before 2026), sponsorship deals, and championship wins. Popularity, division changes, and rivalry fights can also significantly increase their income.