How much do UFC refs make? How much do UFC referees get paid and make per fight?
How much do UFC referees get paid? How much does a UFC referee make? How much do UFC refs make per fight? Who are the highest paid UFC refs? Here is everything you need to know about UFC refs salary and how much they are paid per fight. Watch & Bet on Sports =>
How much do UFC referees make? UFC refs salary and how much refs get paid per fight!
A referee is a crucial component of an MMA or UFC fight. The UFC and other promotions do not employ referees directly. For these promotions, the referees are instead chosen by the Athletic Commission (NSAC). Although promotions typically have no control over the referees they choose, only a select few well-known referees are allowed to officiate in the UFC.
How much does a UFC referee make?
The current roster of UFC referees, along with their match and annual contract pay, can be found below. A referee has many duties during a game, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s definition. He decides whether to start or end the fight, informs both competitors of the regulations, selects when to call a stoppage, and calls both purposeful and unintentional fouls.
| Referee Level | Per Match Fees | Pay-per-view Fees | Yearly Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Referee | €930 to €2,325 | €4,650 to €13,950 | €232,500 to €511,500 |
| Entry Level Referees | €325 to €605 | N/A | €13,950 to €27,900 |
| Female Referees | €930 | €3,255 | €55,800 |
UFC Referees Salary 2024
Referees’ experience and degree of expertise determine both their match fees and PPV fees. While professional referees typically receive between $1000 and $2500 each fight, they can receive bonuses in PPV bouts ranging from $5,000 to $1,000,000. The UFC 279 PPV main event match between Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson, for instance, earned Marc Goddard $2500. Additionally, he would have received a PPV bonus of almost $10,000.
Referees at the entry level are rarely called up to the UFC. They receive between $350 and $650 every match in other promotions, though. In PPV events, the top female referees receive $3500, whereas in non-PPV events, they receive $1000 each bout. The wage scale for entry-level female referees is the same as that for male officials.
The number of fights a referee officiates determines their annual compensation in mixed martial arts. Herb Dean, for instance, oversaw over 130 fights in 2021, whereas Jason Herzog participated in only about 100. As a result, even if Jason Herzog and Herb Dean were paid the same amount, Herb Dean’s annual compensation would be significantly higher.
Referee’s Earning List 2024
As previously said, the Athletic Commission selects the UFC referees. Nonetheless, a few officials have been often used in UFC matches in recent years. The list of approximate salaries for current UFC referees is provided below. The actual numbers may differ from these estimates.
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| Name | UFC Join Date | Annual Contract | Per Match Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Dean | 2004/04/02 | $500,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $15,000 |
| Jason Herzog | 2009/10/24 | $380,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Mark Smith | Jan 2015 | $380,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Chris Tognoni | 2010/12/04 | $380,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Marc Goddard | N/A | $300,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Dan Miragliotta | 2007/11/17 | $300,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Jerin Valel | 2007/04/22 | – | – |
| Eric McMahon | 2024/02/03 | – | – |
| Keith Peterson | N/A | $380,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Kevin MacDonald | 2024/01/20 | – | – |
| Kerry Hatley | 2022/10 | – | – |
| Jacob Montalvo | 2022/11 | – | – |
| Mike Beltran | N/A | – | – |
| Vitor Ribeiro | 2014/07 | $15,000 | $1,500 + PPV Bonus: $5,000 |
| Garry Copeland | 2011/03 | $300,000 | $2,500 + PPV Bonus: $10,000 |
| Wayne Spinola | 2020/01 | – | $650 |
| Larry Carter | 2020/01 | – | $650 |
| Fernando Salas | 2024/02/24 | – | – |
| Bladimir Puga | 2024/02/24 | – | – |
FAQ on UFC refs salary
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on UFC refs salary.
How much do UFC referees earn per match?
The compensation for UFC referees varies according to their level of experience: professional referees make $2,500 per match, entry-level referees make $350 to $650 per match, and female referees make about $1,000 per match.
Do UFC referees earn bonuses for pay-per-view (PPV) events?
Yes, referees earn significant bonuses for PPV events Top-tier referees: $10,000–$15,000 per PPV event.
Who are some of the highest-paid UFC referees?
Some of the highest-paid referees are Herb Dean reportedly earns around $500,000 annually. While Jason Herzog and Mark Smith earn approximately $380,000 annually.
Are UFC referees contracted or freelance?
UFC referees work as freelancers, meaning they are paid per match and event rather than being salaried employees of the UFC.
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