The official fighter salary figures for the first-ever MVP MMA event on Netflix have now been released, revealing major payouts for several of the card’s biggest names including Ronda Rousey, Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry.
According to figures released through the California State Athletic Commission following the event at Intuit Dome in California, Rousey earned a disclosed purse of $2.2 million for her first-round submission victory over Gina Carano.
Carano reportedly earned $1.05 million in the losing effort.
Francis Ngannou among highest-paid fighters on card
Ngannou, who returned to MMA against Philipe Lins, reportedly earned $1.5 million for his appearance on the card.
Diaz took home a disclosed purse of $500,000 for his fight against Perry, while Perry reportedly earned $400,000 after stopping Diaz via corner stoppage.
Other disclosed salaries included:
- Salahdine Parnasse — $70,000
- Junior dos Santos — $80,000
- Jason Jackson — $110,000
- Chris Avila — $50,000
Several fighters on the card also reportedly earned the event’s guaranteed minimum purse of $40,000.
MVP MMA promises higher guaranteed pay structure
Before the event, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian stated that every fighter competing on the card would receive a minimum guaranteed purse of $40,000, along with bonus incentives.
Unlike the UFC’s traditional show-and-win structure, MVP MMA reportedly uses a flat-rate payment system regardless of the result.
The disclosed figures immediately sparked reactions online, especially after earlier speculation suggested some fighters may have earned significantly larger totals.
Many fans pointed out that commission-reported purses do not always reflect complete earnings because sponsorships, signing bonuses, pay-per-view incentives, private agreements, and undisclosed bonuses are not typically included in public athletic commission documents.
One fan commented:
“Those are guaranteed numbers. What they actually got is significantly higher than that.”
Others debated how the payouts compared to UFC salaries, particularly in the case of Ngannou, who previously spent years negotiating fighter pay issues during his UFC career.
Rousey says event aimed to break records
Leading into the event, Rousey hinted that the Netflix card would set a new financial benchmark for women in combat sports.
While she avoided revealing specific figures before the fight, Rousey claimed the event would surpass previous women’s combat sports purse records by a significant margin.
She also stated that one of her goals for the event was helping deliver the most-viewed MMA fight in history through Netflix’s global platform.
Saturday’s event ultimately became one of the most discussed MMA cards of the year, not only because of the fights themselves, but also because of the attention surrounding fighter pay and the future direction of MVP MMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Ronda Rousey make for the MVP MMA Netflix fight?
Ronda Rousey reportedly earned a disclosed purse of $2.2 million for her submission win over Gina Carano. Additional bonuses or sponsorship earnings were not publicly disclosed.
How much did Gina Carano make against Ronda Rousey?
Carano reportedly received a disclosed purse of $1.05 million for the fight.
How much did Francis Ngannou earn at MVP MMA?
Francis Ngannou reportedly earned $1.5 million for his first-round knockout victory over Philipe Lins.
How much did Nate Diaz and Mike Perry make?
Nate Diaz reportedly earned $500,000, while Mike Perry earned $400,000 for their fight.
Does the UFC pay fighters more than MVP MMA?
It depends on the fighter. Top UFC champions and pay-per-view stars can earn several million dollars per fight, especially when pay-per-view points are included. However, lower-level UFC fighters often earn significantly less guaranteed money than major stars.
What is the UFC’s typical beginner fighter salary?
Many UFC newcomers reportedly start around $12,000 to show and $12,000 to win, although contracts vary depending on experience and promotional value.
What was MVP MMA’s minimum guaranteed purse?
According to MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, every fighter on the card was guaranteed at least $40,000 before bonuses.
Are disclosed MMA salaries the full amount fighters make?
Not always. Athletic commission salary reports typically show guaranteed purses only. Sponsorships, signing bonuses, locker-room bonuses, performance incentives, and private agreements are often not included publicly.
What is the highest-paid fight in women’s MMA history?
Several major women’s boxing and MMA events have reportedly crossed multi-million-dollar payouts. Rousey claimed before the event that her fight with Carano would break previous women’s combat sports purse records.
Do MMA fighters pay taxes on fight purses?
Yes. Fighters are responsible for federal, state, and sometimes international taxes depending on where the event takes place and where they reside. Managers, coaches, gyms, and training expenses are also typically paid from fight earnings.
