The UFC has seen some of the most powerful and determined fighters in the world. Some have said that it comes down to luck, while others believe that timing is a critical factor that any underdog needs to master in order to become a champion.
Because of the immense amount of stamina and strength that is demonstrated within the octagon, it makes for some of the most tense fan viewing. Check out the latest UFC spreads for more information on the latest developments. Here are the five highest paid fighters in the 2022 UFC.
Conor McGregor – $25 Million
Firstly, Conor McGregor is widely considered to be one of the greatest UFC fighters out there. He is known as the UFC ‘golden boy’ for his consistent fighting ability demonstrated throughout his career as a professional mixed martial artist. McGregor has a total UFC earning of $25,104,000, and has the highest salary of any UFC fighter in 2022.
The eighth-best lightweight fighter earned a $15.2 million for a 31-second-long defeat in Vegas against Donald Cowboy Cerrone during his comeback fight in January. This Irishman is known to openly speak his mind, and it has certainly contributed to his champion status and fame within the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov – $14 Million
Totaling $14,770,200, Khabib Nurmagomedov is a Russian icon for his efforts as a UFC champion. He is the second-highest fighter of 2022, and many have considered Nurmagomedov as the number one lightweight of all time.
The first Muslim to win a UFC title has earned a huge amount of recognition for his strength and power as a champion fighter. Nurmagomedov’s last three victories are responsible for his impressive earnings. The lightweight entered the octagon against Conor McGregor for a truly historic fight
Andrei Arlovski – $10 Million
A slightly older fighter who was an icon within the UFC in previous decades is Andrei Arlovski. The former UFC heavyweight champion earned a total of $10,361,000 during his fighting career.
He is currently the third-highest earning professional fighter within the UFC, and holds the record for the most bouts as well as wins within the championship. The Belarusian mixed martial artist is still a widely talked about fighter who was unstoppable in the octagon.
Arlovski’s punch has been known to successfully knock out his opponent, and the power is highly impressive for this champion. Having stood out as a young fighter during the European championships, Arlovski continued to prove himself during his UFC career. Not only that, but he earned a significant amount as a result.
Alistair Overeem – $10 Million
Also known as ‘the demolition man’, Alistair Overeem maintained a champion status for the duration of his career within the UFC. He was the first fighter to hold K-1 Kickboxing and MMA titles at the same time, and Overeem had a salary of $10,204,500.
However, this figure is exclusive to his UFC career. The heavyweight had so many bouts during his career, that his total earnings are likely to double if these were added. Overeem is one of the most legendary fighters to appear within the UFC, and his legacy continues to raise the bar for young fighters.
The Dutch professional heavyweight truly is a powerful fighter, and he earned a selection of bonuses at the end of many iconic fights.
Anderson Silva – $8 Million
Finally, Anderson Silva totaled $8,732,000 for his unbeatable status within the UFC. Many have regarded the Brazilian middleweight as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. However, it wasn’t until UFC 208 that the champion began to generate higher earnings consistently.
He earned $600,000 for showing up, and his iconic status was becoming profitable around the same time. As well as sponsorships, winning bonuses, and earnings from fights outside the UFC, Silva is one of the highest paid fighters within the championship.
Within the octagon, Silva had a reputation for defending his title as one of the most consistent champions that the UFC has ever seen. He defeated Olympic winners during the peak of his career, and had an impressive number of consecutive wins in the octagon.
Silva stood out among UFC fighters, and many have argued that his total earnings are not indicative of his accomplishments within the championship.
Summary
The UFC has seen an enormous amount of talent and mixed martial artists with impressive capacities for power, defense, and agility. Each fighter has a unique ability to bounce back from the toughest defeats and return to the octagon for a rematch.
Champions have been known to earn enormous amounts of money as a result of their performance in the octagon, and the fighters above are some of the highest paid within the UFC. Make sure that you are looking out for the latest developments to see how up-and-coming fighters within each weight category are likely to perform.
Consider how the performance of the fighters above will compare to new champions, and whether any of the iconic UFC members are likely to be challenged for their position on the list.