We only just made it through the first half of 2016, and many of the most famous UFC fighters in the industry are killing it with their paychecks. While it’s known to be one of the sports that doesn’t pay as much as others, it’s also still widely known that the men and women fighting these fights do take home a pretty impressive paycheck. The year is only half over, and these stars are the highest paid stars of the UFC ring at the moment.
Will it change as the year goes on, or will we see that these men and women remain on top? So far, earnings are pretty solid (and they’re only earnings from 2016 until this point – not lifetime earnings). Each time there is a fight, one or more of these athletes moves up or down on the list, so just bear with us at the moment as these are the highest paid UFC fighters right now for 2016. Do you think these men and women can hold onto their spots for the remainder of the year, or will this list look completely different when year-end results are announced?
Conor McGregor – $1 million+
Even though his career earnings are well over $22 million to this point, he’s still the highest paid fighter of the year with fight earnings of more than $1.09 million. He also makes more money on endorsements and bonus payments, but we are only talking about the payments he’d earned so far this year for fighting. He’s had a stellar year thus far, landing him on top of the list. He’s also the 85th highest paid athlete of the year in 2016 according to Forbes.
Anderson Silva – $665,000
His year-to-date earnings might be more if he hadn’t pulled out of a few events already this year, but it’s widely known that he’s been suffering some healthy problems as of late. In 2013 he had a broken leg which kept his earnings low as he was out of the ring for some time. However, he is making his way back and doing a good job if it so far.
Nate Diaz – $620,000
So far in 2016, he’s made more than a half million dollars; and we project he will move up this list as the year goes on. He’s been in the business since 2007, but he hasn’t seen much fame or fortune until a lot more recently. He subbed in a fight against Conor McGregor earlier this year and shocked the world when he actually won the fight and earned some serious earnings. Now he’s more popular than ever and will continue to earn money as the year wears on.
Alistair Overeem – $598,000
In 2016, he’s taken home well over a half million dollars. Overeem signed a new contract with the league this year and has seen some success since then, but he has had a questionable history in the game. In 2012, he failed a number of drug tests that caused him to lose out on some earnings, but he’s back and better than ever this year.
Robbie Lawler – $590,000
Just behind Overeem, he’s doing well this year. He will go again this year in July against Tyron Woodley where he is expected to take home a significant purse if he wins. As far as we know, he might not be the fifth on this list for much longer – he might either drop off the list and make room for someone else, or he might make his way up the list over a few of the other highest-earners so far this year.
