How Much Is Ilia Topuria Making Against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298?

Published 02/17/2024, 6:38 AM EST

Despite the concerns around fighter pay, the top guys in the UFC make the most money in all of mixed martial arts. While critics will argue that the Dana White-led promotion pays its athletes much less as a percentage of profits than other major sports organizations such as the NBA and NFL, seemingly, the champions and stars are paid exceedingly well. Rising UFC prospect Ilia Topuria is on the cusp of reaching the next level and making serious money to complement his rising star power. But how serious are we talking?

If he can defeat Alexander Volkanovski at their UFC 298 main event bout in Anaheim, California this Saturday, he will join the seven-figure club like ‘Volk’, who will earn over a million in base salary alone. Ahead of the most important fight of his career so far, let us take a look at how much money he is likely to make from the bout.

Will Ilia Topuria get PPV share for UFC 298?

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Ilia Topuria has made quite an impact in only six fights in the UFC. He defeated Josh Emmet via a unanimous decision in his last fight back in June 2023. He reportedly made $100k in show and win money and was awarded an additional $50k ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus as the headliner of the Fight Night card.

This time around, however, he will headline a title bout at a pay-per-view event and will be paid commensurate to the magnitude of the event. According to reports, the undefeated Georgian could walk home up to around $532k richer after the Anaheim, California card.

As the other half of a title fight, he will get $500k as base salary and $32k as incentive payout. He will also get a win bonus if he defeats ‘Volk’ along with any bonuses that he may earn off of his UFC 298 performance.

However, the 27-year-old will reportedly not receive any pay-per-view points. Becoming a champion will change that. Not to mention that it would come as a huge shock to the UFC world if Topuria can, in fact, live up to his hyperbolic trash talk against Volkanovski.

Ilia Topuria promises a first round knock out

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After Alexander Volkanovski said he would show Ilia Topuria that there were levels to this game and snap his undefeated streak, ‘El Matador’ was incensed, promising to knock out “old” Volkanovski in the first round and advising him to retire on account of his age.

“If you think someone can imitate me, that means that your last fight has left you with lasting effects! I will knock you out in the first round. You’re old, it’s time to retire,” Topuria wrote in response.

Watch This Story: Conor McGregor Receives His Main Event as Ilia Topuria Demands UFC Spain After Michael Chandler Fight

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And as their fight approaches, the Georgian’s confidence level has only ratcheted up, approaching Conor McGregor’s levels. In a recent interview, Topuria, who has already put the words “UFC Champion” in his Instagram bio as a manifestation technique, said that he was destined to defeat Volk and become champion. “It’s inevitable [that] I’m going to win this fight. It’s my destiny, you know. It always was my destiny,” Topuria asserted. Who do you think will walk out the featherweight champion after the UFC 298 main event?

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Written by:

Kanishk Thakur is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports with nearly 5 years of professional writing experience. Kanishk has expertly covered the heated rivalries of the fight game, and delivered meticulous reports of payouts of PPV events and Fight Nights, in addition to covering the personal side of fighters outside the sport. He is also an ardent Joe Rogan fan, who hopes to draw in more fans to the sport as Rogan did for him.

Edited by:

Joyita Das

How Much Is Ilia Topuria Making Against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298?

Will Ilia Topuria get PPV share for UFC 298?

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Ilia Topuria promises a first round knock out