Colby Covington is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon after nearly a year, taking on Joaquin Buckley in a 5 round showdown. ‘New Mansa’ heads into the fight riding the momentum of a recent victory, while ‘Chaos’ has faced some struggles in his recent outings.

There’s no doubt this clash is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling Fight Night events of 2024. The anticipation has sparked a wave of speculation within the MMA community. But how much are the fighters making at the event? Let us find out about it below.

How much are Joaquin Buckley and Colby Covington making in their next fight?

After a five-year hiatus, the UFC is making its highly anticipated return to Tampa, Florida, one of the most prominent cities on the East Coast, with an action-packed UFC Fight Night event. Colby Covington, a welterweight veteran has made substantial earnings, particularly from pay-per-view events.

For instance, in his 2021 title fight against Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, Covington earned a base salary of $500,000, along with additional sponsorship bonuses, bringing his total payout to over $1 million. In contrast, Joaquin Buckley has earned between $50,000 and $100,000 for his recent fights.

Performance bonuses, like the Performance of the Night award, are a significant part of a fighter’s earnings, often adding an extra $50,000 to their paycheck. For Colby Covington, his MMA career has been financially fruitful, with estimates from MMA Salaries suggesting that he’s earned approximately $4.4 million throughout his professional journey, bringing his total net worth to around $5 million.

Covington’s largest payday came after his bout with Leon Edwards at UFC 296, where he earned a hefty $800,000, despite losing the fight. His second-largest paycheck came in a loss to Kamaru Usman, where he took home around $580,000. For his upcoming fight against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, Covington is projected to earn close to $1 million from various sources, including his base salary, bonuses, and sponsorships.

Buckley, on the other hand, earned an impressive $311,000 after his stunning knockout of Stephen Thompson. The rising star is currently unbeaten in his last five fights, and if he can secure a win against Covington, he could potentially earn one of the biggest purses of his career, estimated between $500,000 and a million.

While these figures highlight the earnings of the main event fighters, UFC Tampa is stacked with a number of talented fighters across the card. So, how much are the rest of the fighters expected to earn? Let’s take a closer look at the potential payouts for the entire event lineup.

How much are Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo making at UFC Tampa? 

Cub Swanson brings a wealth of experience to the Octagon, having started his professional MMA career in 2004. Over his impressive 43-fight journey, Swanson has accumulated 29 wins and 14 losses, with no draws or no-contests. On the other hand, Billy Quarantillo began his career in 2013, nearly a decade after Swanson. Despite this, Quarantillo has built an impressive record of 18 wins and 6 losses.

When it comes to their earnings for UFC Tampa, the difference in experience and stature also plays a role. Swanson, a seasoned veteran with more than 40 professional MMA fights, is expected to earn a substantial paycheck for this bout, likely ranging between $100,000 and $150,000. This includes his base salary, win bonuses, and performance-based incentives.

Quarantillo, still on the rise in his UFC career, will earn less for this fight, with an estimated payout between $30,000 and $50,000. This amount accounts for his base salary, win bonuses, and potential performance bonuses. Despite earning less than Swanson, Quarantillo’s continued progress and growing recognition in the featherweight division could lead to higher paydays down the line.

Manel Kape, Vitor Petrino, and other fighters pay for UFC Fight Night 

Manel Kape, a former RIZIN bantamweight champion, is expected to earn a substantial paycheck for his appearance at UFC Fight Night Tampa. With his talent and experience, Kape’s estimated earnings are likely to range from $75,000 to $150,000, which includes his base salary, win bonuses, and potential performance bonuses for an outstanding showing inside the Octagon.

On the other hand, Vitor Petrino, still relatively new to the UFC scene, will likely earn a smaller paycheck, with estimates ranging from $20,000 to $40,000. As an up-and-coming prospect, Petrino’s earnings will primarily depend on his base salary and performance incentives. However, given his recent success in the promotion, it’s only a matter of time before his paydays become more lucrative as he climbs the ranks.

As the final UFC event of the year, UFC Fight Night Tampa is generating a lot of excitement, not only for its star-studded lineup but also for the potential impact it could have on the careers and earnings of its fighters. Are you ready for an action-packed conclusion to the year? Share your thoughts and excitement with us in the comments below!