According to unofficial reports, Khamzat Chimaev earned more than $3 million for his recent bout, though approximately 50% goes to taxes. His opponent Sean Strickland earned just over $1 million. The reported purse disparity highlights the financial gulf between the two fighters despite competing in the same main event. No official confirmation from the UFC has been provided. The post notes these are unofficial figures circulating in MMA media.
Unconfirmed reports circulating in MMA media suggest that Khamzat Chimaev earned more than $3 million for his recent middleweight bout against Sean Strickland, while Strickland reportedly took home just over $1 million for the same main event. The figures have not been officially confirmed by the UFC, and roughly half of Chimaev's reported earnings are said to go toward taxes.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," enters this spotlight as the number-one ranked middleweight and number-ten pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center, carries a 15-1-0 professional record. He is one of the sport's most imposing physical presences at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, and his statistical profile reflects a grappling-heavy attack — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, complemented by a striking accuracy rate of 60 percent.
Strickland, the current middleweight champion, is fighting out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas at 35 years old. "Tarzan" holds a 31-7-0 record and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. He is among the busiest strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 42 percent. His grappling output is more modest, averaging 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- The reported pay gap — more than $2 million between two fighters sharing the same main event — underscores how dramatically earning power can vary even at the top of a division.
- Strickland holds the championship, yet Chimaev's reported purse dwarfs his, raising questions about how the UFC structures compensation outside of title status alone.
- Because these figures remain unverified, any broader conclusions about UFC pay structure should be treated with caution until official disclosures emerge.
