Moicano's Salary At UFC 311 Surpassed Makhachev's Earnings Despite Losing In The First Round.

Renato Moicano made heIslam Makhachev, the Brazilian fighter earned a larger disclosed salary than the reigning lightweight champion. This unexpected turn of events has sparked discussion about fighter pay, late-replacement opportunities, and the economics of the UFC.

How Moicano Earned More Than Makhachev

Renato Moicano stepped up as a late replacement to face Islam Makhachev after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew due to a back injury. With just one day’s notice, Moicano took on the challenge, facing the dominant lightweight champion in a high-stakes bout. Although Moicano suffered a swift defeat in the first round, his willingness to save the event earned him a substantial payday.

Renato Moicano was paid more than Islam Makhachev for saving UFC 311 main event

According to the California State Athletic Commission, Moicano pocketed $250,000 for stepping in at the last minute. This amount exceeded Makhachev’s $200,000 base pay, making Moicano the higher-paid fighter on fight night. Makhachev’s earnings do not reflect undisclosed bonuses or pay-per-view revenue shares, but even with these factors, his immediate fight night payout was overshadowed by Moicano’s.

Islam Makhachev’s Dominance in the Octagon

Despite the surprising discrepancy in earnings, Islam Makhachev further solidified his status as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. The lightweight champion delivered a flawless performance, defeating Moicano in the first round via knockout. This victory marked another milestone for Makhachev, who now holds the record for the most lightweight title defenses in UFC history, tying legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and BJ Penn.

The win also reinforced Makhachev’s position atop the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, where he has held the No. 1 spot for 439 days. However, the champion did not earn any additional bonuses, such as “Performance of the Night” or “Fight of the Night,” which could have boosted his earnings.

Breakdown of UFC 311 Fighter Pay

The pay structure for UFC fighters often includes base salaries, win bonuses, and additional incentives such as performance bonuses or pay-per-view shares. For UFC 311, the disclosed fighter payouts revealed some notable disparities:

Renato Moicano: $250,000 for stepping in as a late replacement.
Islam Makhachev: $200,000 base salary with no bonuses awarded.
Merab Dvalishvili: $500,000 for defending his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov: $100,000 base salary plus a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Jiri Prochazka: $300,000 total earnings, including a $200,000 base salary, a $50,000 win bonus, and a $50,000 performance bonus.
Jailton Almeida: $270,000 total, including a $110,000 base salary, a $110,000 win bonus, and a $50,000 performance bonus.

While some fighters benefitted from bonuses, others, like Makhachev, relied solely on their base salaries. Moicano’s impressive payday reflects the UFC’s willingness to reward fighters who step in on short notice to save high-profile matchups.

What Moicano’s Payday Says About Fighter Pay

The fact that Renato Moicano earned more than Islam Makhachev highlights an ongoing debate about fighter pay in the UFC. Critics argue that champions like Makhachev, who consistently deliver dominant performances, deserve higher base salaries to reflect their status and contributions to the organization. On the other hand, Moicano’s payout underscores the UFC’s tendency to incentivize fighters who take risks, such as stepping in on short notice.

Additionally, the lack of bonuses for Makhachev has raised questions about how performance incentives are distributed. While his first-round knockout was decisive, the UFC instead awarded “Fight of the Night” to Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov and “Performance of the Night” to Jiri Prochazka and Jailton Almeida.

Islam Makhachev def. Renato Moicano at UFC 311: Best photos

Conclusion

Renato Moicano’s earnings at UFC 311 may have outpaced Islam Makhachev’s, but the champion’s dominance and legacy remain undeniable. Moicano’s late-replacement payday serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards in the fight game, while Makhachev’s victory further solidifies his place in UFC history.

As debates about fighter pay continue, UFC 311 serves as an example of how the organization balances rewarding star power, performance, and last-minute contributions. While Moicano’s earnings were unexpected, Makhachev’s performance proved once again why he is one of the most respected fighters in the sport.