In an unexpected twist at UFC 311, Brazilian MMA star Renato Moicano has walked away with more money than the reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, despite being defeated in the main event. Moicano, who stepped in on just one day’s notice to replace an injured Arman Tsarukyan, was originally set to face Beneil Dariush on the card. However, he found himself in the spotlight, elevated to the main event against Makhachev after making championship weight on Friday.
Makhachev, who had been on a dominant streak, made quick work of Moicano, submitting the No.10 ranked lightweight in the opening round. The victory not only extended Makhachev’s title defenses but also solidified his place as the top contender in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings—a position he has held for an impressive 439 days.
However, despite Makhachev’s victory and continued reign as one of the UFC’s best, it was Moicano who took home a larger paycheck that night. According to the California State Athletic Commission, Moicano earned a substantial $250,000 for his efforts, while the champion, Makhachev, received a flat fee of $200,000. This turn of events highlights the unpredictable nature of UFC payouts, where financial rewards can sometimes favor the underdog, even in defeat.
It’s important to note that these disclosed salaries do not reflect off-the-book bonuses or pay-per-view cuts that the UFC may offer, which could mean Makhachev’s earnings were boosted through these separate channels. However, Makhachev did not receive either a “Performance of the Night” or “Fight of the Night” bonus, meaning his payout remained the same.
While Makhachev’s salary remained steady, other fighters on the UFC 311 card were rewarded for their exceptional performances. Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov were both awarded the “Fight of the Night” bonus for their five-round battle in the co-main event. Both fighters earned an additional $50,000 on top of their purses for their thrilling performances.
Dvalishvili, who defended his UFC bantamweight title after claiming the belt from Sean O’Malley last September, earned $500,000 for his bout. Nurmagomedov, who participated in his first UFC pay-per-view event, took home a $100,000 base salary, in addition to his Fight of the Night bonus.
Meanwhile, Jiri Prochazka, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, was awarded a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his dominant victory over Jamahal Hill. Prochazka received a total of $300,000, including his base salary, win bonus, and performance bonus. Hill, on the other hand, earned only his $200,000 base salary after being stopped in the third round.
Jailton Almeida, another fighter who impressed the UFC 311 audience, earned a significant payday of $110,000, in addition to a $110,000 win bonus and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus after his dominant first-round victory over Sergey Spivak. Almeida’s spectacular finish earned him one of the highest payouts of the night.
While fighters like Moicano and Makhachev may have garnered attention for the surprising nature of their paydays, UFC 311 highlighted the unpredictable financial landscape of the sport. With UFC bonuses, base salaries, and pay-per-view earnings all in play, fighters’ final paychecks can vary widely. Still, despite the large sums involved, the performances and thrilling moments throughout the night were what truly stole the show.
For a complete list of UFC 311 contracted payouts, including win bonuses, see below:
- Renato Moicano: $250,000
- Islam Makhachev: $200,000
- Merab Dvalishvili: $500,000
- Umar Nurmagomedov: $100,000
- Jiri Prochazka: $300,000
- Jailton Almeida: $270,000
With UFC 311 delivering stunning results, the financial aspect is just one piece of the puzzle, as the sport continues to captivate fans around the world with electrifying matchups and ever-evolving career trajectories.
