UFC 328 Payouts: Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland fight purse and fighter salaries and payments!
UFC 328 Payouts? UFC 328 fight purse payout? How much will the fighters make at UFC 328? The upcoming UFC 328 is Chimaev vs Strickland.
When Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland step into the Octagon at the Prudential Center on May 9, the stakes go far beyond the middleweight championship belt.
Behind every punch, takedown, and submission attempt lies a complex financial web that reveals exactly how the UFC values its stars.
For the main event of UFC 328, the purse projections are nothing short of staggering—and deeply revealing about the sport’s economic reality.
Here are estimated payouts for UFC 328 Chimaev vs Strickland fight purse and fighters salaries. Watch & Bet on Sports =>
UFC 328 payouts – Chimaev vs Strickland UFC 328 fight purse payout!
Forget the trash talk and the staredowns the real conversation surrounding UFC 328 often centers on one thing: the money.
When Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev and Sean “Tarzan” Strickland collide on May 9 in Newark, they won’t just be fighting for championship gold; they’ll be competing for what are expected to be the most lucrative purses of the evening.
BIG FIGHTS ARE COMING 👀#UFC328 is going to be WILD
[ LIVE MAY 9 on @ParamountPlus | @Visit_NJ | @PruCenter ] pic.twitter.com/TsX8j6Sehj
— UFC (@ufc) March 13, 2026
While the promotion itself rarely reveals exact figures, financial analysts and historical data paint a very clear picture of what these athletes are projected to earn from their night inside the Octagon.
How Much Will Fighters Make at UFC 328?
While the main event steals the headlines, the remaining 22 fighters on the UFC 328 card occupy vastly different financial zip codes.
Understanding their pay requires walking through the promotion’s tiered contract structure a system that rewards longevity, finishes, and fan appeal in equal measure.
Main card co-headliners and featured bouts: The co-main event expected to feature a heavyweight contenders’ clash between Jailton Almeida and Marcin Tybura will see both men earn disclosed purses in the $250,000 to $400,000 range.
Almeida, a rising Brazilian star, recently signed a new four-fight deal that bumped his show money to $200,000 with a $200,000 win bonus.
Tybura, a 40-fight veteran, operates on a flat $300,000 per bout, no win bonus required. Both are expected to receive a modest slice of PPV revenue typically $0.25 to $0.50 per buy adding another $75,000 to $150,000.
Further down the main card, ranked welterweights and light heavyweights fall into the $80,000 to $150,000 bracket.
For example, a fighter like Kelvin Gastelum (if booked) or a surging prospect like Ikram Aliskerov might show for $70,000 and double that with a victory. These athletes rarely receive PPV points unless their name carries unusual drawing power.
The preliminaries: where survival meets opportunity- The ESPN/ESPN+ preliminary card tells the most honest story about UFC economics.
Entry-level fighters on a standard “12k/12k” contract—$12,000 to show, $12,000 to win will take home as little as $12,000 if they lose.
A winner on the same deal pockets $24,000 before taxes, management fees, and training camp costs (which can run $5,000–$10,000 for a full camp). That’s shockingly low for a sport where a single hard sparring session can end a career.
However, UFC 328 features several second- and third-fight veterans who have already renegotiated better terms.
Expect to see mid-tier prelim fighters earning in the $30,000/$30,000 to $50,000/$50,000 range.
These are the athletes most dependent on the $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus a sum that, for them, represents more than their entire yearly fight income.
How much will Khamzat Chimaev make at UFC 328?
While official UFC 328 payouts won’t be public until the New Jersey commission releases them post-event, we can provide a clear, industry-standard breakdown of what Khamzat Chimaev is projected to earn based on his champion status, his last disclosed payday, and the UFC’s new 2026 compensation structure.
Here’s a fighter-by-fighter estimated payout breakdown for UFC 328 — Khamzat Chimaev
Guaranteed Purse: $1,200,000 – This is the “show” money for a champion in a high-profile main event, following industry estimation standards. Khamzat Chimaev earned $750,000 as a challenger at UFC 319, and his guaranteed pay is set to increase significantly for his first title defense.
Winning Bonus: $800,000 – Champions typically have a win bonus that either equals or is a substantial portion of their show money. An $800,000 bonus would bring Chimaev to an even $2,000,000 in base fight pay with a victory.
Promotional Bonus (PPV Share): ~$800,000 – Since UFC 328 is a Paramount+ exclusive, champions’ backend pay is likely tied to subscription benchmarks rather than traditional PPV points. This is a conservative estimate, but could be higher if the event drives significant new subscribers.
Potential Knockout / Performance Bonus: $100,000 – The UFC has doubled its post-fight bonuses for the Paramount+ era, with Performance of the Night now paying a flat $100,000. Chimaev has won five previous performance bonuses in his career.
Total estimated earnings (w5ith a win + PPV/subscription backend): ~$2,900,000.
How much will Sean Strickland make at UFC 328?
Here’s a fighter-by-fighter estimated payout breakdown for UFC 328 — Sean Strickland
Guaranteed Purse: $1,000,000 — Sean Strickland is considered an upper-tier earner in the UFC middleweight division. As a former champion headlining a mega-event, all signs point to a significant pay bump, with a show money figure likely landing in the $1 million range this time.
Winning Bonus: $500,000 — While champions’ contracts vary, Strickland’s camp has historically negotiated a win bonus that complements his base salary. A $500,000 win bonus is projected here, which would bring his raw fight payout to an even $1.5 million if he reclaims UFC gold at UFC 328.
Promotional Bonus / PPV Share: $850,000 — UFC 328 is a massive streaming event on Paramount+, and as the co-headliner (alongside the champion), Strickland is guaranteed a slice of the backend.
At UFC 312, he reportedly earned $850,000 from PPV/share revenue. For this fight, the projected backend is $1.2 million, but the challenger typically gets a smaller cut than the defending champion.
Knockout / Performance Bonus: $100,000 — The UFC continues its $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus structure in this new Paramount+ era. Strickland knocked out Anthony Hernandez just months ago and is highly motivated to become the first person to stop Khamzat Chimaev. If “Tarzan” lands a highlight-reel finish, he’ll likely secure a $100,000 check.
Total potential earnings (with a win + PPV/share backend + POTN bonus): ~$2,450,000 — That’s the magic number Strickland could touch if the stars align perfectly on fight night.
What is the bonus for UFC 328 fighters?
Here’s a breakdown of the typical bonus structure at UFC pay-per-view events:
The UFC has implemented a new bonus payout structure starting in 2026 as part of its media rights deal with Paramount. The total bonus pool has increased from the traditional $200,000 to at least $400,000 per event.
Fight of the Night: $100,000 (each)–Awarded to both fighters who participate in the most exciting fight of the night, as determined by UFC executives.
Performance of the Night: $100,000 (each)- Awarded to up to two fighters who deliver the best and most exciting individual performances (replaces the old Knockout of the Night and Submission of the Night categories).
Knockout of the Night: Historically merged into Performance of the Night under UFC rules (so finishers get the same standard bonus).
UFC 328 Payouts: Chimaev vs Strickland fight purse
Here is a speculative estimated payout breakdown for the main event fighters at UFC 328.
| Fighter | Guaranteed Purse* | Winning Bonus* | Promotional / PPV‑Share Bonus* | POTN / FOTN Bonus* | Overall Estimated Earnings* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | $1,000,000 | $500,000 | 1,000,000–1,500,000 | $100,000 | 2,600,000–3,100,000 |
| Sean Strickland | $500,000 | $500,000 | 850,000–1,000,000 | $100,000 | 1,950,000–2,100,000 |
All figures are estimates based on comparable UFC pay‑per‑view title fights. Official purses will be released by the appropriate state athletic commission after the event.
UFC 328 fighter salaries and payouts projections
The main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland is projected to generate the largest payouts on the UFC 328 card.
The newly implemented 2026 bonus structure also guarantees a minimum $400,000 bonus pool.
UFC 328 Payouts per fight
Beyond the main event, here’s a fighter-by-fighter look at the projected payouts for the rest of the main card, based on their rankings, contract history, and the UFC’s tiered pay structure.
Please note these figures are speculative estimates based on typical UFC pay scales, as official purses are not disclosed before events.
| Fighter (Main Card) | Estimated Base Payout | Win Bonus | Total (with win) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | $1,200,000 | $800,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Sean Strickland | $600,000 | $600,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Joshua Van | $200,000 | $200,000 | $400,000 |
| Tatsuro Taira | $100,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Alexander Volkov | $350,000 | $350,000 | $700,000 |
| Waldo Cortes-Acosta | $80,000 | $80,000 | $160,000 |
| Sean Brady | $90,000 | $90,000 | $180,000 |
| Joaquin Buckley | $70,000 | $70,000 | $140,000 |
| King Green | $150,000 | $150,000 | $300,000 |
| Jeremy Stephens | $100,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
UFC 328 prize money – Chimaev vs Strickland purse and salaries!
Fighters on the undercard who are relatively new or lower profile will likely stay in the five- or low six-figure range for show + win.
Real total take-home pay often exceeds the “official” numbers once you factor in bonuses, sponsorships, PPV cuts, and other earnings — that’s why “disclosed purses” often understate what fighters actually make. Watch & Bet on Sports =>
What Are the New UFC Payouts?
Here is a breakdown of the new bonus system:
| Bonus Type | Previous Amount | New Amount | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fight of the Night | $50,000 (each) | $100,000 (each) | Awarded to both participants in the most exciting fight of the event. |
| Performance of the Night | $50,000 (each) | $100,000 (each) | Awarded to up to two fighters with the most outstanding individual performances. |
| Finish Bonus | N/A | $25,000 | Awarded to any fighter who wins by knockout or submission but does not receive a main bonus. |
How much do UFC fighters get paid?
UFC fighter pay is not a single flat fee but a structure composed of several parts:
Fighter pay in the Ultimate Fighting Championship isn’t a single paycheck it’s a layered system with multiple income streams that can vary massively depending on experience, ranking, and star power.
Base Salary (Show Money)
This is the guaranteed amount a fighter earns just for making weight and stepping into the Octagon-win or lose.
- New fighters: $10,000 – $15,000
- Mid-level / ranked fighters: $30,000 – $150,000+
- Champions & superstars: $500,000 – $3,000,000+
Fight Win Bonus
Most fighters have a “win bonus” that matches their base salary.
- If a fighter wins, they double their purse
- Example: $50,000 to show + $50,000 to win = $100,000 total
- Some top champions negotiate flat deals without a win bonus
Performance Bonuses
Awarded for standout performances on the card:
- Fight of the Night
- Performance of the Night (2 awards)
- Standard bonus: $50,000 (can increase for big events)
Pay-Per-View (PPV) Earnings
This is where elite fighters make serious money.
- Reserved for champions and major headliners
- Typically $1–$3 per PPV buy after a set threshold (e.g., 200K–300K buys)
- Can add anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million+ to total earnings
Sponsorship & Endorsements
Fighters earn additional income through official and personal deals:
UFC outfitting policy payouts:
- Unranked fighters: $3,500 – $5,000
- Ranked fighters: $4,000 – $42,000+
Personal sponsors: Allowed outside fight gear (fight kits are restricted)
Earnings vary widely based on popularity and marketability.
UFC 328 Fight Card:
Broadcast Format: The entire event streams live on Paramount+, with no pay-per-view fee.
Additionally, CBS will simulcast two hours of action from 8 PM to 10 PM ET, covering the final hour of prelims and the first hour of the main card.
Main Card (Paramount+ / CBS, 9 PM ET)
The main card features a title-fight doubleheader capped by the vacant light heavyweight championship.
Middleweight Championship: Khamzat Chimaev (c) vs. Sean Strickland
Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van (c) vs. Tatsuro Taira
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Welterweight: Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley
Lightweight: King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens
Prelims (Paramount+ / CBS, 7 PM ET)
The preliminary card streams live on Paramount+, with the final hour also airing on CBS beginning at 8 PM ET.
Light Heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov vs. TBA
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz
Lightweight: Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rębecki
Welterweight: Joel Álvarez vs. Yaroslav Amosov
Early Prelims (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)
The early prelims kick off the night exclusively on Paramount+.
Middleweight: Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio
Featherweight: Pat Sabatini vs. William Gomis
Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos
Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon
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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