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 background in wrestling?
Sara McMann is a trailblazing Olympic wrestler, earning a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics—the first American woman to win an Olympic wrestling medal. She also won silver at the 2003 World Championships and bronze medals at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships.
2. When did Sara McMann transition to MMA?
McMann began her professional MMA career in 2011, making her debut with a first-round submission victory. She signed with the UFC in 2013 and later joined Bellator MMA, competing in both bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
3. What is Sara McMann’s professional MMA record?
McMann holds a record of 14 wins and 7 losses. Of her 14 wins, 8 came by decision, 5 by submission, and 1 by knockout.
4. Has Sara McMann ever fought for a UFC title?
Yes. She challenged Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 170 in 2014 but lost via controversial first-round TKO.
5. What are Sara McMann’s most notable MMA achievements?
- UFC Performance of the Night (vs. Alexis Davis).
- Second-most takedowns in UFC Women’s Bantamweight history.
- Inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022.
6. How does Sara McMann balance motherhood with her fighting career?
As a single mother, McMann prioritizes focus during fight camps, temporarily separating from her daughter during weight cuts. She emphasizes discipline and family support as key to her success.
7. What is Sara McMann’s fighting style?
Known for her elite wrestling base, McMann integrates grappling, submissions, and striking. She trains with Team Alpha Male and has honed her striking with UFC flyweight Justin Scoggins.
8. What weight class does Sara McMann compete in?
McMann has fought in both bantamweight (135 lbs) and featherweight (145 lbs) divisions. As of 2025, she competes in Bellator’s Women’s Featherweight division.
9. Who are Sara McMann’s most high-profile opponents?
- Ronda Rousey (UFC 170).
- Miesha Tate (UFC 183).
- Amanda Nunes (UFC Fight Night 105).
- Leah McCourt (Bellator 300).
10. What is Sara McMann’s current status in MMA?
McMann last fought at Bellator 300 in October 2023, losing to Leah McCourt via knockout. While no future fights are scheduled, she has expressed interest in facing Cris Cyborg.
