Entire UFC 318 Card Earns Less Than Oleksandr Usyk Makes in One Fight
In the world of combat sports, not all champions are paid equally — and a stark comparison between the UFC and boxing makes that painfully clear. A recent post by OnTheRopesCombat has ignited widespread discussion online, drawing attention to a jaw-dropping financial disparity between two of the most brutal sports in the world: mixed martial arts and professional boxing.
The post highlights that the combined payout for all 28 fighters at UFC 318 was $9,492,000. While that might seem like a solid payday at first glance, it quickly pales in comparison when you see what boxing superstar Oleksandr Usyk earned from just one fight. For his bout against Daniel Dubois, Usyk reportedly pocketed an astonishing $132,000,000 — nearly 14 times the total UFC 318 payroll.
Let that sink in: one fighter in one night earned over 13 times what 28 elite MMA athletes shared across an entire card.
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This discrepancy has brought renewed scrutiny to how UFC fighters are compensated. Fighters like Dustin Poirier, who headlined UFC 318 and has faced some of the most dangerous opponents in the sport’s history, may have carved out legendary résumés — but their paychecks don’t seem to reflect their contributions to the sport.
The image also serves as a symbolic and sobering snapshot of the financial gulf between the two sports. On one side, a battered Poirier, drenched in sweat and blood, stands as a representative of the UFC’s grueling fight economy. On the other, a roaring Usyk, triumphant and flush with cash, symbolizes the financial spoils available at the top of the boxing world.
It’s no secret that boxers often have more control over their earnings through promotional flexibility and direct revenue shares from pay-per-view sales. In contrast, UFC fighters are contracted under a rigid pay structure, with limited opportunities for financial leverage — a model that continues to spark debate among athletes and fans alike.
This isn’t the first time such disparities have surfaced, but the comparison puts things into a brutally clear perspective. For MMA fans and fighters alike, it raises tough questions: Is the UFC model sustainable? And when will its legends start getting paid like legends?
Until then, the harsh reality remains a UFC legend’s career earnings might not even match one payday in Oleksandr Usyk’s world.
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