Islam Makhachev Vs. Ilia Topuria Earnings: How Their UFC Paydays Compare

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Earnings Comparison© Instagram

At UFC 311 in January 2025, the California State Athletic Commission disclosed Islam Makhachev's base purse for his lightweight title defense: $200,000. Renato Moicano, who took the fight on short notice, was listed at $250,000. The champion earned less than his stand-in. Base purses never capture the full picture since PPV revenue shares and performance bonuses add significant money on top, but that disclosure became a minor flashpoint, circulating widely among fans who felt the UFC's pound-for-pound king was being underpaid in the only number the public ever actually sees.

Factor in the rest and Makhachev's per-fight earnings from championship appearances are estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million once PPV cuts and bonuses are included. His career UFC earnings are estimated above $8 million in total. Celebrity Net Worth puts his net worth at around $6 million, a figure that accounts for taxes, management, and the years he spent climbing the lightweight ranks at much lower pay.

Topuria's Side of the Ledger

Ilia Topuria earned $2.4 million from his October 2024 title fight with Max Holloway, a number that includes his fight purse, PPV share, and bonuses. Net worth estimates for Topuria vary: Celebrity Net Worth has him at $2 million, while other outlets cite closer to $5 million, the gap reflecting how difficult PPV revenue is to track publicly. What is not in dispute is that his per-fight value has risen sharply since he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title, and it has kept climbing.

The Number That Broke the Talks

When Makhachev and Topuria were negotiating a superfight for the UFC's White House event earlier this year, Makhachev said publicly that Topuria wanted an “unrealistic purse” the UFC declined to meet. Topuria acknowledged money came up but kept the specifics vague. The fight fell apart. Makhachev went to welterweight, defended against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August, and is now dealing with a separate situation over his January availability. Topuria is on his own track. Neither fighter has ruled out the superfight eventually happening, but the first attempt at making it broke down on a number neither side would put in public.