UFC 254 was one of, if not the biggest, card of this year. A mouth-watering clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje featured at the top of the card.
The UFC 229 card holds the record for most PPV buys. However, as per Dana White, UFC 254 was on track to best UFC 229 in terms of pay-per-view buys.
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The scale of the event was beneficial for all fighters. Not only did the fighters on the card get exposed to many people, they also enjoyed a bountiful payday. It was an excellent opportunity for newcomers to make a name for themselves with the whole world tuned in.
Here is what the UFC fighters made for the fight. The amounts mentioned below are not official figures disclosed by the UFC. It is based on conjecture, and the official figures will be released later.
Early Prelims:
Women Flyweight Fight
- Liana Jojua: $10,000
- Miranda Maverick: $12,000
Lightweight Fight
- Joel Alvarez: $18,000
- Alexander Yakovlev: $26,000
UFC 254 Preliminary card:
Heavyweight Fight
- Stefan Struve: $1,20,000
- Tai Tuivasa: $24,000
Welterweight Fight
- Alex Oliveira: $70.000
- Shavkat Rakhmonov: $10,000
Catchweight Fight
- Nathaniel Wood: $26,000
- Casey Kenney: $22,000
Light Heavyweight Fight
- Jung Da Un: $10,000
- Sam Alvey: $60,000
UFC 254 Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Fight
- Magomed Ankalaev: $45,000
- Ion Cutelaba: $35,000
Women Flyweight Fight
- Lauren Murphy: NA
- Liliya Shakirova: NA
Middleweight Fight
- Jacob Malkoun: $10,000
- Phil Hawes: $10,000
Heavyweight Fight
- Alexander Volkov: $85,000
- Walt Harris: $80,000
Middleweight Fight
- Robert Whittaker: $400,000
- Jared Cannonier: $90,000
Lightweight Title Fight
- Khabib Nurmagomedov: $3,000,00
- Justin Gaethje: $600,000
The most interesting figure from these numbers was what Khabib Nurmagomedov made. It is reported that on his debut ‘The Eagle’ made around $16,000.
8 years and several title defenses down the line, Khabib reportedly earned a base pay of $3 million. A truly mind-boggling, yet well-deserved amount.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Khabib now retires as the undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion. He has cemented his place among the greatest to ever step inside the octagon.
What do you make of the payouts to the fighters at UFC 254? How much do you think Khabib will pocket when it’s all said and done?
