3 weeks Ago By Joshua Waite
UFC 314 brought fireworks to the Kaseya Center in Miami, with championship glory, breakout stars, and knockout drama lighting up the Octagon. But beyond the highlight reels and bonuses, a familiar question loomed large: how fairly are UFC fighters being paid? In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski reasserted his dominance in the featherweight division, defeating Diego Lopes in a high-level five-round battle. His technical display earned him a unanimous decision victory, with two judges scoring the bout 49-46 and one at 48-47.
Volkanovski’s victory wasn’t just about reclaiming gold. At 36 years old, he broke from the sport’s long-standing trend of ageing champions struggling to keep their titles. Historically, fighters past 35 who win or regain belts have found themselves quickly dethroned, the so-called "curse" of the veteran champion.
Volkanovski defied that narrative. Whether he can hold onto the belt remains to be seen, but for now, he has proven that age doesn't have to be a barrier in the pursuit of UFC greatness. Financially, he stood in a league of his own.
With base earnings and pay-per-view shares, Volkanovski's total take-home will exceed $1,500,000 , nearly $1,000,000 more than Lopes’ $682,000 purse. The pay gap underscores both his stature in the sport and the wider financial gulf that continues to define the UFC landscape. That divide is only becoming more visible, especially in light of the UFC’s recent $260 million antitrust lawsuit settlement , a major moment that reignited conversations around how the promotion structures fighter compensation.
Elsewhere on the card, Paddy Pimblett delivered the biggest win of his career, stopping Michael Chandler via third-round TKO. The result rocketed him up the lightweight rankings and further established him as one of the UFC’s most marketable stars since his 2021 arrival. His payout matched the occasion.
Pimblett earned a $506,000 purse, plus a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, the largest payday of his UFC tenure and a clear sign the promotion is investing in him as a headline act. Jean Silva also grabbed the spotlight with a slick second-round submission over Bryce Mitchell, earning himself a $50,000 bonus to go with a $156,000 purse. Silva's performance turned heads and showed that the UFC is still willing to reward standout newcomers, even if they're not yet household names.
Lower Fighters Made Minor Money at UFC 314 But while fighters like Volkanovski and Pimblett cashed in, UFC 314 also laid bare the sport’s enduring economic imbalance. Six fighters on the card didn’t even take home $50,000, a stark contrast when others earned six and seven figures on the same night. For many, the risks remain high and the rewards elusive.
UFC 314 salaries (selected) Fighter Estimated total payout Alexander Volkanovski $1,482,000 Diego Lopes $682,000 Paddy Pimblett $556,000 Michael Chandler $506,000 Yair Rodriguez $316,000 Jean Silva $206,000 Patricio Pitbull $204,000 Dominick Reyes $161,000 Bryce Mitchell $161,000 Jim Miller $141,000 Dan Ige $136,000 Sean Woodson $78,000 Marco Tulio $24,500 Even with performance bonuses and occasional pay-per-view shares, the bulk of the UFC roster continues to navigate a pay structure that heavily favours stars at the top. The promotion’s business model thrives on that imbalance, leaning on a few headline names while leaving the rest to grind out their earnings fight by fight. UFC 314 thrilled fans with elite-level action and career-defining moments, but as the dust settled, so did the reality.
The UFC continues to showcase world-class athletes, yet the gap between financial security and financial struggle inside the same cage has rarely felt wider. Paddy had to be held back as tempers flared..
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