UFC 311 Salaries: Who Were the Highest Paid Fighters?
UFC 311 gave fans a memorable night of fights, and it also delivered notable paydays for the athletes involved. Fighter salaries are usually valued based on their championship status, experience, marketability, and even the risks fighters are willing to take. In this article, we’ll analyze the payout for different fighters and what it means.
Merab Dvalishvili – $500,000

Credit: Instagram
The highest earner of the night, Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili took home approximately $500,000 for his unanimous decision victory over Umar Nurmagomedov. This bout was pretty significant, considering that Dvalishvili broke Georges St-Pierre’s record for the most takedowns in UFC history, achieving 91 takedowns and surpassing St-Pierre’s 90.
Jiri Prochazka – $250,000

Credit: Instagram
Former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka earned $250,000, including a $50,000 win bonus, after an impressive TKO victory over Jamahal Hill. He’s known for his unorthodox fighting style and exciting finishes, and his performance even earned him a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus, establishing him as one of the division’s premier athletes.
Jailton Almeida – $220,000

Credit: Instagram
Jailton Almeida continues his ascent in the heavyweight division, especially after his UFC 311 earnings of an estimated $220,000—including a $110,000 win bonus—for his first-round TKO over Serghei Spivac. His dominant display has set high hopes for his potential as a future title contender.
Islam Makhachev – $200,000

Credit: Instagram
Leaving no room for suspense, Islam Makhachev earned a disclosed purse of $200,000 for his first-round submission victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. This bout marked Makhachev’s fourth successful title defense and set a new record for the most defenses in UFC lightweight history. Additionally, Makhachev has held the top pound-for-pound ranking for 439 consecutive days.
Renato Moicano – $250,000

Credit: Instagram
In a surprising turn, Renato Moicano earned $250,000 for stepping in on short notice to challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. He was originally slated to fight Beneil Dariush but accepted the title bout after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew due to injury. Despite the abrupt change, Moicano showed lots of professionalism, though he succumbed to a first-round D’Arce choke submission.
Kevin Holland – $250,000

Credit: X
In his bout with Reinier de Ridder, Holland suffered a first-round submission loss via a rear-naked choke. His consistent ability to engage fans and willingness to face diverse opponents across weight classes are the main reasons behind his high payout of $250,000.
Grant Dawson – $212,000

Credit: Instagram
Grant Dawson secured $212,000, including a $106,000 win bonus, for his victory over Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 311. Dawson’s wrestling dominated the fight, as he landed five takedowns and controlled Ferreira for over 10 minutes.
Jamahal Hill – $200,000

Credit: Instagram
After facing Jiri Prochazka in a challenging bout, Jamahal Hill walked away with a significant $200,000. Hill landed significant strikes early on. However, he struggled with Prochazka’s unpredictable movement and relentless offense, which led to a third-round TKO.
Umar Nurmagomedov – $100,000

Credit: Instagram
As one of the sport’s brightest prospects, Umar Nurmagomedov faced a tough challenge in the co-main event, but his performance was nonetheless pretty impressive. Although he couldn’t secure the win, his $100,000 payout shows the UFC’s belief in his long-term potential.
Diego Ferreira – $100,000

Credit: Instagram
Diego Ferreira–an experienced lightweight–proved once again why he remains a reliable test for younger fighters and thus worth an investment of $100,000. He displayed excellent defensive jiu-jitsu throughout the bout but couldn’t counter Dawson’s control on the ground.
Karol Rosa – $75,000

Credit: Instagram
In the women’s division, Karol Rosa earned $75,000 following a competitive fight with Ailin Perez that ended in a split-decision loss. Despite the setback, Rosa’s technical skills nonetheless make her a viable contender in the women’s bantamweight division.
Ailin Perez – $72,000

Credit: Instagram
With just a split-decision victory, Ailin Perez secured $72,000, including a win bonus, for her bout with Karol Rosa. Perez used effective grappling and cage control to edge out the decision and secure key moments in a closely contested fight.
Payton Talbott – $43,000

Credit: Youtube
Payton Talbott earned $43,000 in his UFC 311 fight. He suffered a unanimous decision loss but demonstrated solid striking and good defensive instincts against a more experienced opponent. It’s a decent payout for someone early in their career, but Talbott’s ability to adapt and grow will determine if he can break into the upper tiers of earnings.
Ricky Turcios – $28,000

Credit: Youtube
Ricky Turcios was able to secure $28,000 after a spirited performance in a competitive fight. He’s known for his fast pace and unorthodox striking and managed to push his opponent to the limit but fell short on the scorecards. The bout showed a fighter still working to find his footing in the UFC.