The Richest MMA Fighters Of 2021

In previous years, boxers made significantly higher sums of money than mixed martial art fighters. This was no doubt due to the huge crowds that fighters were able to pull across weight divisions. However, the financial climate has changed in recent years due to the rise in UFC’s popularity. This increased awareness and followership have allowed MMA fighters to level the financial playing ground to an extent. Sponsorship and MMA betting websites are at an all-time high, generating huge revenue for fighters, fans, and organizers.

The playing ground is perhaps more than leveled, considering Conor McGregor topped the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes last year, a new record for MMA fighters. While this was largely due to his earnings outside the Octagon, it showcases how MMA fighters are increasingly moving up the earnings ladder.

Have you ever wondered how much these brave athletes make from each fight or endorsement? As a true MMA fan, your place is in the passenger seat, right next to our expert Evelyn Balyton as we shine the light on the richest MMA fighters of 2021.

Richest MMA Fighters Of 2021

1. Conor McGregor

Were you even expecting to see another name? Conor McGregor is the richest MMA athlete of all time. The Irishman topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes earlier this year thanks to his endorsements and the sale of his liquor business. While it is unclear how much each fighter makes per fight due to the pay-per-view contract bonuses, speculations exist that this man makes as much as $3 million from each fight. He also has endorsement deals with Reebok, Beats by Dre, and Burger King. As one of the more popular faces of the UFC and MMA in general, he’s worth around $300 million. Having earned $180 million in the past financial year per Forbes’, the pound-for-pound fighter is probably worth even more.

2. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib is the current UFC lightweight champion and one of the highest-ranking athletes in the MMA world. He holds the longest undefeated streak in the UFC with 28 fights and is the longest-reigning UFC lightweight champion. Khabib has recently announced his retirement and become an MMA promoter, with a net worth of $30 million. At the time of retirement, he was top of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian has immense love for the Octagon and upon retirement, purchased a Russian-based MMA fighting Championship to promote the sport in his home country.

3. Georges St Pierre

Georges St Pierre is a Canadian MMA fighter contracted with the UFC. He is also one of the four fighters to have won titles across two weight divisions, namely the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. In addition, he has dealt with Bacardi, Electronic Arts, Under Armour, and Coca-Cola in terms of endorsements. His career earnings and deals surged his net worth to $30 million, tying him with Khabib. His MMA career totals 28 fights, with 26 wins and two losses. Pierre retired in 2019 and was inducted into the Modern Wing of the UFC’s hall of fame a year later.

4. Brock Lesnar

Yes, the eight-time WWE champion once battled in the UFC, as recently as 2016. However, the American is a complete sportsman, turning out for NFL side Minnesota Vikings, fighting in the UFC, and eventually becoming a professional WWE wrestler. Brock Lesnar is the only man to have held both the UFC and WWE titles. The 43-year-old spent five years in MMA, winning the UFC heavyweight title before returning to the WWE ring. He’s worth $28 million and is the fourth richest UFC athlete of all time.

5. BJ Penn

Jay Dee “BJ” Penn is an MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He has fought in three weight divisions of the UFC, including the lightweight, middleweight, and welterweight divisions. Of those three, he won titles in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. His MMA career spanned 32 fights, with 16 wins, fourteen losses, and two draws. JD Penn is currently worth $22 million and got inducted into the UFC’s Modern Wing Hall Of Fame in 2015 as its inaugural member.

While some of these fighters are still active, most of those on this list have retired from the Octagon. One notable name who didn’t make our list is UFC co-founder Rorian Gracie, worth $50 million. Being a writer, producer, and lecturer, his fortunes are spread across several ventures. Nonetheless, he’s famous for spreading the Brazilian jiu-jitsu gospel across the world.

Most of these names are familiar to Filipino spectators who take their love of the game to the next step at MMA betting websites. These sites allow you to wager bets on match outcomes and gain financial rewards for your MMA passion. However, if you’re a regular MMA bettor, you should read our review of these betting sites for a more blissful MMA betting experience.