Rousey was the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo, taking bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She made her MMA debut as an amateur in 2010, and in 2012 became the first female fighter to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
UFC boss Dana White once famously declared that there would never be female fighting divisions in the UFC, and Rousey made it her mission to change his mind, per media company Talk Sport. Her signature move, the armbar, earned her a cult following from fans and the respect of fellow MMA fighters.
Rousey went on to try her hand at acting, appearing in The Expendables 3, Fast & Furious 7 and Charlie’s Angels. She is now a popular fixture on the professional wrestling circuit.
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7. Wanderlei César da Silva
Estimated net worth: US$18 million
Silva, who retired in 2022, was known for his aggressive style in the octagon, earning him the nicknames “The Axe Murderer” and “Cachorro Louco” (Crazy Dog). The Brazilian is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and had a 22-year career in MMA.
Controversy followed him after he avoided taking a random drug test, later admitting he was taking banned substances at the time, per ESPN. The revelation has besmirched his MMA record, but he is still recognised for his “street brawl” style and ability to dominate his opponents.
6. Fedor Emelianenko
Estimated net worth: US$18 million
Considered a pioneer of MMA, Emelianenko managed to remain an active fighter with Bellator MMA until the impressive age of 46, retiring in February last year. Per EssentiallySports, the Russian has been pegged as Mike Tyson’s opponent for the boxing legend’s potential comeback fight, which would take place in Saudi Arabia. But Tyson’s reps dismissed the speculation, insisting that no such negotiations are under way. Emelianenko, meanwhile, received a hero’s send-off after his final match, with plenty of hugs from his fellow MMA fighters.
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5. Georges St-Pierre
Estimated net worth: US$20 million
Canadian UFC legend St-Pierre, who retired in 2019, has faced an onslaught of speculation that he may return to the octagon for the UFC 300, with the event scheduled to take place in Las Vegas in April. It’s been rumoured that past UFC icons will be making an appearance, but GSP, as he is known to fans, denied involvement. The MMA fighter has added to his bank balance by starring in action flicks including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Kickboxer: Vengeance, Hitmen and Death Warrior.
4. Jacob “Tito” Ortiz
Estimated net worth: US$20 million
Ortiz is known for his “ground and pound” – getting opponents onto their backs and wearing them down with continuous punches. The Mexican-American MMA fighter and boxer wrote in his autobiography This is Gonna Hurt about how he grew up with drug-addicted parents in trailer parks and motels. He turned to wrestling to change his life, and today is one of the most iconic names in MMA. Ortiz also has his own equipment and clothing line, Punishment Athletics, and has made multiple appearances on TV shows.
3. Brock Lesnar
Estimated net worth: US$20 million
Lesnar is the definition of a skilled athlete, with impressive runs in wrestling, MMA and American football. The American heavyweight fighter had five wins and three losses in MMA, retiring in 2016. His entry into the octagon was a massive financial draw for the UFC, with his fights ranking among its highest-grossing pay-per-view events.During the 2021 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Draft, it was revealed that Lesnar had become a free agent, allowing him to appear on any fighting franchise. Last January, he was withdrawn from the WWE Royal Rumble event after being mentioned in the Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit, casting doubt on his future in the sport.
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2. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Estimated net worth: US$40 million
Nurmagomedov is widely considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, after retiring in 2020 with an undefeated record: 29 wins, zero losses and zero draws.
Known as The Eagle, the Russian was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 as a member of the Modern Wing. The Modern Era category features athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000 – when the first UFC event under unified MMA rules was held.
1. Conor McGregor
Estimated net worth: US$200 million
McGregor is the richest MMA fighter in the world – and for good reason. He made history as the first fighter to hold UFC championships in two weight classes – featherweight and lightweight – simultaneously.
The Irish fighter’s flamboyant personality has only added to his fan following over the years. Per GQ Australia, his total earnings from UFC alone equal US$39.3 million. His estimated net worth, however, is US$200 million.
“The Notorious” has made much of his wealth “off field”, with endorsement deals with the likes of Reebok, Monster Energy, Burger King and Beats by Dre. He also reportedly made US$600 million in 2021 from selling his Irish whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve.ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51kuqKzwLOgp52jZMC1xcueZqmdn6W5pnvCnqOemqKewaqx0miYq6yZmLmme5JrbGlvZWx8eXnRopqhnaOpeq65wGadop%2BYqbKzv4ywpquklGJ%2FcX6TZqWerF2svLPAx6xkq5meoLKleceiqq2noq56rq3KoqWgZZOku7C%2BjKaaoKqVnLyzecCnm2aqn6OxonnRqKysnak%3D