UFC 311 delivered a night of unforgettable action, securing its place as one of the most remarkable events in recent memory. Held in Inglewood, California, the event featured a stacked card filled with thrilling finishes, surprising upsets, and standout performances that kept fans buzzing long after the final bell. In the main event, champion Islam Makhachev delivered a technical masterclass, reaffirming his dominance and cementing his status as one of the best in the sport.

The co-main event was equally captivating, as Merab Dvalishvili, aptly nicknamed ‘The Machine,’ showcased his relentless style in a hard-fought battle against rising star Umar Nurmagomedov. But the big question remains—how much did the fighters earn for their efforts in the Octagon? Let’s see how much did the fighters earn.

A closer look at how much the fighters made at UFC 311

The California State Athletic Commission is one of the few regularity bodies that reveals salaries for athletes after a UFC card.  Merab Dvalishvili topped the earnings at UFC 311, taking home $500,000 in base pay, along with $42,000 in Compliance Pay. However, he did not receive the additional $50,000 bonus for earning Fight of the Night honors during his first bantamweight title defense.

His opponent Umar Nurmagomedov took home a respectable $100,000 as his salary with no win bonus attached. Meanwhile, in a big surprise, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev earned $200,000, supplemented by $42,000 in Compliance Pay, for his quick submission victory over Renato Moicano. Interestingly, Moicano earned $250,000—more than the champion—for stepping in on short notice to save the main event.

The former light heavyweight champion duo of Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill secured $200,000 each as base pay for their main card barn burner with the Czech star earning an additional $50,000 talking his earnings to $250,000.

In addition to fighter payouts, the UFC distributed a six-figure total in Compliance Pay in partnership with its official outfitting partner, Venum. A total of $306,000 was awarded to fighters competing at UFC 311 under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program. This initiative encompasses requirements such as uniform standards, media obligations, and adherence to the fighter code of conduct, replacing the payments previously issued under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

As a reminder, these salaries do not reflect any off-book bonuses or potential PPV points paid out separately by the UFC. While Moicano won in terms of monetary level he had the opportunity of his lifetime at UFC 311. However, he proved no match to the Dagestani fighter’s skills and submitted in the first round. ‘Money’ seemed highly disappointed with the loss and took to X to share a message for his fans.

Renato Moicano breaks silence after his loss at UFC 311

Renato Moicano earned admiration for accepting a last-minute fight against the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The Brazilian was presented with a golden opportunity but ultimately fell short against Islam Makhachev. Before the bout, Moicano’s coach highlighted that ‘Money’ was in an ideal mental state to face the champion. However, all it took was just the first round for Makhachev to defend his title fourth time successfully.

In the first round, he appeared confident in striking exchanges with the champion, creating an air of suspense among fans who began to wonder if an upset was possible. However, the champion quickly turned the tide, taking Moicano to the ground and establishing control.

Following the loss, Moicano took to his X account to express a heartfelt message to his fans. The Brazilian tweeted, “That’s sucks !!! For now, I just want to win my next fight! Thank you UFC for the opportunity! Thank you, God, for my life.” He further added, “I wish I had won yesterday, grabbed the microphone, and told you to read Murray Rothbard’s What Has Government Done to Our Money!”

Moicano’s substantial payday highlights his courage in accepting a short-notice fight against a formidable opponent like Makhachev. Looking ahead, he is expected to remain a contender in the lightweight division, taking on elite competition and working toward furthering his career and achieving greater financial rewards.

Do you think it was right for him to earn more than Islam Makhachev? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.