The Top 20 Richest MMA Fighters in the World

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Some of the richest MMA fighters in the World: McGregor and Khabib, to name a few, earn both fame and wealth at an unprecedented amount. However, Mixed Martial Arts is challenging and requires passion and determination. This article will uncover the top 20 richest MMA Fighters in detail.

Moreover, when individuals make a sport the center of their life, mainly a problematic sport like MMA, money has to follow their way.

One cannot just wish to be a Mixed Martial Artist today, pursue it tomorrow, and gain fame the other day.

Fighters have to dedicate years to understanding the dynamics inside the octagon. 

MMA-championship-theme
MMA championship, one of the highly entertained fight matches (Source: 123RF)

MMA is the most authentic and unfiltered version of the feuds we see on screen.

Here, we have listed the top 20 richest MMA fighters in the World. We hope you won’t be surprised.

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The list comprises MMA fighters’ net worth, background, and a brief career overview. Stick to the end and find out who tops the chart!

Top 20 Richest MMA Fighters in the World

The information mentioned below is derived from Forbes and Celebrity Net Worth. Happy Reading!

20. Michael Bisping (Net Worth: $9 Million)

Michael Bisping is a retired British Mixed Martial Artist, sports analyst, commentator, and actor.

The UFC Hall of Famer fought in the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, becoming the first British fighter to have competed in a UFC main event (from UFC 78).

Michael-Bisping
Michael Bisping (Source: Wikipedia)

Similarly, Bisping is the first British fighter to have won a UFC Championship and stands as the only British fighter to have done so. 

As of 2022, Michael Bisping is the 20th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World, with a net worth of $9 Million.

19. Jose Aldo (Net Worth: $9 Million)

José Aldo da Silva Oliveira Jr. currently ranks #4 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight rankings.

The Brazilian Mixed Martial Artist, named The 2009 Fighter of the Year by The Sherdog, transitioned to bantamweight in 2019.

Jose-Aldo
Jose Aldo ((Source: Bloody Elbow)

He is also the former UFC featherweight champion overall, having won the title thrice.

Similarly, Aldo remained undefeated for a decade from 2005 to 2015.

In addition, he won 18 straight fights for the time being.

As of 2022, Jose Aldo’s net worth is estimated to be $9 million, making him the 19th richest MMA fighter in the World.

18. Donald Cerrone (Net Worth: $9.5 Million)

Donald Antony Cerrone, also known as Cowboy, currently fights in the Welterweight Division of the UFC.

The American Mixed Martial Artist holds the record of having most bouts in the UFC at 37.

Similarly, he grabbed the record of having the most wins at UFC with his 23 victories.

Donald Serrone
Donald Cerrone (Source: Instagram)

He also has the highest number of post-fight bonus awards having 18 of them, and the most knockdowns with 20 in the UFC.

Donald Cerrone currently has a net worth of $9.5 Million, making him the 18th richest MMA fighter in the World.

He has been an actor in the movies; Terror on the Prairie, The Commando, The Equalizer 2, Embattled, etc.

Top 98 Donald Cerrone Quotes >>

17. Yoel Romero (Net Worth: $10 Million)

Yoel Romero Palacio is a Mixed Martial Artist from Cuba. He is affiliated with Bellator MMA and competes in the Light Heavyweight division.

He was also associated with the UFC, competing in the middleweight division. Also, he is a former freestyle wrestler.

The MMA audience recognizes him as one of the most athletic artists in MMA.

Romero
Yoel Romero (Source: TheUFCNews)

Yoel Romero is currently the 18th richest MMA fighter globally, with a wealth accumulation of $10 Million.

16. Junior Dos Santos (Net Worth: $10 Million)

Junior dos Santos Almeida is a former UFC heavyweight champion. The UFC released him on March 3, 2021.

The Brazilian Mixed Martial Artist had victories over some of the toughest MMA fighters.

Junior Dios Santos
Junior Dos Santos (Source: Instagram)

He paved the path from small Brazil-based promotion to UFC, working as a professional MMA fighter for almost 15 years.

As of 2022, Junior Dos Santos has a net worth of $10 Million. He stands firm as the 17th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World.

15. Chael Sonnen (Net Worth: $10 Million)

Chael Patrick Sonnen is a retired American Mixed Martial Artist. Sonnen, however, never won a UFC Championship.

He currently works as a Mixed Martial Art (MMA) analyst and submission grappling promoter.

He had several victories over world champions in light heavyweight, middleweight, and heavyweight categories.

Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen (Source: Reddit.com)

Similarly, Sonnen is one of the best MMA analysts who now indulges in Submission Underground (SUG), his venture for a submission wrestling promotion.

Chael Sonnen has a net worth of $10 Million, making him the 16th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World as of 2022.

Top 98 Chael Sonnen Quotes >>

14. Alistair Overeem (Net Worth: $10 Million)

The Dutch professional Mixed Martial Artist Alistair Cees Overeem was the first fighter to receive world titles in Mixed Martial Arts and K-1 kickboxing simultaneously.

He was a challenger for the UFC heavyweight title. He is also a former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion.

Overeem
Alistair Overeem (Source: MMA Fighters)

Similarly, he was a DREAM Heavyweight Champion and K-1 World Grand Prix Champion.

Alistair Overeem has a net worth of $10 million, making him the 14th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World.

You might also be interested in reading: Top 20 Richest Athletes in the World>>

13. Frank Mir (Net Worth: $11 Million)

Francisco Santos Mir III is a Mixed Martial Artist and professional wrestler.

He recently competed in the heavyweight division for Bellator MMA after competing in the UFC for 16 years.

He has been the UFC heavyweight champion twice.

Moreover, he is the record holder for having the most finishes, and the most submission wins in the history of UFC Heavyweight.

Frank Mir
Frank Mir (Source: Pinterest)

Mir is also into professional wrestling since 2019, and he got into boxing recently in 2021. He has also worked as a color commentator.

As of 2022, Frank Mir has a net worth of $11 Million, making him the 13th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World.

You might be interested in reading: The 20 Richest NFL Players in the World>>

12. Chuck Liddell (Net Worth: $12 Million)

The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Charles David Liddell, first retired in December 2010.

But he returned in April 2018. He then announced his second retirement in March 2020.

The American Mixed Martial Artist practiced and executed everything from Karate, Kenpo, and Kickboxing to wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell (Source: Instagram)

Having fought in 23 MMA fights, Liddel contributed a lot to leading MMA towards becoming a part of mainstream American sports and entertainment.

He is also in the UFC Hall of Fame since 2009.

Chuck Liddel is the 12th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World as of 2022, having a net worth of $12 Million.

11. Ronda Rousey (Net Worth: $13 Million)

Ronda Jean Rousey is a retired American Mixed Martial Artist. She is also a professional wrestler and a judoka.

She was the UFC women’s bantamweight champion and held the record of having the most UFC title defenses for women.

Likewise, she is the first female fighter to get inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

rousey
Ronda Rousey (Source: WKYC.com )

She also has a pretty successful WWE career, winning the Raw Women’s Championship.

Moreover, she is the first female fighter to have won both WWE and UFC Championships.

As of 2022, Ronda Rousey is the 11th richest MMA fighter in the world, with a net worth of $13 Million.

Rousey paved the path, and we now look forward to seeing more women fighters on the list of top 20 richest MMA fighters in the world list. 

10. Randy Couture (Net Worth: $17 Million)

Randy Duane Couture is a retired Mixed Martial Artist, former U.S. army sergeant, collegiate, Greco-Roman wrestler, and actor.

He won the UFC Heavyweight Championship thrice, UFC light heavyweight championship twice, and an interim UFC light heavyweight championship.

Randy-Couture-richest-mma-players
Randy Couture (Source: Pinterest)

Couture is in the UFC Hall of Fame. He even won a UFC championship after being a Hall of Famer.

Moreover, he is the oldest fighter to have won a UFC championship.

As of 2022, Randy Couture has a net worth of $17 Million. He is the 10th richer MMA fighter in the World.

You might want to read: Top 20 Richest Boxers in the World 2021 >>

9. Wanderlei Silva (Net Worth: $20 Million)

The Brazilian American Mixed Martial Artist Wanderlei César da Silva has competed in the UFC.

He has also fought in Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships.

Similarly, he recently fought for Bellator MMA in heavy and light-district divisions.

Wanderlei-Silva
Wanderlei Silva (Source: Wallpaper Cave)

He is the fighter with the highest number of wins, title defenses, knockouts, and longest winning streak in PRIDE history.

Moreover, Silva is the former PRIDE Middleweight Champion and the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.

Wanderlei Silva has a net worth of $20 Million, standing tall and proud as the 8th richest MMA fighter in the World.

8. Fedor Emelianenko (Net Worth: $20 Million)

Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko currently fights for the Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation.

The Russian Mixed Martial Artist competes in the heavyweight category.

He is also a Sambist (Sambo: Soviet martial art) and a judoka.

In MMA, he has fought against and won over several world champions.

American sports magazine Sports Illustrated named him one of the top MMA fighters of the 2000s.

fedor
Fedor Emelianenko with his Championship Belt (Source: Peace-sport.org)

As of 2022, Fedor Emelianenko has a net worth of $20 Million and is the 8th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World.

7. Tito Ortiz (Net Worth: $20 Million)

The former light heavyweight champion, Jacob Christopher “Tito” Ortiz, is an American Mixed Martial Artist famous for his stints with the UFC.

He is also into politics. Further, Ortiz is currently associated with the mixed martial arts franchise Combate Global.

Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz (Source: Mercurynews.com)

He is also the CEO of Huntington Beach-based Punishment Athletics MMA equipment and clothing line.

He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2012 as the ninth inductee.

Tito Ortiz is the 7th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World as of 2022, with a net worth of $20 Million.

Top 100 Tito Ortiz Quotes >>

6. BJ Penn (Net Worth: $22 Million)

Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III is a professional Mixed Martial Artist who has been the UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion.

He competed in all Featherweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Middleweight divisions.

He is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, becoming the first Gold medalist of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship from the United States.

BJ Penn
BJ Penn (Source: Instagram)

Penn is considered one of the greatest lightweight fighters in the history of MMA.

He set various records and won against various MMA champions.

BJ Penn has a net worth of $22 Million, making him the 6th wealthiest MMA fighter in the World.

5. Brock Lesnar (Net Worth: $25 Million)

The American-Canadian retired Mixed Martial Artist Brock Lesnar began his career in UFC in 2006.

However, he is a very popular wrestler currently affiliated with WWE.

Lesnar is the longest-reigning WWE Universal Champion ever. 

The UFC cherished Lesnar as the box office sensation as he was part of many bestselling pay-per-view events.

Consequently, he is one of the richest MMA fighters in the World. Alos, he is a one-time UFC heavyweight champion.

brock-lesnar-in-ufc
Brock Lesnar in UFC (Source: Pinterest)

He retired from MMA because of an injury. His last statement as a Mixed Martial Artist in 2011 was: “tonight is the last time you’ll see me in the octagon.”

However, Lesnar returned to MMA again in 2015. Surprisingly, he is also a football player.

The Minnesota Vikings of the NFL signed him; however, his football career ended due to a groin injury.

Brock Lesnar has a net worth of $25 Million as of 2022. He is the 5th richest MMA fighter in the World.

Also, read about Mya Lynn Lesnar and Luke Lesnar.

4. Georges St-Pierre (Net Worth: $30 Million)

Georges St-Pierre is a former professional Mixed Martial Artist from Canada.

The MMA audience worldwide regards him as one of the finest Mixed Martial Artists ever.

He won championships in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.

He is the three-time welterweight champion of UFC, as he won the welterweight championship twice and the interim title once.

George St. Pierre
George St. Pierre (Source: Instagram)

The Sherdog ranked St-Pierre as the #1 welterweight fighter in the World for several years.

As of 2022, Georges St-Pierre has a net worth of $30 Million, making him the 4th richest MMA fighter in the World.

Top 8 quotes by Georges St-Pierre >>

3. Khabib Nurmagomedov (Net Worth: $40 Million)

The Russian Mixed Martial Art promoter Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov owns and runs the Eagle Fighting Championship.

He is a retired Mixed Martial Artist who fought in the lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Khabib in the octagon
Khabib in the octagon (Source: Pinterest)

He was also the longest-reigning UFC champion. Moreover, he retired without losses and 29 wins, making an undefeated record.

Khabib is pro at sambo, judo, and wrestling.

Further, he is the first Muslim to win a UFC title and the highest-followed Russian on Instagram.

As of 2022, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the 3rd richest MMA fighter in the World, having a net worth of $40 Million.

2. Rorion Gracie (Net Worth: $50 Million)

Rorion Gracie comes from the Gracie family (a prominent martial arts family who created the self-defense martial arts system of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, popularly known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu).

He is also the co-founder of the UFC.

Gracie is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu grandmaster like his father, uncles, cousins, and other family members. In addition, he is also a writer, producer, and lecturer. 

Rorion Gracie
Rorion Gracie (Source: Instagram)

In life, nothing happens to you. It happens for you.” – Rorian Gracie

Rorion, coming from a family of martial artists, is the second wealthiest MMA fighter in the World. He has a net worth of $50 Million.

1. Conor McGregor (Net Worth: $200 Million)

Conor Anthony McGregor is a former UFC featherweight and lightweight double-champion. The Irish Mixed Martial Artist ranks #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Likewise, he happens to be the first fighter in UFC history to have grasped titles in two weight divisions simultaneously.

He is also one of the highest-selling UFC pay-per-view fighters in MMA history.

Conor-McGregor
Conor McGregor (Source: Pinterest)

Moreover, Forbes ranked McGregor as the highest-paid athlete in the World in 2021.

Likewise, he made it to number #4 on the same list in 2018.

As of 2022, Conor McGregor is the wealthiest MMA fighter in the World, having a net worth of $200 Million.

McGregor’s wealth is four times higher than that of Rorion Gracie, who came in second on our ‘Top 20 Richest MMA Fighters in the world’ list.

Conor McGregor Net Worth | Earnings & Charity>>

Summary

We have listed the name of the top 20 richest MMA fighters in the World below. The fighter with the highest net worth comes first on the list.

  1. Conor McGregor
  2. Rorion Gracie
  3. Khabib Nurmagomedov
  4. Georges St-Pierre
  5. Brock Lesnar
  6. BJ Penn
  7. Toto Ortiz
  8. Fedor Emelianenko
  9. Wanderlei Silva
  10. Randy Couture
  11. Ronda Rousey
  12. Chuck Liddel
  13. Frank Mir
  14. Alistair Overeem
  15. Chael Sonnen
  16. Junior Dos Santos
  17. Yoel Romero
  18. Donald Cerrone
  19. Jose Aldo
  20. Michael Bisping

Did the ‘top 20 richest MMA Fighters in the world’ list meet your expectations regarding your favorite MMA fighter’s wealth?

Who is your favorite fighter from the list? Make sure to comment!

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

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