Who are the Highest Paid MMA Fighters?

Floyd Mayweather Jr. v Conor McGregor

If you’re reading the latest MMA news, you will see a whole host of familiar names appear. Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Nate Diaz, to name a few, will show up more than once. It’s clear to see that some MMA fighters stand out more than others. Therefore, you can rightly assume that those who appear in the latest MMA news the most will be those that get paid more than others as well. But, by how much? Below, we cover who are the current highest paid MMA fighters in the world.

Alistair Overeem

Alistair Overeem is a former kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He’s the face of many promotional adverts,and many people know him for how decorated he is in the fighting world. With such a buzz surrounding him in the latest MMA news, it makes sense for him to be one of the highest paid MMA fighters. Alistair Overeem earned over $6 million in 2018, making him the fifth-most paid MMA fighter in that year. In his Reebok sponsorship package alone, he received around $850,000 when he fought Sergey Pavlovich.

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor continually appears in the latest MMA news, but not always for the right reasons. Conor often ends up at the center of controversy, but he also earns a whole lot of money in the process. Just to fight to become the UFC lightweight champion, he could make around $15 million. He also receives a lot of money for each PPV fight.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda is unlikely to partake in much fighting any time soon, according to the latest MMA news surrounding her impending wedding, but she’s still one of the highest MMA fighters nonetheless. In her last fight, Ronda earned over three million dollars, not including her cut of the pay-per-view takings. That’s more than enough to set her up!

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva features in the latest MMA news for a range of reasons, the most notable one for being one of the greatest strikers. Anderson is a Brazilian MMA fighter and has been involved in the sport for over two decades.

Known as The Spider, Anderson Silva earns big bucks for every fight in which he is involved. He made over $800,000 in his controversial win against Derek Brunson and is set to receive around $7 million in 2019, fresh back to the sport after a positive drug test for synthetic testosterone.

Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping, who is more commonly known as The Count, is a heavyweight champion worth mega bucks. According to the latest MMA news, he earned a little over $7 million in 2018 and had the potential to earn more in the next few years. Michael was the first British fighter to win a UFC championship, became a FOX studio analyst in 2014, and made a decision to move to the middleweight class after a loss to Rashad Evans. His fight (and subsequent loss) to St-Pierre in 2017 earned him $540,000, as well as a generous $40,000 Reebox sponsorship package.

ChaelSonnen

While ChaelSonnen doesn’t earn as much as the likes of Ronda Rousey or Conor McGregor, he still gets a sizeable sum every time he gets in the ring. What’s more, his success rate according to the MMA news latest is nothing to scoff at.

Chael did say in a podcast interview that fighters of his caliber receive a cut based on ratings, but he probably makes around $1 million for every main event showcase.

Georges St-Pierre

Last, but certainly not least, is Georges St-Pierre. While Georges is yet to make a comeback, there is going to be fireworks and a fat wallet when he does. Georges should get around one million buys for his return, meaning he could earn up to $10 million. Georges last received $400,000 and pay-per-view earnings to the tune of $5 million for his last fight.

The highest paid MMA fighters can change year on year, depending on who’s fighting and who seems to end up in the latest MMA news the most. One thing’s for sure, Georges St-Pierre, Ronda Rousey, and Conor McGregor will not be losing their titles of being the highest paid MMA fighters any time soon.

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