Bantamweight fighters salaries prove small fighters earn big money. Merab Dvalishvili banked $2.39 million at UFC 316. Sean O’Malley built $4 million through flashy performances. Henry Cejudo earned $1.2 million in a single championship defense.
The 135-pound division delivers consistent action that translates into substantial purses for champions and contenders alike.
| Name | Nationality | MMA Record |
| Frankie Edgar | United States | 24–11–1 |
| Dominick Cruz | United States | 24–4 |
| José Aldo | Brazil | 32–8 |
| Cory Sandhagen | United States | 17–7 |
| Petr Yan | Russia | 17–5 |
| Rob Font | United States | 20–8 |
| Marlon Vera | Ecuador | 23–9–1 |
| Song Yadong | China | 21–8–1 |
| Merab Dvalishvili | Georgia | 18–4 |
| Raphael Assunção | Brazil | 27–11 |
| Pedro Munhoz | Brazil | 19–8 (1 NC) |
| Ricky Simon | United States | 20–4 |
| Henry Cejudo | United States | 16–3 |
| Sean O’Malley | United States | 18–2 (1 NC) |
| Umar Nurmagomedov | Russia | 18–0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | Brazil | 23–3–1 |
| Mario Bautista | United States | 15–3 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | Russia | 17–3 |
| Kyler Phillips | United States | 12–2 |
| Jonathan Martinez | United States | 19–5 |
| Adrian Yanez | United States | 17–4 |
| Montel Jackson | United States | 13–3 |
| Marcus McGhee | United States | 9–1 |
| Aiemann Zahabi | Canada | 13–2 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | Brazil | 20–3 |
| Payton Talbott | United States | 8–0 |
| Miles Johns | United States | 15–3 (1 NC) |
| Khalid Taha | Germany | 15–4 |
| Brian Kelleher | United States | 24–14 |
| Cody Stamann | United States | 21–7–1 |
| Casey Kenney | United States | 17–5–1 |
| Raoni Barcelos | Brazil | 17–5 |
| Davey Grant | England | 13–6 |
| Taylor Lapilus | France | 20–4 |
| Victor Henry | United States | 23–6 |
| Douglas Silva de Andrade | Brazil | 28–6 (1 NC) |
| Rani Yahya | Brazil | 28–12 (1 NC) |
| Andre Ewell | United States | 18–9 |
| Tony Gravely | United States | 24–8 |
| Gaetano Pirrello | Italy | 16–6–1 |
| Jack Shore | Wales | 17–2 |
| Garrett Armfield | United States | 9–3 |
| Daniel Marcos | Peru | 15–0 |
| Jean Matsumoto | Brazil | 13–1 |
| Farid Basharat | Afghanistan | 12–0 |
| Cameron Saaiman | South Africa | 9–0 |
| Cristian Quiñónez | Mexico | 17–4 |
| Ricky Turcios | United States | 13–3 |
| Danaa Batgerel | Mongolia | 10–2 |
| Chad Anheliger | Canada | 13–2 |
| Da’Mon Blackshear | United States | 14–6–1 |
| Jesse Butler | Canada | 12–5 |
| Bernardo Sopaj | Albania | 12–3 |
| Felipe dos Santos | Brazil | 9–1 |
| Ihor Potieria | Ukraine | 20–4 |
| Rinya Nakamura | Japan | 8–0 |
| Jake Hadley | England | 10–2 |
| Allan Nascimento | Brazil | 19–6 |
| Brady Hiestand | United States | 7–2 |
| Chico Camus | American | 18-8-1 (1 NC) |
| Joe Soto | American | 18-7 |
| Danny Sabatello | American | 14-4-1 |
| Edir Terry | Venezuelan | 15-6-0 |
| Joseph Barajas | American | 12-5-2000 |
| Jin Soo Son | South Korean | 9-4-2000 |
| Michael McDonald | American | 19-4-0 |
| Bethe Correia | Brazilian | 11-5-2001 |
| Julia Avila | American | 9-4-2000 |
| Roland Delorme | Canadian | 11-8-2000 |
| Vanessa Melo | Brazilian | 11-9-2000 |
| George Roop | American | 15-13-1 |
| Mando Gutierrez | American | 11-3-2000 |
| Liu Pingyuan | Chinese | 15-6-0 |
| Luke Sanders | American | 13-5-0 |
| Jimmie Rivera | American | 23-5-0 |
| Vince Cachero | American | 7-4-2000 |
| Benito Lopez | American | 10-2-2000 |
| Henry Briones | Mexican | 16-9-1 |
| Augusto Mendes | Brazilian | 6-3-2000 |
| Antonio Banuelos | Mexican-American | 20-12-0 |
| Russell Doane | American | 16-9-0 |
| Bryan Caraway | American | 22-9-0 |
| Anthony Birchak | American | 16-8-0 |
| Louis Smolka | American | 17-9-0 |
10 Highest Paid UFC Fighters in Bantamweight Division Ranked
Bantamweight produces exciting fighters whose relentless pace and finishing ability generate massive PPV interest that rewards them with championship-level purses.
| Rank | Fighter | Net Worth | Career Earnings | Active/Retired | Championships |
| 1 | Urijah Faber | $8M | $5M | Retired | 0 UFC Titles |
| 2 | Sean O’Malley | $4M | $4.2M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 3 | Dominick Cruz | $4M | $4.5M | Active | 2 Bantamweight Titles |
| 4 | Aljamain Sterling | $3M | $3.5M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 5 | Merab Dvalishvili | $2.5M | $5.8M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 6 | TJ Dillashaw | $3M | $3.8M | Retired | 2 Bantamweight Titles |
| 7 | Cody Garbrandt | $2M | $2.3M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 8 | Henry Cejudo | $2M | $3M | Retired | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 9 | Petr Yan | $2M | $2.8M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 10 | Marlon Vera | $1.5M | $1.6M | Active | 0 UFC Titles |
Urijah Faber built bantamweight’s foundation with $8 million net worth despite never winning UFC gold. His WEC dominance and Team Alpha Male gym ownership created wealth beyond fight purses.
Sean O’Malley accumulated $4 million through flashy knockouts and savvy self-promotion. His biggest payday came losing to Merab Dvalishvili, earning $1.98 million at UFC 316.
Merab Dvalishvili’s $2.39 million UFC 316 purse represents the largest bantamweight payday in history. His relentless wrestling style and championship win transformed him from $14,000 debut pay to million-dollar main events.
Who Makes Most at Bantamweight?
Merab Dvalishvili earned $5.8 million across his UFC career with explosive recent growth. His UFC 316 title defense against O’Malley paid $2.39 million, while his initial title win at UFC 306 netted $1.43 million including PPV shares.
Dominick Cruz accumulated approximately $4.5 million through two separate championship reigns. His $350,000 purse losing to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 represented standard champion pay during his era, though modern bantamweights earn triple those amounts.
Sean O’Malley’s $4.2 million came rapidly through consistent knockouts. His title-winning performance against Aljamain Sterling paid $600,000, while championship defenses escalated to $1 million base before losing to Dvalishvili.
Bantamweight Pay Evolution
| Fighter | 2020 Net Worth | 2023 Net Worth | 2025 Net Worth | Growth % | Key Income Sources |
| Merab Dvalishvili | $200K | $1M | $2.5M | 1150% | UFC purses ($5.8M), championship run |
| Sean O’Malley | $500K | $2M | $4M | 700% | UFC earnings, social media, sponsorships |
| Aljamain Sterling | $1.5M | $2.5M | $3M | 100% | UFC purses ($3.5M), lengthy title reign |
| Petr Yan | $1M | $1.8M | $2M | 100% | UFC earnings, Russian market appeal |
Merab Dvalishvili’s 1150% growth represents unprecedented bantamweight financial success. His journey from $14,000 debut to $2.39 million championship defense showcases how consistent wins multiply earning potential exponentially.
Sean O’Malley’s 700% surge came from his marketability. His colorful hair and knockout power attracted mainstream attention, allowing him to command $1 million purses before even winning the title.
Aljamain Sterling doubled his wealth during his controversial title reign. His $230,000 purse winning by disqualification against Petr Yan jumped to $500,000-$800,000 for successful defenses.
Championship Purse Breakdown
Merab Dvalishvili commands $500,000 base as champion with total payouts exceeding $2 million for PPV events. His UFC 316 defense earned $2.39 million including bonuses and PPV shares.
Sean O’Malley earned $1 million base during his championship reign. His title defense against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 paid $1.1 million total including $100,000 performance bonus.
Aljamain Sterling earned $500,000-$800,000 per title defense during his reign. His biggest purse came losing the title to O’Malley, banking approximately $750,000 despite the defeat.
Henry Cejudo’s retirement fight paid $1.2 million defeating Dominick Cruz, setting the bantamweight record before Dvalishvili shattered it years later.
Historic Bantamweight Paydays
Merab Dvalishvili’s $2.39 million UFC 316 purse stands as the division’s largest disclosed payday. His submission victory over O’Malley proved relentless wrestling sells PPVs when combined with championship stakes.
Sean O’Malley earned $1.98 million losing his title at UFC 316. His flashy style maintained drawing power even in defeat, guaranteeing continued seven-figure purses.
Henry Cejudo’s $1.2 million retirement fight against Dominick Cruz held the record for years. His dual-championship status elevated his earning power beyond typical bantamweight pay scales.
Cody Garbrandt earned $200,000 winning the title from Dominick Cruz at UFC 207, demonstrating how champion pay has quintupled in less than a decade.
FAQs
How much did Merab make at UFC 316?
Merab Dvalishvili earned $2.39 million at UFC 316, the largest bantamweight purse ever. This included base pay, bonuses, and PPV revenue shares.
What’s Sean O’Malley’s biggest payday?
Sean O’Malley’s biggest payday was $1.98 million losing his title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. His flashy style maintained high earning potential regardless of outcomes.
How much does the bantamweight champion make?
Current champion Merab Dvalishvili earns $500,000 base with total compensation exceeding $2 million for PPV title defenses including bonuses and revenue shares.
Did Aljamain Sterling make millions?
Yes, Aljamain Sterling accumulated approximately $3.5 million in career earnings through his lengthy title reign, earning $500,000-$800,000 per championship defense.
