The featherweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway in the UFC 308 on October 26 is one of the year’s most anticipated fights. The classic grappler vs. striker fight is scheduled for five rounds where an undefeated Topuria will look to defend his title for the first time in his career.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) created waves by becoming the 145-pound champ in February when he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, less than four years since making his UFC debut in October 2020. A master in the ground game with a background in wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Topuria expects to become the first fighter to knock out Holloway.

On the other hand, Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), a former UFC featherweight champ, has established himself as an elite striker with multiple records in the UFC. He tops the promotion in total strikes (3,622) and significant strikes (3,378). If this is not enough, he has landed the highest number of significant strikes in a single fight (445 vs. Calvin Kattar). Max was somewhat derailed after losing all the fights in a trilogy with Volkanovski. A win over Arnold Allen followed by back-to-back knockouts of Chan Sung Jung and Justin Gaethje have brought the Hawaiian back to title contention.

So stakes are high for both fighters in the headline fight at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. As fans eagerly await this clash of the titans, many are curious about the potential payouts for these elite athletes. While official figures aren’t available yet, estimates suggest that both fighters will receive substantial compensation for their efforts. Let’s have a look at it!

What is Ilia Topuria’s salary at UFC 308 PPV?

‘El Matador’ was last seen at UFC 298 when he unseated Alexander Volkanovski to clinch division gold via second-round KO. As per MMA Fighting, Topuria had made around $350,000 for his efforts.

This time, Topuria enters the octagon not just as a challenger but as the reigning champion, which could significantly boost his payout. According to estimates from Sporty Salaries, Topuria might earn around $750,000 for his title defense against Max Holloway. This figure could rise even further with a share of the Pay-Per-View revenue, especially given the high stakes of this matchup.

The Spanish-Georgian had affirmed his claim via MMA Junkie in the Webpositer Podcast in May, saying, “Look, I can tell you I do not doubt that in 2025, I will be the highest-paid athlete in the world.” The goal is lofty, but it does not seem too farfetched. It might be only a matter of time till we see him up with Conor McGregor ruling the payment charts. But how much his Hawaiian opponent might be blessed with?

What is Max Holloway’s salary at UFC 308?

Max Holloway’s last outing was at the historic UFC 300 in April 2024, where he faced Justin Gaethje for the BMF title. In a thrilling performance, “Blessed” secured victory with a stunning last-second knockout. As reported by Sport Bible, Holloway earned nearly $2.7 million for that fight, which included two special bonuses of $300,000 each.

As he gears up for his next challenge, reports from Sporty Salaries suggest Holloway could earn around $500,000 for this matchup. However, factoring in Pay-Per-View revenue and additional bonuses, his total earnings could soar to approximately $2.1 million.

Holloway’s journey in the UFC has been remarkable. He began his career in 2012 with a modest $12,000 payout in his loss to Dustin Poirier and has seen his earnings grow steadily over 12 years and 28 fights, amassing a total of $6 million.

As he prepares for this high-stakes bout, fans are left wondering: could Holloway not only win but also surpass Topuria in earnings? Is there a chance he could become the highest-paid UFC athlete, rivaling Conor McGregor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!