Zhang Weili isn’t just one of the most dominant champions in UFC history — she’s also one of the highest-paid female fighters in the sport. Fans often wonder how much she earns every time she steps into the Octagon. If you’re curious about her fight purse, bonuses, PPV money, sponsorships, and what her total earnings look like in 2025, this guide breaks it all down in simple terms.
Let’s look at how much Zhang Weili makes per fight and where that money actually comes from.
How Much Does Zhang Weili Make Per Fight?
As of 2025, Zhang Weili typically makes $550,000 to $1.2 million per fight, depending on:
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Whether she’s defending the title
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Pay-per-view sales
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Event location
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Performance bonuses
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Brand deals attached to the fight
For standard title defenses (non-PPV heavy cards), she earns around $550K–$700K total.
For big PPV events, her total payout can easily exceed $1 million.
Breakdown of Zhang Weili’s Fight Earnings
A UFC fighter’s pay is split into several pieces. Let’s look at each one and how it applies to Weili.
1. Base Salary: $250,000 – $350,000
This is the guaranteed amount she gets just for showing up.
As a reigning champion, Zhang Weili’s base salary is significantly higher than most fighters.
2. Win Bonus: $100,000 – $150,000
If she wins, she earns a win bonus on top of the base pay.
Champions usually negotiate flat, no-win-bonus contracts, but Weili still has a structured bonus for some fights depending on contract cycles.
3. Performance Bonuses: $50,000
Zhang frequently earns:
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Performance of the Night ($50K)
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Fight of the Night ($50K)
She’s aggressive, powerful, and technical — perfect for bonus-worthy fights.
On average, she earns an extra $50K per fight in bonuses.
4. Pay-Per-View (PPV) Share: Up to $300,000 – $600,000+
This is where the real money comes from.
Top champions receive a percentage of PPV buys. Zhang Weili doesn’t get the same PPV points as massive stars like McGregor, but she does get:
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A small percentage of PPV buys
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A larger cut when she headlines major cards
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Bigger shares for China-targeted events, where UFC heavily promotes her
Big PPV cards can push her earnings past $1 million.
5. Sponsorships and Athlete Partnerships: $200,000+ per fight
Zhang is a major star in China, which means brands pay top dollar to associate with her during fight weeks. Her sponsors include:
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Chinese fitness brands
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Sports apparel companies
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Recovery and health brands
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International companies targeting Asian markets
Her sponsorship earnings per fight can easily reach $200K–$350K, depending on visibility.
Example Payout for a Zhang Weili PPV Fight
Here’s what a typical high-profile fight might look like:
| Earning Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $300,000 |
| Win Bonus | $150,000 |
| Performance Bonus | $50,000 |
| PPV Share | $400,000 |
| Sponsorships | $250,000 |
| Total Estimated Earnings | $1,150,000 |
This puts her solidly in the million-dollar-per-fight range on big cards.
Is Zhang Weili One of the Highest-Paid Female Fighters?
Yes — by a long shot.
Among female MMA fighters, she is top 3 in earnings, sitting alongside:
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Amanda Nunes (retired)
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Valentina Shevchenko
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Ronda Rousey (historic earnings)
Weili’s star power in Asia gives her a unique advantage. UFC heavily promotes her because she opens the Chinese market, which is huge for the company’s global expansion.
How Much Has Zhang Weili Earned in Her UFC Career?
By 2025, Zhang Weili has earned an estimated:
$6 million – $8 million in total UFC purse money
And when you add sponsorships:
$10 million+ in career earnings
This doesn’t include private endorsements or long-term brand partnerships in China, which could add even more.
Does Being Champion Increase Zhang Weili’s Salary?
Absolutely.
As a champion, she receives:
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Higher base pay
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Larger PPV cuts
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More sponsor visibility
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Better contract leverage
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Featured placement on UFC cards
Every time she defends her belt, her value grows — meaning bigger paychecks.
How Much Could She Earn in the Future?
If she remains champion or continues to headline major events, her earnings could rise to:
$1.5M – $2M per fight by late 2025 or 2026
If she ever fights in China on a massive pay-per-view card (which UFC has teased multiple times), that number could be even higher.
Her earning potential is still climbing.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does Zhang Weili make per fight?
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Standard fight: ~$550K+
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Big PPV event: $1M+
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Career total (2025): $10M+ including sponsorships
Zhang Weili isn’t just a champion — she’s one of the UFC’s most valuable global athletes. Her star power, cross-market appeal, and elite performances ensure she earns top-level pay every time she steps inside the Octagon.
