Women’s bantamweight fighters salaries showcase dramatic growth from the division’s founding. Ronda Rousey earned $14 million revolutionizing women’s MMA. Amanda Nunes accumulated $8.3 million as the greatest female fighter ever. Current champion Julianna Pena commands $1.5 million per fight.
The 135-pound division created UFC’s first female superstars while proving women fighters generate massive PPV numbers and corresponding paychecks.
| Name | Nationality | MMA Record |
| Kayla Harrison | United States | 17–1 |
| Julianna Peña | United States | 12–5 |
| Raquel Pennington | United States | 16–8 |
| Ketlen Vieira | Brazil | 14–3 |
| Norma Dumont | Brazil | 12–2 |
| Macy Chiasson | United States | 10–3 |
| Irene Aldana | Mexico | 15–7 |
| Ailín Pérez | Argentina | 10–2 |
| Mayra Bueno Silva | Brazil | 10–4–1 |
| Yana Santos | Brazil | 15–8 |
| Karol Rosa | Brazil | 18–5 |
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | Brazil | 7–1 |
| Nora Cornolle | France | 8–1 |
| Miesha Tate | United States | 19–8 |
| Joselyne Edwards | Panama | 12–5 |
| Chelsea Chandler | United States | 5–2 |
10 Highest Paid UFC Fighters in Women’s Bantamweight Division Ranked
Women’s bantamweight launched UFC’s female divisions in 2012, creating unprecedented earning opportunities where champions now make more than many male fighters in lighter weight classes.
| Rank | Fighter | Net Worth | Career Earnings | Active/Retired | Championships |
| 1 | Ronda Rousey | $14M | $15M | Retired | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 2 | Amanda Nunes | $4M | $8.3M | Retired | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 3 | Holly Holm | $4M | $6M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 4 | Miesha Tate | $3M | $3.5M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 5 | Julianna Pena | $2.2M | $2M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 6 | Kayla Harrison | $2M | $2M | Active | 0 UFC Titles |
| 7 | Raquel Pennington | $1.5M | $3.2M | Active | 1 Bantamweight Title |
| 8 | Valentina Shevchenko | $5M | $2.7M | Active | 0 Bantamweight Titles |
| 9 | Cat Zingano | $1M | $800K | Retired | 0 UFC Titles |
| 10 | Sara McMann | $750K | $1.2M | Active | 0 UFC Titles |
Ronda Rousey dominates women’s MMA earnings with $15 million from just eight UFC fights. Her $3 million payday losing to Amanda Nunes remains the largest female fighter purse in history, while WWE added millions more to her fortune.
Amanda Nunes earned $8.3 million across her decade-long UFC career. Her biggest purse hit $450,000 defeating Felicia Spencer at UFC 250, modest compared to Rousey but reflecting consistent championship-level earnings over sustained excellence.
Julianna Pena leads active bantamweights with approximately $2 million career earnings. Her UFC 316 bout against Kayla Harrison projects $1.5 million total compensation, representing modern champion earning potential.
Who Made Most at Women’s Bantamweight?
Ronda Rousey earned approximately $15 million from UFC fights alone. Her final bout against Amanda Nunes paid $3 million base salary, more than most fighters earn across entire careers.
Rousey’s drawing power redefined women’s sports pay. Her UFC 193 fight against Holly Holm sold 1.1 million PPV buys, proving female fighters could generate numbers rivaling male champions and justifying massive purses.
Beyond UFC, Rousey added millions through WWE contracts and acting roles. Her total net worth reached $14 million by 2025, cementing her status as women’s MMA’s wealthiest pioneer.
Amanda Nunes earned $8.3 million total despite defeating Rousey in just 48 seconds. Her consistent $200,000-$450,000 per fight over 10 years demonstrated sustainable championship earnings versus Rousey’s brief meteoric rise.
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Women’s Bantamweight Pay Evolution
| Fighter | 2020 Net Worth | 2023 Net Worth | 2025 Net Worth | Growth % | Key Income Sources |
| Julianna Pena | $800K | $1.5M | $2.2M | 175% | UFC purses ($2M), TUF exposure |
| Raquel Pennington | $500K | $1M | $1.5M | 200% | UFC earnings ($3.2M), championship reign |
| Kayla Harrison | $1M | $1.5M | $2M | 100% | PFL crossover, Olympic credentials |
| Holly Holm | $4M | $4M | $4M | 0% | Boxing earnings, stable UFC pay |
Julianna Pena’s 175% growth came from her shocking upset over Amanda Nunes. Her UFC 269 title win paid approximately $300,000, while her UFC 277 rematch loss still netted $332,000, proving title fights guarantee six-figure purses.
Raquel Pennington doubled her wealth during her championship run. Her UFC 307 title defense paid $1.39 million including PPV points, dramatically exceeding her previous $110,000 base pay before winning gold.
Kayla Harrison’s PFL crossover brought Olympic credentials that command premium UFC pay. Her UFC 316 debut projects $750,000-$1 million, higher than most bantamweight contenders due to her two-division PFL championship pedigree.
Current Champion Earning Power
Julianna Pena commands $400,000-$500,000 base as former champion. Her UFC 316 bout against Kayla Harrison projects $1.5 million total including PPV shares, representing elite bantamweight earning potential in 2025.
Raquel Pennington earned $1.39 million at UFC 307 defending against Pena. Her $500,000 champion base plus $100,000 win bonus and PPV revenue demonstrates modern champion pay structures.
Amanda Nunes consistently earned $200,000-$450,000 per title defense during her reign. Her UFC 250 purse of $450,000 defeating Felicia Spencer represented peak female fighter earnings during her era.
Historic Women’s Bantamweight Purses
Ronda Rousey’s $3 million UFC 207 purse against Amanda Nunes stands untouched as women’s MMA’s largest payday. Her star power commanded ten times what champion Nunes earned for the same fight.
Raquel Pennington’s $1.39 million UFC 307 payday represents modern champion earning potential, nearly half of Rousey’s record but achieved through sustainable championship performance rather than meteoric fame.
Holly Holm earned $500,000 losing her title to Miesha Tate at UFC 196. Her opponent Tate made just $92,000 winning the belt, demonstrating how champion status dramatically affects purses.
Julianna Pena’s $1.03 million defeating Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 marked her career-high. Her projected $1.5 million UFC 316 purse suggests continued growth in women’s bantamweight championship pay.
FAQs
How much did Ronda Rousey make per fight?
Ronda Rousey averaged nearly $2 million per UFC fight. Her biggest purse was $3 million losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207.
What’s Amanda Nunes’ total UFC earnings?
Amanda Nunes earned $8.3 million across her 10-year UFC career. Her biggest purse was $450,000 defeating Felicia Spencer at UFC 250.
How much do women’s bantamweight champions make now?
Current champions earn $500,000 base with total compensation reaching $1.5 million for PPV title defenses including bonuses and revenue shares.
Did any female fighter earn more than Rousey?
No female fighter has earned more than Ronda Rousey’s $15 million UFC total. Amanda Nunes ranks second at $8.3 million career earnings.
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