Shocking Pay Discrepancy Makhachev Earns Less Than Fighters Who Lost at UFC 311
At UFC 311, Islam Makhachev headlined the event with a commanding win against Renato Moicano in a fight where Makhachev delivered a brutal D’Arce choke submission in the first round. However, despite this dominant performance and a successful lightweight championship defense, Makhachev’s earnings were surprisingly low. His total payout was only $250,000, making him the fourth highest-paid fighter of the night.
A Surprising Pay Discrepancy
Despite Makhachev’s pivotal role in the main event, he didn’t come out on top in terms of salary. The highest-paid fighter of the night was Merab Dvalishvili, the bantamweight champion, who earned a whopping $550,000 for his impressive title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili’s victory in a grueling battle not only secured his paycheck but also put him significantly ahead of Makhachev in earnings—more than double, in fact. The pay disparity left fans and analysts questioning UFC’s pay structure for top fighters.
Other Fighters’ Salaries and Performance Bonuses
UFC 311 also saw impressive payouts for other stars, including Jiri Prochazka ($300,000) and Jailton Almeida ($270,000), who each delivered memorable performances. Prochazka secured his victory with a TKO over Jamahal Hill, while Almeida knocked out Serghei Spivac in the first round. Despite Makhachev’s victory, his name was notably absent from the list of Performance of the Night bonus recipients, with Dvalishvili, Nurmagomedov, Prochazka, and Almeida all earning $50,000 in bonuses for their exceptional displays.
Comparing Pay: Makhachev vs. Pereira and Dvalishvili
To put Makhachev’s salary into perspective, it is quite staggering when compared to other champions like Alex Pereira, who earned nearly $3 million for his win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. While Pereira was defending his title for the first time, Makhachev had already successfully defended his belt four times, raising further questions about the UFC’s pay discrepancies. Even more shocking is that Dvalishvili, who only had his first title defense, earned more than twice what Makhachev did. The significant gap in pay between these fighters has left many wondering about the UFC’s prioritization of certain athletes.
UFC 311 Salary Breakdown: Top Earners Revealed
Here’s a closer look at the salary breakdown for UFC 311:
- Merab Dvalishvili – $550,000
- Jiri Prochazka – $300,000
- Jailton Almeida – $270,000
- Islam Makhachev – $250,000
- Renato Moicano – $250,000
- Kevin Holland – $250,000
- Grant Dawson – $212,000
- Jamahal Hill – $200,000
- Umar Nurmagomedov – $150,000
As we can see, Grant Dawson even earned more than Makhachev, with a $212,000 payout, despite Makhachev’s status as a champion. The figures reveal the striking disparity in pay for fighters, regardless of their importance on the card.
Makhachev’s Staggering Earnings History
In a shocking twist, Makhachev had made a seven-figure sum during his previous title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. This time, however, despite his impressive performance and unbeaten streak of 15 fights, Makhachev’s earnings were dramatically lower. Was it the last-minute change in opponent that impacted his pay? It’s unclear, but UFC CEO Dana White still lauded Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter currently and suggested he could be the greatest 155-pound champion in UFC history. It seems high praise from White didn’t translate into the expected payday.
Conclusion: A Closer Look at UFC’s Pay System
UFC 311 highlighted significant discrepancies in fighter pay, leaving fans and experts questioning why champions like Makhachev earn so little compared to other fighters. Makhachev’s low salary despite a dominant performance has sparked discussions on how the UFC compensates its top stars and whether the organization needs to reevaluate its approach to fighter payouts.
