UFC 331 lands at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles with a massive world championship rematch headlining the night. In the main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van defends his belt against former champion Alexandre Pantoja. The co-main event brings plenty of fireworks as well, featuring a five-round lightweight clash between top contender Arman Tsarukyan and dangerous striker Mauricio Ruffy. With title gold and rankings on the line, fighters are competing for some of the biggest paychecks of their careers. Here is a breakdown of what the fighters are projected to earn at UFC 331.
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Have the official UFC 331 fighter payouts been confirmed?
While the UFC does not publicly share official fighter pay stubs or full contract sheets, the California State Athletic Commission will release official base payout figures after the event. However, these disclosed purse sheets only show guaranteed show and win money.
They keep private back-end numbers confidential, completely hiding PPV points, promotional compliance pay, and discretionary locker-room bonuses.
Imago
Credit: Imago
Because of this, all salary figures, base purses, and projected totals are calculated using past athletic commission releases, previous contract records, and industry estimates. These numbers do not include private bonuses or undisclosed company perks, but they provide a reliable baseline for each athlete’s guaranteed contractual earnings.
How much is Joshua Van expected to earn?
Joshua Van steps into the cage for his second defense as the undisputed UFC flyweight champion. After winning the belt in their first matchup at UFC 323 and defending it by stoppage against Tatsuro Taira, Van has entered the championship tier of UFC contracts.
For this headlining spot, Van is projected to receive a guaranteed base purse between $350,000 and $500,000. When you factor in potential pay-per-view points, promotional compliance pay, and a win bonus, his total earnings for the night are expected to land between $750,000 and $1.2 million.
How much is Alexandre Pantoja expected to earn?
Alexandre Pantoja enters the Octagon looking to win back the 125-pound title he held for nearly two years. Before an arm injury cut their first meeting short, Pantoja had defended the belt four times against elite contenders, establishing himself as one of the best flyweights in company history.
Thanks to his long run as champion and his veteran contract, Pantoja is projected to earn a base purse between $400,000 and $600,000. With pay-per-view incentives and performance bonuses included, his total payout could easily reach between $800,000 and $1.2 million, making him one of the top earners on the entire card.
How much are Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy expected to earn?
The co-main event lightweight showdown between Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy carries big money alongside title implications. Tsarukyan has fought through the top five of the 155-pound division and commands veteran money for a scheduled five-round co-main event. He is projected to earn a base purse between $250,000 and $350,000, with total earnings climbing to between $500,000 and $700,000 if he gets his hand raised.
Ruffy is on a much newer contract but has quickly built hype as an explosive finisher. Ruffy is estimated to take home a base purse between $50,000 and $80,000. If he pulls off the upset and earns a win bonus or a $50,000 performance check, his total pay could reach between $100,000 and $160,000.
Estimated payouts for other fighters on the UFC 331 card
Former multi-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull brings plenty of experience into his featherweight clash against Dooho Choi. Pitbull is projected to earn a base purse between $150,000 and $250,000, with total compensation potentially reaching $400,000. Dooho Choi is expected to take home between $160,000 and $240,000 if he claims a victory bonus.
Bantamweight fan-favorite Marlon Vera remains a reliable high earner on UFC cards, with estimated earnings between $250,000 and $350,000 for his bout against Charles Jourdain. Heavyweight knockout artist Tai Tuivasa is projected to make between $150,000 and $300,000, while Olympic gold medal wrestler Gable Steveson is expected to collect between $80,000 and $120,000 for his heavyweight appearance.
| Fighter | Estimated Base Purse | Projected Total Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | $350,000 – $500,000 | $750,000 – $1,200,000 |
| Alexandre Pantoja | $400,000 – $600,000 | $800,000 – $1,200,000 |
| Arman Tsarukyan | $250,000 – $350,000 | $500,000 – $700,000 |
| Mauricio Ruffy | $50,000 – $80,000 | $100,000 – $160,000 |
| Patricio Pitbull | $150,000 – $250,000 | $250,000 – $400,000 |
| Dooho Choi | $80,000 – $120,000 | $160,000 – $240,000 |
| Marlon Vera | $150,000 – $200,000 | $250,000 – $350,000 |
| Tai Tuivasa | $100,000 – $150,000 | $150,000 – $300,000 |
| Gable Steveson | $40,000 – $60,000 | $80,000 – $120,000 |
UFC 331 offers huge financial rewards for both reigning titleholders and climbing contenders. While official numbers stay locked away behind closed doors, the mix of guaranteed purses, win bonuses, and pay-per-view incentives ensures that the biggest winners in Los Angeles will walk away with major paydays.