Tonight, the UFC makes its long-awaited return to Vancouver after a two-year hiatus. While Canada has regularly featured on Dana White & Co.’s itinerary, the saying “better late than never” certainly applies as fans prepare to witness the explosive UFC Fight Night 262 card, set against a crisp autumn backdrop. The spotlight will be on the middleweight clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen, a matchup set to shape the division for years to come.

The co-main event guarantees just as much excitement, with welterweights Kevin Holland and Mike Malott squaring off in a fast-paced, entertaining showdown. Beyond the headliners, Rogers Arena will host 11 additional bouts, including Marlon Vera vs. Aleem Zahabi. With such a stacked lineup, UFC is clearly staking its claim on the British Columbia fight scene, making this autumn card one fans won’t soon forget. But the action inside the Octagon isn’t the only story — the event also raises questions about fighter pay. Let’s inspect how much the UFC Vancouver card will put in the fighters’ pockets.

Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen Payout at UFC Vancouver

Former two-division ONE Champion Reinier de Ridder made his UFC debut last year at the age of 34. Wasting no time, de Ridder quickly climbed into the top five of the middleweight division, achieving this in just four UFC bouts. His undefeated 4-0 record in the Octagon strengthens his case for a future title shot. ‘The Dutch Knight’ has become a fan favorite, most recently earning a split-decision victory over former champion Robert Whittaker. His UFC journey began with a win over Gerald Meerschaert, followed by victories against veteran Kevin Holland and rising star Bo Nickal.

On the financial side, ‘RDR’ earned $12,000 in show money for his UFC debut, which, including bonuses and sponsorships, totaled $21,000. With each win, his fight purse has steadily increased, peaking at $300,000 in his most recent fight. If he outperforms Brendan Allen in the upcoming bout, Reinier de Ridder could potentially take home around $400,000. Ninth-ranked Brendan Allen has been making his mark in the middleweight division.

The Louisiana native secured a key victory over Marvin Vettori at UFC 318, aiming to re-enter the title conversation. ‘All In’ started his UFC career with strong momentum but suffered decision losses in his last two fights against top contenders Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez. He bounced back in July, bringing his record to 8-2 in his last 10 Octagon outings.

Regarding earnings, Brendan Allen took home $21,000 for his fight against Anthony Hernandez despite the loss in Seattle. In his previous bout at UFC 318 against Marvin Vettori, he earned $312,000. For the upcoming fight in Vancouver, ‘All In’ could earn between $250,000 and $285,000, though the non–pay-per-view card typically limits fighter payouts compared to PPV events.

Salaries of Kevin Holland, Mike Malott and others at UFC Vancouver

Kevin Holland has firmly carved out his place in the UFC, choosing to fight for the “lifestyle” rather than chasing titles or legendary status. In just seven years, the Texas native has surpassed 25 fights, taking on opponents across both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, including high-profile names like Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder. With such a packed fight resume, the ‘Trailblazer’ stands out as one of the most active competitors in the promotion, averaging three to five fights per year.

At UFC Vancouver, Kevin Holland will step into the Octagon against rising welterweight Mike Malott. This marks Holland’s fifth outing since UFC 318, where he faced Daniel Rodriguez and earned $421,000. ‘Trailblazer’ began the year with a loss to Reinier de Ridder, taking home $25,000, but rebounded with consecutive victories before falling again to Rodriguez. His career-high payday came against Vicente Luque at UFC 316, netting him $471,000. For the upcoming bout with Malott, the UFC is set to pay Holland between $375,000 and $425,000.

As for hometown favorite Mike Malott, the rising star earned $54,500 in his sole UFC defeat against Neil Magny, though detailed earnings for other bouts remain scarce. Other fights on the card also carry notable stakes. Bantamweight Marlon Vera, a former title challenger, reportedly earned $250,000 for his 2024 clash with Sean O’Malley.For UFC Vancouver, Vera is expected to take home between $200,000 and $250,000, highlighting the growing financial rewards that top-tier fighters earn outside pay-per-view events..

With UFC Vancouver Fight Night yet to unfold, all eyes are on the Octagon as the event will reveal the final payouts. Stay tuned for the latest updates.