Islam Makhachev walked into Madison Square Garden at UFC 322 with the chance to make history — and he walked out not just as a two-division UFC champion, but also as one of the highest-paid fighters of the year. His dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena didn’t just cement his legacy inside the Octagon — it delivered a massive financial payday that reflects his star power, championship status, and pay-per-view drawing ability.
While the UFC does not officially release fighter salaries, reliable industry standards, disclosed past payouts, and known PPV structures give us a clear estimate of what Makhachev earned at UFC 322.
Here’s the full breakdown.
Islam Makhachev’s UFC 322 Earnings (Estimated)
Based on previous title-fight contracts, PPV points, and disclosed champion pay, Makhachev’s payday at UFC 322 is estimated at:
Estimated Total Earnings: $3.5 million – $5 million
That total includes:
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Guaranteed base pay: ~$750,000
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Win bonus: None (champions typically receive flat pay)
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PPV revenue share: $2.5M to $4M
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Sponsorships + Fight Week incentives: ~$200,000
Let’s break those numbers down one by one.
Base Salary: ~$750,000 Guaranteed
As a reigning UFC champion moving up to challenge for a second belt, Makhachev’s contract is significantly higher than standard headliners. Lightweight champions typically receive a flat guaranteed purse, and moving into a champion-vs-champion super fight often triggers an increase.
This puts his UFC 322 base pay in the $700K–$800K range — similar to what Khabib, Nunes, and Usman earned in comparable super-fight scenarios.
Makhachev does not rely on a win bonus. He receives guaranteed money, win or lose.
PPV Points: Makhachev’s Real Money Maker
This is where Islam’s purse skyrockets.
UFC 322 was held at Madison Square Garden — historically one of the UFC’s highest-earning venues. We know from UFC’s own post-event reporting that the gate reached:
➡️ $13.6 million (3rd highest in MSG history)
UFC 322
A strong live gate always indicates strong PPV interest, and UFC 322 had:
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A two-title-fight lineup
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Islam attempting to become a double champ
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Shevchenko vs. Zhang as co-main
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Four KO finishes on the main card
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Positioned in November, a historically strong PPV month
Industry analysts estimate that UFC 322 likely sold 450,000–650,000 PPVs worldwide.
Champions usually receive PPV points starting around:
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$1 per buy after a certain threshold
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Sometimes increased to $2–$3 per buy for super fights
At conservative numbers:
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450K buys × $2 = $900,000
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650K buys × $3 = $1.95M
With bonuses and international rights adjustments, the realistic payoff becomes:
PPV Estimated Payout: $2.5M – $4M
This aligns with payouts of champions like Charles Oliveira, Volkanovski, Usman, and Israel Adesanya in similar PPV positions.
Sponsorships and Fight Week Incentives: $150K–$250K
As a champion and global star, Makhachev earns high-tier sponsorship rates.
These include:
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Crypto.com Fight Week incentive
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Personal sponsors (sportswear, nutrition brands, regional backers)
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Dagestan-based sponsorships
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International broadcast promos
Conservatively:
➡️ Estimated sponsorship earnings: $150K–$250K
Event Bonuses? Not For Makhachev
UFC bonuses for UFC 322 were awarded to:
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Bo Nickal
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Michael Morales
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Carlos Prates
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Benoît Saint Denis
Each received a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
UFC 322
Makhachev did not earn a Fight of the Night bonus, which is common for dominant, low-damage, grappling-heavy performances.
Final Estimated Total: $3.5M – $5M
Here is the full estimate in simple form:
| Income Category | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $700K–$800K |
| PPV Revenue | $2.5M–$4M |
| Sponsorships | $150K–$250K |
| Performance Bonus | $0 |
| Total Earnings | $3.5M – $5M |
This makes UFC 322 one of the biggest paydays of Makhachev’s career, likely surpassing his title defenses against Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski.
How This Compares to Makhachev’s Previous Earnings
Islam Makhachev has been trending upward with every fight:
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UFC 280 (vs Oliveira): ~$1.5M–$2M
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UFC 284 (vs Volkanovski): $2.5M–$3.5M
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UFC 294 (vs Volkanovski 2): ~$3M+
Now, UFC 322 puts him firmly in the elite tier of UFC earners — the same level once reserved for Jon Jones, Khabib, McGregor (pre-boxing), and Adesanya.
Why Makhachev Earns So Much Now
Three reasons:
1. Double-Champion Status
He now holds belts at:
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Lightweight
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Welterweight
Dual champions historically receive enhanced contracts and higher PPV percentages.
2. Dominant Winning Streak
Makhachev tied Anderson Silva’s 16-fight UFC win record, making him one of the most valuable athletes in the business.
3. Global Pull
Dagestan, UAE, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe all tune in heavily for his fights.
International buys dramatically boost PPV money.
Will Makhachev Earn Even More in His Next Fight?
Almost certainly yes.
After UFC 322, Islam called out:
“Open the White House. I’m coming.”
A U.S. political venue PPV — especially Washington D.C. — would be huge.
If he headlines that card:
Projected future PPV earnings:
$4M–$6M+
Adding another mega-fight against:
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Belal Muhammad
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Shavkat Rakhmonov
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Colby Covington
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Or a returning Khamzat Chimaev
…would push his earnings even higher.
Final Word: UFC 322 Was a Career-High Payday
Islam Makhachev didn’t just win a second UFC title — he secured one of the most lucrative checks of his life.
Estimated UFC 322 Payout: $3.5M–$5M
As a double champion with surging global popularity, Makhachev is now one of the highest-paid fighters in the world — and his earning ceiling is still rising.
