Fighter pay in the UFC, now that’s a debate that never seems to end. Are these elite athletes getting what they deserve, or is the UFC still pinching pennies while raking in millions? The promotion has faced legal heat over fighter wages which argues that many were vastly underpaid. Meanwhile, the Global Fight League (GFL), rolls in with perks that sound more like Wall Street incentives than fight contracts. Health insurance, retirement plans, revenue sharing. It’s the kind of deal that makes fighters question if they need Dana White’s patented post-fight bonuses to survive.
But back to the next upcoming card, UFC Vegas 102. Where the real action is happening, not just inside the cage, but at the bank. How much are the fighters pocketing from this event? And more importantly, how do their payouts compare to the ones fighting their way up the ranks?
Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues UFC Vegas 102 payouts?
Jared Cannonier has been a middleweight force for years, but how well does that translate into dollars? One of his biggest paydays came at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier, where he walked away with $195,000. More recently, in August 2024, he fought Caio Borralho, earning a guaranteed $350,000 plus a $21,000 sponsorship payout, though that fight ended in a loss.
Across the Octagon, Gregory ‘Robocop’ Rodrigues has been making his financial strides. At UFC 304 in July 2024, he secured a $72,000 base salary, matched it with a $72,000 win bonus, and added $6,000 in sponsorships, bringing his total to $150,000. Not bad for a guy still carving out his legacy in the division.
So, what does this mean for UFC Vegas 102? Given their recent earnings and the main event spotlight, ‘The Killa Gorilla’ and ‘Robocop’ are likely set for similar, if not better, paydays. The official numbers won’t be out until after the event, but let’s just say neither of these guys will be hunting for discount meal deals anytime soon. While the main eventers always grab the biggest slices of the pie, there’s still plenty of cash floating around. Where do they go?
What about Calvin Kattar and the other fighters?
Calvin Kattar, a fan-favorite featherweight, has raked in six-figure paydays in past fights. While his exact UFC Vegas 102 salary isn’t confirmed, it’s safe to say he’s making enough to keep his bank account in fighting shape. According to mmasalaries.com, ‘The Boston Finisher’ has pulled in around $729,600 in recorded fight earnings so far. His biggest payday? A solid $135,000 for stepping into the cage with Max Holloway at UFC Fight Island 7. With an estimated net worth between $500,000 and $1 million.
But what about the up-and-comers? Here’s where the pay scale starts looking a little uneven. Edmen Shahbazyan fought at UFC Vegas 96, pulling in a base salary of $48,000, plus a $6,000 incentive pay, for a total of $54,000. Lukasz Budka, at UFC Vegas 97, earned $24,000 in purse money, with an extra $4,000 in sponsorships, totaling $28,000.
A far cry from the six-figure club, but hey, everyone’s gotta start somewhere. Meanwhile, Ismael Bonfim pocketed a compliance pay of $4,000 at UFC 301, with his total fight earnings estimated to be somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000. Nazim Sadykhov saw a bigger payday at UFC 295, scoring a $30,000 base salary, a $50,000 performance bonus, and $4,500 in sponsorships, bringing his total to $84,500.
Rodolfo Vieira at UFC Vegas 31 earned $20,000 in base pay, plus a $20,000 win bonus, a $50,000 performance bonus, and an extra $4,500 in sponsorship money, totaling $94,500. Then there’s Andre Petroski, who took home an $18,000 base salary at UFC 292, added an $18,000 win bonus, and finished with a total of $36,000. Not bad, until you consider his opponent, Gerald Meerschaert, lost the fight and still walked away with $100,000. Sometimes, experience pays. Literally.
Elsewhere on the UFC Vegas 102 card, Angela Hill returns to face Brazil’s Ketlen Souza. Hill previously earned a $150,000 guaranteed purse, plus $16,000 in sponsorships, totaling $166,000. Meanwhile, Souza, who picked up a submission win at UFC 306, cashed in a $38,000 guaranteed purse, a $38,000 win bonus, and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, bringing her total to approximately $131,000. These numbers highlight a glaring reality. While main card names command six-figure paydays, rising contenders have to claw their way up for better pay.
Sure, the UFC boasts massive revenues, but does that trickle down fairly? With fighters consistently speaking out about pay disparities, it’s high time the promotion and Dana White rethink the compensation model. And with competitors like GFL offering financial incentives unheard of in UFC contracts, it’s only a matter of time before more fighters start weighing their options.
For now, UFC Vegas 102 guarantees an exciting night of fights. With financial stakes just as high as the ones inside the Octagon. Now, what do you think? Who will walk away with both the win and the biggest paycheck? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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