<p>Conor McGregor earned roughly $25 million from his UFC fight purses over the years and yet, despite that already fairly impressive number, his net worth sits at $200 million. The gap tells you everything about how UFC fighters actually build wealth.</p> <p>Fight money matters but, much like NBA stars and the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/richest-footballers">richest soccer players in the world</a>, the real fortunes come from what happens outside the octagon.</p> <p>McGregor sold his majority stake in Proper No. Twelve whiskey for a reported $150 million. Khabib Nurmagomedov owns the Eagle Fighting Championship. Georges St-Pierre turned his clean image into long-term endorsement deals and acting roles. Brock Lesnar doubled his income by bouncing between UFC and WWE.</p> <p>The UFC's pay structure has always been contentious, with fighters reportedly receiving a smaller revenue share than athletes in other major sports. That reality forces smart fighters to treat the octagon as a launching pad rather than a final destination.</p> <p>These are the richest UFC fighters in 2026, ranked by total net worth. If you're interested in following the action, check out the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-matches">UFC fight odds</a> to see how the current generation of fighters stack up.</p> <h2>Conor McGregor Net Worth: $200 Million</h2> <p>The Notorious stands alone at the top. McGregor transformed from a plumber's apprentice collecting welfare payments in Dublin to the highest-paid fighter in combat sports history. His path wasn't just about knockouts.</p> <p>McGregor's UFC career earnings total around $130 million when you factor in pay-per-view revenue shares.</p> <p>His 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo, the wars with Nate Diaz, and the grudge match against Khabib Nurmagomedov drove massive PPV numbers. He appears in eight of the ten highest-selling UFC events ever.</p> <p>The Floyd Mayweather boxing match in 2017 is the one that changed everything, since McGregor reportedly took home $100 million from that single fight, despite losing. In case anyone still needed proof of it, those earnings proved his drawing power extended beyond MMA.</p> <p>But the whiskey made him rich. McGregor launched Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey in 2018, naming it after his Dublin 12 neighbourhood. In 2021, he sold his majority stake to Proximo Spirits in a deal valued at $600 million, with McGregor reportedly pocketing $150 million from the transaction.</p> <p>On top of that, he also owns pubs in Dublin, a fashion brand called August McGregor, and has landed acting roles including the 2024 Road House remake.</p> <h2>Khabib Nurmagomedov Net Worth: $40 Million</h2> <p>The Eagle retired with a perfect 29-0 record and never looked back. Khabib walked away from the UFC in 2020 after submitting Justin Gaethje, fulfilling a promise to his mother following his father's death.</p> <p>His UFC career earnings totalled approximately $21.7 million, with the biggest paydays coming in his final fights. The Conor McGregor bout at UFC 229 earned him around $6 million (after a $500,000 fine for the post-fight brawl), and he pulled similar figures for the Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje fights.</p> <p>Since retirement, Khabib has built a business empire. He owns Eagle Fighting Championship, an MMA promotion that has expanded internationally with events in the United States.</p> <p>He runs Fitroo by Khabib, a sports nutrition company, and owns stakes in restaurants across Russia. His endorsement deals with Toyota, Reebok, Gorilla Energy, and various Middle Eastern brands generate steady income.</p> <p>Khabib also commands serious money for appearances and motivational speaking, reportedly earning up to $300,000 per engagement.</p> <p>With over 35 million Instagram followers, his influence extends well beyond MMA. He now focuses on coaching, helping teammates like Islam Makhachev dominate the lightweight division.</p> <h2>Georges St-Pierre Net Worth: $30 Million</h2> <p>GSP is widely considered the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/ufc-news/greatest-fighters-of-all-time">greatest UFC fighter of all time</a>. The Canadian dominated the 170-pound division for years, racking up the most title defences in UFC welterweight history with nine successful defences across two reigns.</p> <p>His UFC career earnings reached approximately $10-11 million from fight purses alone, with his biggest payday coming against Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in 2017 when he moved up to middleweight and claimed a second divisional title. That fight reportedly earned him around $6 million.</p> <p>St-Pierre's clean image and professional demeanour made him attractive to mainstream sponsors. He landed deals with Under Armour, Hayabusa, and various Canadian brands that boosted his earnings significantly beyond his fight purses. Unlike many fighters, GSP avoided controversy throughout his career, which translated into long-term commercial relationships.</p> <p>After retiring from MMA, St-Pierre transitioned into acting. He appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier as Batroc the Leaper and reprised the role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series. These Hollywood paydays, combined with his continued sponsorship income and speaking engagements, have kept his net worth growing even without fighting.</p> <h2>Brock Lesnar Net Worth: $28 Million</h2> <p>Lesnar remains the ultimate crossover star in combat sports. The former NCAA wrestling champion moved from WWE to UFC, won the heavyweight title, then returned to professional wrestling while occasionally dipping back into MMA.</p> <p>His UFC career was brief but lucrative. Lesnar earned the single largest disclosed payout in UFC history when he received $8 million for his fight against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in 2016. His star power from WWE meant he commanded top-tier money from day one.</p> <p>The WWE contracts have been the real money maker. Lesnar's part-time schedule with WWE reportedly pays him several million dollars annually for limited appearances, making him one of the highest-paid performers per appearance in wrestling history. His ability to draw audiences in both MMA and professional wrestling gives him unique leverage that no other fighter has replicated.</p> <p>Lesnar lives on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, far from the spotlight. He's notoriously private and rarely does media appearances, which only adds to his mystique and drawing power when he does show up.</p> <h2>Jon Jones Net Worth: $10-25 Million</h2> <p>Bones is arguably the most talented fighter to ever compete in the UFC. He became the youngest champion in UFC history at 23 years old and has dominated two weight classes across more than a decade.</p> <p>Jones' career earnings from UFC fights exceed $15 million in disclosed purses and bonuses. His move to heavyweight proved lucrative, with victories over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 commanding significant paydays. The Miocic fight reportedly earned him north of $5 million.</p> <p>However, Jones' earning potential has been hampered by controversies. Failed drug tests, legal issues including a hit-and-run incident, and long periods of inactivity have cost him sponsorship deals. Nike signed him as the first MMA fighter with an international deal, only to drop him after legal troubles. Reebok and MuscleTech followed suit.</p> <p>Despite the setbacks, Jones remains one of the biggest draws in the sport. A potential superfight against Alex Pereira or a boxing match could significantly boost his net worth if he stays active.</p> <h2>Ronda Rousey Net Worth: $14 Million</h2> <p>Rousey didn't just compete in the UFC. She transformed it. As the first female fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, she opened doors that changed the sport forever.</p> <p>Her UFC career saw her earn approximately $3-4 million in fight purses, with her biggest paydays coming against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. But Rousey's influence extended far beyond those numbers. She appeared on mainstream talk shows, magazine covers, and brought unprecedented attention to women's MMA.</p> <p>After her UFC career ended with back-to-back knockout losses, Rousey pivoted to WWE, signing a contract reportedly worth $1 million per year. She headlined WrestleMania and became one of the top draws in professional wrestling before stepping away to focus on family.</p> <p>Her endorsement portfolio has included deals with Reebok, Monster Energy, Carl's Jr., and Metro PCS. She's also built an acting career with roles in Furious 7, The Expendables 3, and Mile 22. Rousey now runs a sustainable farm in California with her husband, former UFC heavyweight Travis Browne.</p> <h2>Anderson Silva Net Worth: $18 Million</h2> <p>The Spider holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days. His ten consecutive middleweight title defences stood as the benchmark for dominance until it was matched by Demetrious Johnson.</p> <p>Silva's fighting style made him a global icon. The precision striking, the matrix-like head movement, the front kick knockout of Vitor Belfort. He made violence look like art. His UFC career earnings totalled several million dollars, though exact figures from his peak years aren't fully disclosed.</p> <p>After leaving the UFC in 2020, Silva continued fighting in boxing, including a surprising victory over former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He's also competed in exhibition matches and maintained endorsement relationships with Brazilian brands.</p> <p>Silva has dabbled in acting and remains a respected figure in martial arts circles. His influence on the sport's development, particularly in bringing Brazilian MMA to global audiences, extends beyond his financial earnings.</p> <h2>Tito Ortiz Net Worth: $20 Million</h2> <p>The Huntington Beach Bad Boy was instrumental in the UFC's early growth. Ortiz held the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/ufc-news/weight-divisions">UFC light heavyweight</a> title during a critical period when the promotion was building mainstream legitimacy.</p> <p>His trilogy with Chuck Liddell defined an era. The rivalry drew massive audiences and helped establish the UFC as a legitimate sporting organisation. Ortiz's biggest career payday reportedly came from one of those Liddell fights, earning him approximately $5 million.</p> <p>Beyond fighting, Ortiz built income through reality television appearances, including Celebrity Big Brother. He's also been involved in promoting his own events and has maintained a presence in the combat sports world through commentary and analysis roles.</p> <p>Ortiz briefly entered politics, serving on the Huntington Beach City Council in 2021, though he resigned after less than a year. His name recognition from the UFC's growth period continues to provide opportunities decades after his prime fighting years.</p> <h2>Israel Adesanya Net Worth: $8 Million</h2> <p>The Last Stylebender represents the modern era of UFC stardom. The Nigerian-New Zealander brings anime references, dance moves, and devastating kickboxing to a sport that often lacks personality.</p> <p>Adesanya signed one of the richest contracts in UFC history for a non-heavyweight in 2022. His title defences against Robert Whittaker, Marvin Vettori, and Jared Cannonier all commanded multi-million dollar paydays. The rematch against Alex Pereira reportedly earned him his biggest UFC payday to date.</p> <p>His endorsement portfolio includes deals with Puma, Engage, and various gaming and lifestyle brands. Adesanya's social media presence and charismatic personality make him attractive to sponsors targeting younger demographics.</p> <p>At 35, Adesanya remains one of the UFC's top draws. His willingness to take tough fights and his highlight-reel knockouts ensure he'll continue commanding premium paydays. If he recaptures the middleweight title, expect his net worth to climb significantly.</p> <h2>Alex Volkanovski Net Worth: $6 Million</h2> <p>The Pride of Wollongong stands as the richest active Australian UFC fighter. Volkanovski dominated the featherweight division, successfully defending his title multiple times before challenging for the lightweight belt.</p> <p>His biggest paydays came from the Islam Makhachev fights at UFC 284 and UFC 294, where he challenged for the lightweight championship. Despite coming up short in both attempts, these bouts earned him career-high purses. The Perth fight at UFC 284 was particularly significant, drawing massive Australian audiences.</p> <p>Volkanovski's endorsement deals reflect his status as Australia's top MMA export. He's partnered with Hublot watches, Kia Motors, and various Australian brands. His appearances on The Ultimate Fighter as a coach raised his profile further.</p> <p>A former rugby league player who lost 40 kilograms to become a featherweight, Volkanovski's story resonates with Australian sports fans. At 36, he's likely in the final stretch of his career, but remains one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>Who is the richest UFC fighter of all time?</h3> <p>Conor McGregor is the richest UFC fighter of all time with an estimated net worth of $200 million. His wealth comes primarily from the sale of his Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand, UFC earnings including PPV revenue shares, and endorsement deals.</p> <h3>How much do UFC fighters get paid per fight?</h3> <p>UFC fighter pay varies enormously. Newcomers might earn $10,000-$15,000 to show and another $10,000-$15,000 for a win. Mid-tier fighters typically earn $50,000-$150,000 per fight. Champions and main event stars can earn $500,000 to several million dollars, with PPV points potentially doubling or tripling those figures.</p> <h3>Is Khabib richer than Conor McGregor?</h3> <p>No. Conor McGregor's net worth of $200 million is approximately five times larger than Khabib Nurmagomedov's $40 million. While Khabib earned substantial fight purses and has built successful businesses, McGregor's whiskey sale and higher PPV earnings gave him a significant financial advantage.</p> <h3>Who is the richest Australian UFC fighter?</h3> <p>Alex Volkanovski is the richest Australian UFC fighter with an estimated net worth of $6 million. His wealth comes from his reign as featherweight champion, two lightweight title challenges, and endorsement deals with brands like Hublot and Kia.</p> <h3>How did Conor McGregor make his money?</h3> <p>Conor McGregor built his fortune through UFC fight purses and PPV revenue (approximately $130 million total), the Floyd Mayweather boxing match ($100 million), selling his majority stake in Proper No. Twelve whiskey ($150 million), and various endorsement deals with brands like Reebok, Beats by Dre, and Burger King.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-ufc">Everything you need to know before placing your first UFC bet</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/predictions">Who's tipped to win this weekend's UFC card?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/ufc-news/best-ufc-fights-of-all-time">The bouts that had everyone on the edge of their seats</a></li> </ul>