The UFC is heading back to Perth for the fourth time, this weekend marking its first-ever Fight Night at RAC Arena. While Carlos Ulberg and Dominick Reyes headline the card in a crucial light heavyweight clash, fans also keep an eye on another familiar tradition: the Octagon girls. These personalities have become as much a part of the spectacle as the fighters themselves, blending glamour with the intensity of fight night.

For UFC Perth, two names will take center stage: Kristie Pearson and Red Dela Cruz. Both women have carved out unique careers in and beyond the UFC, making them standout figures in the world of combat sports. But who exactly are they, and how much do they earn from the fight game?

All about Kristie Pearson and Red Dela Cruz’s relationship status, Instagram, and more ahead of UFC Perth

Kristie Pearson’s path into MMA culture is tied directly to her marriage. The Australian model met her now-husband, retired UFC lightweight Ross Pearson, while working as a UFC ring girl. Ross, a 26-fight UFC veteran, moved to Australia to be with Kristie, and the pair have built a life together with their two daughters.

Kristie herself is a well-established figure with 79K followers on Instagram. Her career began in Cage Fighting Championship before transitioning to the UFC. Along the way, she appeared on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, where she first crossed paths with Ross. Outside of UFC events, she has also featured in Men’s Fitness, Women’s Health Fitness, and UFC Magazine, cementing her identity as more than just a ring card holder.

Red Dela Cruz, meanwhile, has taken a different path, but one that’s equally trailblazing. Born and raised in Manila, she became the first Filipina Octagon girl in UFC history after winning the UFC Octagon Girl Search. Her presence exploded on the global stage, leading to a career that spans beyond the UFC. She co-hosted Miss Universe Singapore 2015, graced covers like Maxim Australia and Women’s Fitness Australia, and appeared in Men’s Health Singapore. With 426K Instagram followers and over 3 million fans across online platforms, she’s a true international figure.

Her accolades include winning the Ring Girl of the Year award at the Asian MMA Awards in 2020. She was a fixture at UFC’s Fight Island during the pandemic and even featured at Dana White’s Contender Series. Beyond MMA, Red Dela Cruz recently also crossed into boxing as a ring girl for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford megafight. With that covered, let’s shift our focus over to the financial aspect of being a UFC Octagon girl!

Net worth of the UFC Perth Octagon girls

So, how much do UFC ring girls actually make? Reports vary, but according to a report by Sports Brief, their base salary ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 per event, with another $5,000 added if the card is a pay-per-view. While that might sound modest compared to fighters’ purses, the real earnings come outside the Octagon.

Octagon girls often parlay their visibility into modeling contracts, magazine features, brand endorsements, and social media deals. Arianny Celeste and Brittany Palmer are prime examples, reportedly becoming millionaires largely through ventures outside UFC fight nights. Similarly, Kristie Pearson’s magazine appearances and Red Dela Cruz’s global modeling career may have boosted their incomes significantly.

Exact net worth figures for Pearson and Dela Cruz aren’t publicly disclosed. Still, their consistent UFC roles, combined with outside opportunities, suggest both could be earning far more than the baseline event pay.

As UFC Perth approaches, the spotlight isn’t only on Ulberg and Reyes battling for light heavyweight glory. Kristie Pearson and Red Dela Cruz embody the other side of fight night, the glamour and global appeal that surround the Octagon!