How Much They Earn Per Fight

Highlights

• PFL offers top MMA competitors the chance for 7-figure earnings from tournaments.
• Fighters in PFL can earn more than UFC counterparts, depending on wins.
• Future plans include crossover events with Bellator and pay-per-view on ESPN.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is one of the top mixed martial arts organizations in the world, as top contenders have the potential to score lucrative paydays including 7 figure purses for the top fighters. Many UFC fighters turned to the PFL and revealed they earn larger salaries than competing in the premier MMA organization.

The league was founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017, before debuting a year later. Also, the PFL is backed by major investors, including Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, and owners from the NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS. According to the company, it is the fastest-growing sports league globally.

The Big $1 Million Explained

Champions Of Each Weight Class Win The Prize

• The top four fighters in the regular season based on points qualify for the playoffs.
• Two playoff wins will earn a fighter $1 million.

Every fighter’s goal in the PFL is to win the $1 million prize through the tournament structure. The award goes out to the champions of each weight class. For men, this includes featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. The lone division in the PFL for women is lightweight.

In each weight class, 10 fighters compete twice a year and earn points based on the results of the match. For example, any win will give a fighter three points – but they can score another three for submitting or knocking out their opponents. Draws get fighters one point each, while a loss earns nothing. Plus, bonus points can be earned for stoppages depending on how quickly it happens. For instance, a first-round gets three extra points, the second gets two, and the third gets just one.

Fighters who finish in the top four in points during the regular season qualify for the playoffs. To win the tournament, they will need to win two fights. In addition, PFLers earn pay for their fights on top of the potential $1 million they can win.

How Does Pay Compare with UFC?

In Some Cases, PFL Fighters Earn More Money

The UFC has long been criticized for the lack of pay it provides its fighters, as they only reportedly earn about 18 percent of the company’s revenue. Meanwhile, other major sports, including the MLB and NFL, pay their athletes closer to 50 percent. In terms of actual pay, the average UFC fighter in 2022 made $150,249, according to The MMA Guru. Championship-level fighters or stars in the sport can earn anywhere from $500,000 to millions of dollars per fight. Bottom-tier fighters, meanwhile, could make as low as $10,000 per bout in show money.

So how does the PFL compare to that? Can they earn more than UFC fighters? The short answer is yes and no, as it will depend on the opponent and who else is fighting that night. At PFL 4 in 2023, several made under $20,000 in their fights, according to The Sporting News. For example, Impa Kasanganay only came away with $16,000 in his victory while his losing opponent, Tim Caron made $10,000. Other losing PFL fighters, including Akeem Bashir and Brandy Hester took home only $3,000 each.

But more prominent names can make more money. For example, Natan Schulte made $99,000 at PFL 8 after defeating Akhmed Aliev, who took home $74,950. Plus, stars in the sport have the potential to make three figures. For example, Kayla Harrison earned $500,000 and $125,000 after her victories in PFL 7 and PFL 6. Anthony Pettis, who was a Lightweight champion in the UFC, made a whopping $750,000 just for losing at PFL 5.

Also, some fighters have spoken out against UFC fighter pay, including former UFC star Shane Burgos, who made $100,000 at PFL 6 after beating Yamato Nishikawa.

“Aside from the million dollars to win the whole thing, my money per fight is phenomenal. I’m making way more money— it takes about four UFC fights, with the show and win money, to make what I’m making for a PFL fight,” the 32-year-old told the Cageside Press.

What’s The Future Of The PFL?

The PFL Will Make Crossover Events With Bellator

• PFL makes big splash with Ngannou signing.
• The new broadcast deal with ESPN will allow pay-per-view fighters to earn 50 percent of the revenue share.
• The purchase of Bellator makes for exciting matchups.

The PFL, of course, is still in its early stages – only being around for just several years so far. But still, the sport is emerging. Davis wrote in an X post, formerly known as Twitter, that the average viewership on ESPN was 411,000 in 2023, up 35 percent. Now, of course, that doesn’t yet compare to the UFC, which averages hundreds of thousands of views to millions of views depending on who is featured on the card.

But there are big plans for the PFL, as it will continue to look to compete and acquire talent. Perhaps the biggest splash was when it signed UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou last spring. The 36-year-old could be making over $4 million per fight, while his opponents will earn at least $2 million, according to Front Office Sports.

With the purchase of Bellator, PFL will have more cross over events after the PFL vs. Bellator card which took place in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, who is allowed to fight inside a boxing ring under his deal, is expected to make his PFL debut in 2024.

Also, the PFL recently struck a new TV deal with ESPN to launch a new pay-per-view Super Fight event, which will give fighters 50 percent of the revenue share. The first event happened in February.