UFC 325 Payouts: Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes 2 fight purse and fighter salaries and payments!
UFC 325 Payouts? UFC 325 fight purse payout? How much will the fighters make at UFC 325? The upcoming UFC 325 is Volkanovski vs Lopes 2.
As the UFC embarks on its landmark $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount, every event now unfolds under a new financial reality.
The move has eliminated the traditional pay-per-view model, sparking major questions about how the promotion’s biggest stars will be compensated.
The upcoming UFC 325 in Sydney, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title defense against Diego Lopes, serves as a prime case study for this new era.
While the exact figures won’t be confirmed until after the event, a look at past earnings, new bonus structures, and ongoing negotiations reveals a significant shift in the fighter pay landscape.
Here are estimated payouts for UFC 325 Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 fight purse and fighters salaries. Watch & Bet on Sports =>
UFC 325 payouts – Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 UFC 325 fight purse payout!
How much will fighters make at UFC 325? The main event fighters will command the lion’s share of the compensation, with the disclosed purse consisting of their show money, potential win bonuses, and a portion of the pay-per-view revenue.
The UFC operates on a closed-door policy regarding exact figures, but we can project earnings based on previous similar events, fighter contracts, and historical data mining.
How Much Will Fighters Make at UFC 325?
The short answer is: more than ever before, thanks to a landmark change in the bonus structure. With its lucrative new Paramount deal, which reportedly pays $1.1 billion annually, the UFC has significantly increased its post-fight bonus pool.
Starting with UFC 324, the week before UFC 325, the promotion doubled its standard “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000.
This means a minimum of $400,000 in bonuses is now available at each event—$200,000 split between the two fighters in the “Fight of the Night” and $100,000 each for two individual “Performance of the Night” winners.
Furthermore, the UFC introduced a brand-new $25,000 “Finish Bonus” for any fighter who wins by knockout or submission but does not receive one of the other awards. This creates additional avenues for fighters to substantially increase their guaranteed show and win purses.
For the athletes on the UFC 325 card, this means a spectacular finish or an all-out war could result in a six-figure bonus, dramatically altering their total take-home pay for the night.
UFC CEO Dana White has stated he expects overall fighter pay to increase under the new broadcast deal, but the promotion does not publicly disclose contracted purse amounts.
Table: New UFC Bonus Structure vs. Old Structure
| Bonus Type | Old Amount (Pre-2026) | New Amount (UFC 325 Era) |
|---|---|---|
| Fight of the Night (split) | $50,000 each | $100,000 each |
| Performance of the Night | $50,000 each | $100,000 each |
| New Finish Bonus | N/A | $25,000 |
| Total Minimum Bonus Pool Per Event | $200,000 | $400,000+ |
How much will Alexander Volkanovski make at UFC 325?
Predicting Alexander Volkanovski’s exact payout is complex, as it sits at the center of the sport’s biggest pay question.
With the end of the pay-per-view model, champions like Volkanovski no longer have access to the lucrative “PPV points” that formed the backbone of their biggest paydays.
In a recent interview, Volkanovski admitted that talks are ongoing, saying, “Not exactly sure just yet, to be honest… I think we are in talks with them, so we’ll just see what we’ll see”.
He expressed confidence that a satisfactory resolution would be reached, but his focus remains on the fight itself.
To estimate his potential earnings, we can look at his recent history and reported net worth. His net worth is most often reported to be between $3.5 million and $4 million, built from fight purses, win bonuses, and endorsements with brands like PRIME Hydration.
His last title fight, a win over Volkanovski at UFC 314, reportedly earned the Brazilian challenger around $682,000.
It is reasonable to project that the reigning champion Volkanovski’s guaranteed purse for a home-soil title defense would be in a similar or higher range before any new Paramount-era adjustments or win bonuses.
If he secures a new contract as part of the ongoing talks, that figure could be substantially higher. A victory, especially a decisive one that earns a new $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus, could push his total compensation for the night well into seven figures.
How much will Diego Lopes make at UFC 325?
Diego Lopes’s journey to a championship rematch is a story of rapidly escalating earnings. The Brazilian contender has seen his payouts climb steadily with each high-profile victory.
His financial progression in the UFC is a clear indicator of his rising stock:
UFC Debut (2023): Earned $66,000 ($12,000 to show, $4,000 in sponsorships, and a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus).
Breakout Win at UFC 306 (2024): Took home $155,000 for a decision win over Brian Ortega.
First Title Shot at UFC 314 (2025): Despite losing to Volkanovski, his purse soared to approximately $682,000.
Coming into his second title shot, Lopes is positioned for another major payday. While a challenger’s purse is typically less than the champion’s, his established drawing power and exciting style work in his favor.
A reasonable projection would place his guaranteed show money for UFC 325 in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars.
For Lopes, the new bonus structure is particularly enticing. Known for his finishing ability—with 23 of his 27 wins coming by knockout or submission—he is a prime candidate for the new $25,000 Finish Bonus or a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.
A stunning upset victory to claim the title would guarantee a life-changing sum, likely exceeding one million dollars when win bonuses and potential champion’s clauses are factored in.
What is the bonus for UFC 325 fighters?
Here’s a breakdown of the typical bonus structure at UFC pay-per-view events:
This new system, which debuted at UFC 324 the week before UFC 325, represents a major change:
Doubled Bonuses: The standard payouts for “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” have been doubled from $50,000 to $100,000.
Guaranteed Finish Money: The new $25,000 Finish Bonus ensures that every fighter who ends their fight early gets extra pay, even if their performance isn’t one of the two best of the night.
UFC CEO Dana White stated this change is due to the promotion’s new $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount.
Total Bonus Pool: The minimum bonus pool for each event is now at least $400,000 (from the two $100k FOTN and two $100k POTN awards), plus any additional $25k finish bonuses.
Here is the breakdown of the bonus structure that will be in effect for UFC 325 fighters.
| Bonus Type | Payout Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fight of the Night | $100,000 (each fighter) | Awarded to the two fighters in the most exciting bout of the event. |
| Performance of the Night | $100,000 (each fighter) | Awarded for the two best individual performances (e.g., knockouts, submissions). |
| Finish Bonus | $25,000 (each fighter) | New for 2026. Awarded to any fighter who wins by knockout or submission but does not win a “Fight of the Night” or “Performance of the Night” bonus. |
UFC 325 Payouts: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 fight purse
UFC 325 marks one of the first major pay-per-view events in the promotion’s new era under its $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount.
This monumental shift has eliminated the traditional pay-per-view model, creating significant uncertainty around how top stars, especially champions, will be compensated for their biggest fights.
While post-fight bonuses have been substantially increased, the back-end “PPV points” that historically drove champions’ earnings into the millions are being renegotiated in real-time.
The table below provides estimated projections for the UFC 325 main event fighters, based on their previous earnings and the known changes to the bonus structure.
It is crucial to note that these figures are speculative, as the UFC does not officially disclose purses, and contracts are being actively discussed.
| Fighter | Guaranteed Purse* | Winning Bonus* | Promotional / PPV-Share Bonus* | POTN / FOTN Bonus* | Overall Estimated Earning* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | $750,000 – $1,000,000+ | $0 (Likely Flat Fee) | Under Negotiation | Up to $100,000 | $1,000,000 – $3,000,000+ (Highly Variable) |
| Diego Lopes | $500,000 | $500,000 (Possible) | Unlikely | Up to $100,000 | $500,000 – $1,100,000+ |
*Important Note on Estimates: These are projections. Guaranteed purses are based on Volkanovski’s history of seven-figure fights and Lopes’s career-high pay at UFC 314.
The “Promotional/PPV-Share Bonus” column is the most uncertain, as the old PPV model is gone.
Champions like Volkanovski are in active talks to replace this lost income, which could dramatically alter his final total.
UFC 325 fighter salaries and payouts projections
The Core Pay Model: UFC fighters are independent contractors paid per fight. The most common contract structure is “show money” to fight, plus a matching “win bonus”.
A ranked contender on a $100k/$100k deal earns $100,000 for a loss and $200,000 for a win before other bonuses.
The 2026 Bonus Revolution: Starting at UFC 324, the week before UFC 325, the UFC doubled its standard post-fight bonuses and added a new, guaranteed incentive.
Performance of the Night & Fight of the Night: Increased from $50,000 to $100,000 each.
New Finish Bonus: $25,000 awarded to any fighter who wins by KO or submission but does not win a POTN or FOTN bonus.
Impact: This means a minimum of $400,000 in bonus money is available each event, and every finish is now financially rewarded.
The Paramount Deal Unknown: The UFC’s new $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount, which began in 2026, has moved events away from the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model.
This has created major uncertainty for top stars like Volkanovski, who historically earned a share of PPV revenue (“PPV points”).
As Justin Gaethje stated regarding the first Paramount event, contracted pay had not yet increased for fighters. The biggest financial question for UFC 325 is what new, equivalent incentive Volkanovski and other champions have negotiated to replace PPV points.
UFC 325 Payouts per fight
(These figures represent guaranteed purses before additional bonuses, sponsorships, and other upside.)
| Fighter | Projected Guaranteed Purse (Show Money) | Potential Win Bonus | Notes / Key Earning Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski (C) | $750,000 – $1,000,000+ | Possibly Flat Fee | Negotiating new Paramount-era incentives. Major upside depends on new deal. |
| Diego Lopes (#2) | $350,000 – $500,000 | $350,000 – $500,000 | Likely has a win bonus. Upside from aggressive, finish-friendly style. |
| Daniel Hooker | $200,000 – $300,000 | $200,000 – $300,000 | Established veteran. His exciting style makes him a prime FOTN candidate. |
| Benoît Saint Denis | $100,000 – $150,000 | $100,000 – $150,000 | Rising contender. A finish could be worth up to $125k ($25k finish + $100k POTN). |
| Tai Tuivasa | $150,000 – $200,000 | $150,000 – $200,000 | Popular heavyweight. Every fight presents a major KO and bonus opportunity. |
| Early Prelim Fighter | $12,000 – $20,000 | $12,000 – $20,000 | Entry-level purse. A finish ($25k) more than doubles a losing purse. |
UFC 325 prize money – Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 purse and salaries!
The prize money for the UFC 325 main event is clouded by uncertainty. In their first fight at UFC 314, champion Alexander Volkanovski earned an estimated $1.4 million, while Diego Lopes took home approximately $682,000. For the rematch, these figures will likely change dramatically.
The UFC’s new broadcast deal with Paramount has eliminated the traditional pay-per-view model. Volkanovski himself admitted that talks are ongoing about how to replace the lucrative “PPV points” that made up a large part of his previous earnings.
Both fighters stand to gain significantly from the UFC’s new, larger post-fight bonuses, which can add up to $100,000 for a spectacular performance. Watch & Bet on Sports =>
How much do UFC fighters get paid?
UFC fighter pay is not a single flat fee but a structure composed of several parts:
Guaranteed Purse (“Show Money”): The base salary a fighter receives for agreeing to compete.
Win Bonus: Often an additional payment equal to the show money, awarded only if the fighter wins.
Performance Bonuses: Discretionary bonuses awarded for exceptional performances, such as “Performance of the Night” or “Fight of the Night.” The standard amount is $100,000, though it can be higher for major events.
Pay-Per-View (PPV) Points: A share of the PPV revenue, a privilege typically reserved for main event stars and champions.
Sponsorship: The UFC has a partnership with Venum for official fight kits, but fighters can also have individual sponsors, which is a major income source for top-tier fighters.
UFC 325 Full Fight Card:
Beyond the payouts, UFC 325 features compelling matchups:
| Card | Start Time (ET) | Weight Class | Bout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Card | 9:00 PM (Paramount+) | Featherweight | Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes |
| Lightweight | Dan Hooker vs. Benoît Saint Denis | ||
| Lightweight | Rafael Fiziev vs. Maurício Ruffy | ||
| Heavyweight | Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira | ||
| Lightweight | Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey | ||
| Prelims | 7:00 PM (Paramount+) | Light Heavyweight | Junior Tafa vs. Billy Elekana |
| Middleweight | Cam Rowston vs. Cody Brundage | ||
| Middleweight | Jacob Malkoun vs. Torrez Finney | ||
| Welterweight | Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott | ||
| Early Prelims | 5:00 PM (Paramount+) | Featherweight | Kaan Ofli vs. Yizha |
| Lightweight | Sangwook Kim vs. Dom Mar Fan | ||
| Featherweight | Keiichiro Nakamura vs. Sebastian Szalay | ||
| Bantamweight | Sulangrangbo vs. Lawrence Lui | ||
| Flyweight | Aaron Tau vs. Namsrai Batbayar |
See also:
Stay tuned for the official results and any confirmed UFC payout updates post-fight! Also check out Sports Competitions with biggest prize money from the Premier League, US Open, Formula 1, Wimbledon and the FIFA World Cup. Watch & Bet on Sports =>
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