UFC 170 reported fighter purses range from 160K for Cormier to 8K

UFC 170 Fighter Purses

Feb. 22, 2014

Mandalay Bay

Las Vegas, Nevada

The below figures are based on the fighter purse information that promoters are required by law to submit to the state athletic commissions, including the winners’ bonuses. They were obtained from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Ronda Rousey: $110,000 (includes $55,000 win bonus)

Sara McMann: $16,000

Daniel Cormier: $160,000 (includes $80,000 win bonus)

Patrick Cummins: $8,000

Rory MacDonald: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus)

Demian Maia: $64,000

Mike Pyle: $96,000 (includes $48,000 win bonus)

T.J. Waldburger: $18,000

Stephen Thompson: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)

Robert Whittaker: $15,000

Alexis Davis: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)

Jessica Eye: $8,000

Raphael Assuncao: $56,000 (includes $28,000 win bonus)

Pedro Munhoz: $8,000

Aljamain Sterling: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Cody Gibson: $8,000

Zach Makovsky: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)

Josh Sampo: $10,000

Erik Koch: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)

Rafaello Oliveira: $14,000

Ernest Chavez: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Yosdenis Cedeno: $8,000

The figures do not represent a full accounting of each fighter’s income.

Fighters bear significant costs typically including training expenses, a percentage to management, a percentage to the trainer, plus insurance, licenses, and taxes.

On the income side, sponsorship money can be a substantial portion of income, although they have markedly dropped lately. As well there are explicit ‘of the Night’ performance bonuses, and less formal ‘locker room bonuses.’

Headlining fighters typically also receive a stepped percentage of PPV buys, that increase if the fighters drawing power pushes the number higher.

And many fighters earn income from teaching, from appearances, and in some cases from regular employment in the non fighting space.