Sara McMann is an American professional mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler. Known for her exceptional grappling skills, she competes in the women’s bantamweight division. She is currently signed to Bellator MMA.
She gained global recognition by winning a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics, making her the first American woman to achieve such a feat. Here we have Sara McMann’s net worth, earnings, career, achievements, and more.
Sara McMann’s Biography and Career
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sara McMann |
| Date of Birth | September 24, 1980 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Reach | 66 in (168 cm) |
| MMA Debut | May 28, 2011 |
| Team | Team Alpha Male |
| Fighting Style | Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Sara McMann was born on September 24, 1980, in Takoma Park, Maryland, United States. From a young age, she developed a passion for wrestling and began competing in the sport, achieving national success in high school and college.
After transitioning to mixed martial arts, she quickly rose to prominence due to her background in wrestling.
Wrestling Career
Sara McMann began her wrestling journey at 14 at McDowell High School in Marion, North Carolina. She made history by becoming the first American woman to earn a medal in Olympic wrestling, achieving a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece.
McMann’s impressive career also includes a silver medal at the 2003 World Championships and bronze medals at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships in the women’s freestyle 63 kg (138.75 lb) weight class.
Her significant contributions to the sport were recognized in 2022 when she was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.
MMA Career
Sara McMann made her MMA debut in 2011, transitioning from a highly successful wrestling career into mixed martial arts. Known for her wrestling dominance, McMann utilized her grappling abilities to control opponents, earning a reputation as one of the top fighters in the bantamweight division.
In her early MMA career, she fought for various regional promotions, quickly amassing a 6-0 record before being signed by the UFC in 2013.
Her UFC debut was against Sheila Gaff at UFC 159, where McMann won via TKO in the first round.
Her early UFC success led her to a title shot against then-bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey at UFC 170. Although McMann suffered a loss by TKO, her performance cemented her as one of the top contenders in the division.
She continued to compete against elite fighters such as Amanda Nunes, Miesha Tate, and Julianna Peña.
Sara McMann secured a victory against Alexis Davis on December 3, 2016, during The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions Finale. McMann won by submission using an arm-triangle choke in the second round at 2:52. This impressive performance earned her the “Performance of the Night” bonus.
In recent years, she transitioned to Bellator MMA. Sara McMann faced Leah McCourt on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300, where she suffered a loss by TKO due to punches in the first round at 4:30.
Achievements
Sara McMann’s biggest achievement came in the 2004 Summer Olympics, where she won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling.
Relationship Status
Sara McMann is in a committed relationship with Chad Bingham. The couple has been together for several years and shares a son named Lucas.
McMann is also a mother to a daughter, Bella, from a previous relationship with her late fiancé, Steven Blackford. Blackford tragically passed away in a car accident in 2004.
Sara McMann’s Net Worth Details
Sara McMann’s net worth is estimated to be between $500,000 to $1 million as of 2025. Her earnings come from fight purses, sponsorships, and bonuses throughout her career in both the UFC and Bellator.
She has consistently earned fight purses in the range of $30,000 to $50,000 per fight, with additional performance bonuses and pay-per-view shares from high-profile bouts.
Prize Money Earnings
| Event | Opponent | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 170 (Ronda Rousey) | Ronda Rousey | $20,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 81 | Lauren Murphy | $30,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 183 | Lina Länsberg | $35,000 |
| Bellator 293 (Arlene Blencowe) | Arlene Blencowe | $40,000 |
Pay-per-view Bouts
| No | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 170 | Rousey vs. McMann | February 22, 2014 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 340,000 |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $400,000 |
| 2021 | $450,000 |
| 2022 | $500,000 |
| 2023 | $550,000 |
| 2024 | $600,000 |
Endorsements
Sara McMann has partnered with brands such as Reebok and Venum, taking advantage of the UFC’s fighter sponsorship program. These endorsements have contributed to her financial success outside of fight purses.
MMA Records
| 21 matches | 14 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 2 |
| By submission | 5 | 4 |
| By decision | 8 | 1 |
FAQs
1. What is Sara McMann’s nationality and what is her combat sports background?
McMann is an American mixed martial artist and accomplished Olympic freestyle wrestler, making history as the first American woman to win a silver medal in Olympic wrestling at the 2004 Athens Games.
2. In which MMA promotions has McMann competed during her professional career?
She has fought in multiple major organizations, including the UFC, Invicta FC, and most recently Bellator, consistently competing in the women’s bantamweight division.
3. What is McMann’s fighting style and key strengths in the cage?
McMann’s style centers on elite wrestling, powerful top control, and strong takedowns, using her Olympic pedigree to dominate positionally and control opponents with physicality and technique.
4. When did McMann debut in MMA, and how did her early career unfold?
She turned pro in 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks, securing wins over top contenders and earning a UFC title shot within her first three years of competition.
5. Who are some of McMann’s most notable opponents throughout her MMA tenure?
She has faced prominent names such as Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Julianna Peña, and Ketlen Vieira, fighting some of the best women’s bantamweights in MMA history.
6. Has McMann challenged for or held any MMA championship titles?
McMann fought for the UFC bantamweight championship in 2014, taking on Ronda Rousey for the belt, and later became a contender in Bellator’s 135-pound women’s division.
7. What is McMann’s professional MMA record and method of victories?
McMann has accumulated wins by decision, technical knockout, and submission, relying on relentless wrestling and physical dominance to control the action against many ranked bantamweights.
8. How do coaches and analysts regard McMann’s contributions to women’s MMA?
Coaches praise her work ethic and technical foundation, while analysts credit McMann with helping bridge the gap between Olympic wrestling and MMA, inspiring more female wrestlers to enter the sport.
9. Has McMann dealt with any major injuries or significant setbacks in her career?
She has overcome injuries and lengthy layoffs, returning to face high-level competition after setbacks, further earning respect for her resilience and commitment to professional growth.
10. What is McMann’s ongoing role in MMA and her goals for the future?
McMann continues to compete in top organizations, aims to secure another title shot, and mentors young athletes, using her wrestling background to promote women’s participation in combat sports.
