The bright lights of Riyadh are set to shine on a thrilling bantamweight showdown on February 1! Said Nurmagomedov and Vinicius Oliveira will trade leather at UFC Saudi Arabia, and beyond bragging rights, there’s serious cash on the line.

For Oliveira, this fight is a shot at solidifying his presence in the UFC. For Nurmagomedov, it’s a chance to remind the world why his name carries weight. But as fans debate who has the upper hand, another question looms—how much are these combatants taking home?

What is Said Nurmagomedov’s UFC Saudi Arabia Salary?

Said Nurmagomedov’s journey in the UFC has been anything but smooth sailing for the past year. Injuries and fight cancellations kept him sidelined for much of 2024. But whenever he steps into the cage, he makes every moment count.

His last outing was at UFC 294 in October 2023 where he took on Muin Gafurov. With a spectacular first-round guillotine submission, Nurmagomedov took home the ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus. But what was his salary for the fight?

According to sources online, Nurmagomedov reportedly walked away with a cool $116,000! Given his experience and past performances, Nurmagomedov is likely to earn a similar figure for his bout at UFC Saudi Arabia or even higher. It’s important to note that all figures provided in the article are estimations based on publicly available sources and not accurate figures.

With a 7-2 UFC record currently, this fight isn’t just about the money for Said Nurmagomedov. He has been teetering on the edge of the bantamweight rankings as his slick striking and dangerous submission game have made him a threat. Yet he’s struggled with consistency having been away from the Octagon since his last fight at UFC 294. Will he cash in on another dominant performance, or will Vinicius Oliveira throw a wrench into his plans?

Vinicius Oliveira’s payout against Nurmagomedov

Vinicius Oliveira has wasted no time making a name for himself. In just under a year, he’s gone from UFC newcomer to a legitimate problem in the bantamweight division. His knockout of Bernardo Sopaj was a thing of beauty—a flying knee straight out of an action movie.

The DWCS (Dana White’s Contender Series) alum announced his arrival to the UFC by finishing Sopaj in the third round of their 2024 clash. His salary for that fight? It earned him $12,000 to show and $12,000 to win, but more importantly, it put the division on notice. His win also bagged him a ‘Performance of the Night’ and a ‘Fight of the Night bonus’, adding another $100,000 to his earnings.

After that knockout, UFC commentator Jon Anik summed it up best, “Oliveira just might have turned in one of the knockouts of the year, and it is only the second of March.”

Then came Ricky Simon at UFC 303 in June 2024. A tougher test but a bigger payday—$24,000 to show, and the same to win. This time, however, ‘Lok Dog’ secured a unanimous decision over the veteran Simon in just his second UFC appearance.

Now, against Said Nurmagomedov, Oliveira is fighting for more than just a win. The Brazilian will be looking to make another statement with a victory putting him on a 3-fight tear. In the end, both have something to prove. Both have something to lose. And at UFC Saudi Arabia, only one will leave with their hand raised—and a heavier wallet.

Who’s your pick? Will the Dagestani veteran showcase his submission mastery, or will the Brazilian knockout artist steal the show once again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!