This ranking highlights the highest-paid athletes in the world of combat sports, focusing on major figures in both Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and professional boxing. The list accounts for total career earnings, fight purses, and lucrative endorsement deals.
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Currently the highest-earning active combat sports athlete, Alvarez commands massive purses for his blockbuster bouts against top contenders like Gennady Golovkin and Jermall Charlo. His deal-making prowess and star power have made him a financial juggernaut in the boxing world.
McGregor holds the record for the highest single-fight payout in UFC history due to his historic bout against Floyd Mayweather and subsequent pay-per-view success. Despite a reduced recent activity level, his past earnings and brand value remain unprecedented in mixed martial arts.
Widely considered one of the greatest money makers in boxing history, Mayweather retired with over $1 billion in career earnings. His undefeated record and strategic marketing of every fight, particularly against Pacquiao, set the standard for high-stakes boxing purses.
The Filipino legend generated over $1 billion in career earnings, largely driven by his landmark mega-fight against Mayweather. His global appeal and successful political career in the Philippines have sustained his brand value long after his retirement from professional boxing.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Silva was among the first MMA fighters to command seven-figure guaranteed purses. His longevity and championship status in the early days of the UFC's global expansion secured him some of the highest paydays in the sport's history.
Currently the face of the UFC, Jones commands the highest purses in the modern era with multi-million dollar guarantees for title fights. His recent return to the octagon and undefeated legacy have reestablished him as the primary draw for pay-per-view sales.
The heavyweight champion has secured massive contracts and bonus structures following his trilogy bout with Oleksandr Tyshchenko. His ability to negotiate lucrative backend deals and fight bonuses has placed him among the top earners in contemporary professional boxing.
Wilder earned significant fortunes through his heavyweight bouts, particularly the historic clash with Fury that set pay-per-view records. His powerful knockout branding and consistent top-tier matchmaking have maintained his high earning potential throughout his career.
Rousey became the first female MMA fighter to headline a UFC pay-per-view event and command seven-figure guarantees. Her impact on the sport's commercial viability remains unmatched, with her peak earnings driving significant attention to women's combat sports.
During his dominant reign, Nurmagomedov secured substantial purses and backend points, becoming one of the most financially successful UFC fighters. His undefeated record and undefeated legacy in the octagon commanded premium fight bonuses and sponsorship deals.
The former Middleweight Champion generated immense revenue through high-profile title defenses and the blockbuster fight against Alex Pereira. His engaging personality and fighting style have made him a top draw for pay-per-view buys and major brand partnerships.
Ngannou recently signed a historic $300 million deal with PFL after leaving the UFC, marking a significant shift in athlete compensation. His departure and subsequent mega-contract have redefined financial expectations for top-tier mixed martial artists globally.
Lomachenko earned high purses through his technical brilliance and major bouts against Canelo and Woodley. His success in bringing in viewership for diverse matchups has secured him a place among the better-compensated technical champions in recent boxing history.
Spence has commanded substantial paydays through his unification bouts and consistent championship performances in the welterweight division. His reliable drawing power and high-level skills have kept him in the upper echelon of boxing earnings.
Poirier remains one of the most active and highly paid UFC contenders, consistently securing six-figure purses and performance bonuses. His role in numerous blockbuster fights and his popularity have made him a financial cornerstone of the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
Davis commands massive purses for his lightweight and super-lightweight bouts, leveraging his knockout power and celebrity status. His recent high-profile fights have solidified his position as one of the highest-earning fighters in the current boxing landscape.
Garcia has leveraged his social media fame and knockout power to secure significant fight purses and endorsement deals. Despite some recent setbacks, his marketability continues to make him a high-earning asset in the lightweight division.
Masvidal was known for his high-spending culture and significant pay-per-view earnings during his peak years in the UFC. His ability to bring in audiences and deliver exciting fights resulted in some of the larger purses for non-champion fighters in UFC history.
Porter secured large purses through his highly contested bouts with Crawford and Spence, demonstrating his drawing power in the welterweight ranks. His competitive nature and fan-friendly style have consistently resulted in high financial compensation.
Holloway commands high purses as one of the most popular UFC stars, with significant earnings from title fights and promotional appearances. His entertaining fighting style and longevity have made him a reliable draw for major event card slots.