In recent years, the popularity of MMA has skyrocketed, surpassing boxing and other combat sports. The net worths of MMA fighters are beginning to underscore that fact as well. With lucrative sponsorships, pay-per-view bonuses, and endorsement deals, some fighters have built fortunes rivaling those of top racing drivers and professional soccer players.
20 Richest MMA Fighters In The World
With the information gathered from Celebrity Net Worth and Forbes, we have compiled a list of 20 of the world’s richest MMA fighters and their current net worth.
1. Michael Bisping (Net Worth: $9 million)
Not only is Michael Bisping a retired mixed martial artist and a former UFC Middleweight Champion, but he is also a commentator, sports analyst, actor, and a recent UFC Hall of Famer. His net worth in 2021 was estimated at about $9 million.
2. Jose Aldo (Net Worth: $9 million)
The Brazilian MMA fighter Jose Aldo was WEC’s fourth and final WEC Featherweight Champion. When WEC and UFC merged, he was crowned the club’s first Featherweight Champion. In 2021, his net worth was estimated to be $9 million.
3. Junior Dos Santos (Net Worth: $10 million)+
With a $10 million net worth in 2021, the next richest MMA fighter is Brazilian UFC star and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos. In 2021 he peaked 4th in the UFC Heavyweight rankings.
4. Jon “Bones” Jones (Net Worth: $10 million)
Next on the richest MMA fighters list is the three-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones. The American fighter was once removed from the UFC rankings and stripped of the privilege of competing there due to “hit & run” felonies. He was, however, reinstated in 2015, and would go on to win the Light Heavyweight title in 2017. He could not stray from controversy, however, as Jon “Bones” Jones tested positive for performance-enhancing substances. By 2021, regardless of status, Jones had an estimated net worth of $10 million.
5. Chael Sonnen (Net Worth: $10 million)
A former member of the WEC, Pancrase and UFC organization, the American MMA fighter Chael Sonnen with an estimated $10 million net worth is up next. As of 2021, he competes in the Light Heavyweight division with the Bellator MMA organization.
6. Frank Mir (Net Worth: $11 million)
Another American currently competing for Bellator MMA is Frank Mir with an estimated 2021 net worth of $11 million. Before switching to fight in Bellator, Mir spent 16 years in the UFC where he held the UFC Heavyweight title, and is the reigning leader for the number of fights, submissions, and wins in the organization’s history.
7. Ronda Rousey (Net Worth: $12 million)
Up next is the only female mixed martial arts fighter on this list, Ronda Rousey. Her net worth is $12 million, and aside from being a martial artist, she is an actress and a judoka. She started her career as a Judo competitor until she transitioned to the UFC. She would go on to win 12 consecutive matches, as well as capture the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship title.
8. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (Net Worth: $12 million)
Formerly a professional wrestler Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is next up on our list. Jackson is an American mixed martial artist and actor who is worth $12 million as of 2021. In his acting career, Jackson has starred in several movie roles, and as a UFC competitor, he has also worn the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
9. Chuck Liddell (Net Worth: $14 million)
Long-time fans of UFC are well familiar with the “Ice Man” Chuck Lidell. Liddell had retired from the sport after competing for years in the UFC, as well as attaining the title of UFC Light Heavyweight champion. At an estimated net worth of $14 million, Liddell retired from the UFC, but will forever be engrained into the UFC memories as a member of the UFC Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon him in 2009.
10. Tito Ortiz (Net Worth: $15 million)
With a net worth of $15 million Jacob Christopher Ortiz, better known to UFC fans as “Tito” Ortiz, the American is a now-retired mixed martial artist. He is not just one of the richest MMA stars in the world, he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and an extremely popular personality in the MMA niche, holding the honor of being one of the biggest Pay Per View draws in UFC’s history.
11. Randy Couture (Net Worth: $17 million)
Randy Couture, with a net worth of $17 million, is not just a retired MMA competitor, but an actor and a former United States Army Sergeant. During his UFC career, he won 6 titles and was one of only three fighters to ever win a championship across multiple weight divisions. The other two are BJ Penn and Conor McGregor.
12. Wanderlei Silva (Net Worth: $18 million)
Wanderlei Silva is an MMA competitor, originally from Brazil, who has competed in the UFC as well as Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championships where he fought in the Middleweight division and is the record holder for the longest winning streak, number of victories, and most title defenses in league history. As the 9th richest MMA fighter in the world, his 2021 estimated worth was roughly $18 million.
13. Fedor Emelianenko (Net Worth: $18 million)
Next up is the $18 million-worth, Bellator MMA Championship fighter, judoka, and sambo expert from Russia, Fedor Emelianenko. Currently competing in the Bellator MMA Championship league, Fedor Emelianenko has earned multiple impressive accolades. These include the competitor in the 2000-2010 fight of the decade, fighter of the year, the heavyweight of the year, the Submission/Beatdown of the Year winner in 2008, as well as being credited for the Knockout of the Year in 2009.
14. Anderson Silva (Net Worth: $18 million)
Another Brazilian mixed martial artist is next on the list as the 7th richest MMA fighter in the world. This time it’s former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. To this day, Silva holds the UFC’s longest winning streak with 16 consecutive wins, 10 of them defending his title. His net worth in 2021 was an estimated $18 million.
15. BJ Penn (Net Worth: $22 million)
Joining Randy Couture in the exclusive club of winners of championships across multiple divisions is an American professional MMA fighter with a specialty in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, formerly carrying both the Welterweight and the Lightweight UFC Championships. In 2021 his net worth was an estimated $22 million.
16. Brock Lesnar (Net Worth: $28 million)
Brock Edward Lesnar is a world-renowned professional wrestler with over 20 years of competition (on and off) with the WWE. Before the WWE he played American football professionally, and while he took several years away from the squared circle, he went to the UFC and became the UFC Heavyweight Championship. All things considered, Brock Lesnar is certainly one of the most successful, richest, and most versatile former UFC competitors with a stunning net worth of $28 million.
17. George St. Pierre (v $30 million)
Widely regarded as one of UFC’s best all-time fighters, Canadian mixed martial artist George St. Pierre held the UFC Welterweight Championship on three separate occasions. With such accolades, no one should be surprised that he is also extremely rich, having an estimated 2021 net worth of $30 million.
18. Khabib Nurmagomedov (Net Worth: $30 million)
The third richest MMA fighter in the world is Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov. He holds the accomplishments of not just being a two-time Combat Sambo World Champion, he was very recently the UFC Lightweight Championship holder as well. He is one of the only MMA fighters to go through his career, retiring in 2020 without ever tasting defeat, establishing the longest (29 matches) winning streak in MMA history.
19. Rorian Gracie (Net Worth: $50 million)
The second richest MMA competitor in the world is Rorian Gracie, a Brazilian-American Jiu-Jitsu Grand Master, lecturer, producer, writer, publisher, and most notably the UFC co-founder. There aren’t many people in the world who hold a 9th-degree red belt in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, but Rorian Gracie is one of them. He also introduced Gracie/Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu to the world. It is no wonder he is estimated to be worth a stunning $50 million.
20. Conor McGregor (Net Worth: $110 million)
Even those who are not regular MMA fans are familiar with the name of “Bad Boy” Conor McGregor. McGregor is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC. He doesn’t just score at the top of this list as the richest MMA fighter in the world with a net worth of $110 million, he rounds out the three fighters (along with Penn and Couture) to win titles between multiple weight classes. Over the last few years, he has truly become a sensation, transcending MMA. Interestingly, most of Cono McGregor’s net worth wasn’t from his MMA career, but from his boxing debut against infamous boxer Floyd Mayweather.
Conclusion:
The world’s top 20 richest MMA fighters have achieved their impressive net worths through years of dedication, hard work, and skill inside and outside the octagon. These athletes have become global superstars, transcending the sport and becoming cultural icons. As MMA continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see even more talented fighters emerge and achieve financial success.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do MMA fighters wear cups?
Yes, MMA fighters are required to wear cups to protect their groin area during fights. Cups are mandatory equipment in most MMA promotions, and failure to wear one can result in disqualification.
Do MMA fighters lift weights?
Yes, many MMA fighters incorporate weightlifting into their training regimen to improve strength, power, and endurance. However, the specifics of their weightlifting routine may vary depending on their individual needs and goals and their coaches’ recommendations.
Do MMA fighters take steroids?
While steroids are banned in MMA and other combat sports, some fighters have tested positive for banned substances. However, it is important to note that not all fighters use steroids, and the use of performance-enhancing drugs is strongly discouraged and penalized in the sport.
Hello, my name is Alex, and I am the founder of Wolfionaire.com, a personal development, and finance blog focused on motivation, success, and wealth. I am obsessed with studying the world's wealthiest individuals and learning about their path to success. I believe anyone can achieve their financial goals with the right mindset and strategies, and I hope to inspire and empower my readers to pursue their own path to success.
