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In recent years, the UFC has become a target in the world of combat sports. Both fans and fighters have brought Dana White's promotion to task over its controversial pay structure. Despite the merits of the complaints fielded by those who have called out the UFC, the promotion still offers a golden opportunity.
Nowhere else in the world can fighters find a promotion with as much earning potential if they play their cards right. A fighter as wealthy as Conor McGregor can only exist as a product of the promotion. He is not, however, the only mixed martial artist with deep pockets.
The promotion's female roster is also home to handsomely paid fighters. Ronda Rousey was once one of the biggest stars in MMA history. Naturally, she was also one of the best-paid. But who else stood alongside her as some of the highest-earning female UFC fighters of all time?
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#5. Joanna Jędrzejczyk, former UFC women's strawweight champion
Before the emergence of Joanna Jędrzejczyk, the women’s strawweight division was not capable of significant interest in its bouts. During her initial run in the promotion, 'The Boogeywoman' was an undefeated specialist with impregnable confidence. This led to comparisons with Ronda Rousey.
'Rowdy' was another undefeated specialist with a deep pool of confidence. Similarly, the two women were also long-reigning champions. During Jędrzejczyk's reign at the top of the strawweight division, she became a PPV star due to her exciting fighting style and thrilling bouts.
Even after she lost her title, she remained guaranteed entertainment. Her alleged career earnings (according to The Sports Daily) are over $2.29 million, which earned her an estimated net worth of $4 million.
#4. Holly Holm, former UFC women's bantamweight champion
Holly Holm rose to MMA prominence after dethroning Ronda Rousey as the women's bantamweight champion. Her victory over 'Rowdy' was one of the greatest upsets in MMA history and it catapulted 'The Preacher's Daughter' into the realm of superstardom.
Unfortunately, she lost the title in her subsequent bout against Miesha Tate. Regardless, she remains a staple of the 135 lbs division and has received four different title shots. While she's currently on a career downswing, she is one of the highest-paid women's fighters of all time.
According to both The Sports Daily and Sportskeeda, 'The Preacher's Daughter' has earned a career total of roughly $2.3 million.
#3. Valentina Shevchenko, reigning UFC women's flyweight champion
It took some time for Valentina Shevchenko to earn the level of recognition that she now enjoys. Besides Julianna Peña's shocking upset win against Amanda Nunes, 'Bullet' is responsible for most recently pushing 'The Lioness' to her limit. Once the UFC introduced a women's flyweight division, 'Bullet' was at home.
Despite the thin and shallow nature of the division, Shevchenko remains a key PPV attraction due to her high skill level. No one will ever forget her jaw-dropping knockout win against Jessica Eye. Additionally, the 125 lbs queen recently broke the record for the most promotional title defenses in women's MMA.
Essentially Sports reports that 'Bullet' has earned a career total of $2.7 million from her bouts, which should come as no surprise given her record of seven successful title defenses.
#2. Ronda Rousey, former UFC women's bantamweight champion
It may come as a shock to some fans that Ronda Rousey isn't the highest-paid female fighter in MMA history. Instead, 'Rowdy' is the second best-paid women's mixed martial artist in the promotion's history. The former 135 lbs champion was once one of the biggest stars in MMA history.
Alongside Conor McGregor, she was one-half of the face of the UFC. The magnitude of her superstardom was such that 'Rowdy' even secured a cameo in a high-profile action movie like Furious 7. This level of global recognition is what led to the promotion paying her according to her perceived worth.
Various sources (including Sport Bible and Essentially Sports) estimate her total career earnings to be between $4 million and $4.3 million.
#1. Amanda Nunes, reigning UFC women's bantamweight/featherweight champion
Amanda Nunes is the greatest fighter in the history of women's MMA. She has defeated nearly every female UFC champion that has ever existed. The ones she hasn't beaten are simply due to the fact that they exist in much lower divisions like the 115 lbs weight class. Regardless, legendary names make up her list of victims.
Both Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg were no match for the terrifying punching power at her disposal. Her success as a fighter has led her to capture two different titles en route to becoming a double champion in the promotion. Due to being a two-division titleholder, 'The Lioness' is paid in a way that befits her status.
Estimates of the Brazilian's total career earnings list them at $8.36 million (via MMASalaries). It's a high-enough amount that there is no other woman in MMA history who has made more money than she has.
