Valentina Shevchenko walked into UFC 322 with a chance to remind the MMA world exactly why she has been one of the most dominant champions in women’s MMA history. And after a clean sweep over Zhang Weili in the co-main event, she not only defended her flyweight crown with ease — she also secured one of the biggest paydays of her career.
While the UFC does not publicly disclose fighter salaries, years of industry data, past payouts, Nevada commission disclosures, and known pay-structure models give us a strong, realistic estimate of Shevchenko’s earnings for UFC 322.
Here is the full breakdown of what “The Bullet” likely made at Madison Square Garden.
Valentina Shevchenko’s UFC 322 Earnings (Estimated)
Given her status as a long-reigning champion appearing in the co-main event of a high-selling pay-per-view, Shevchenko’s total earnings for UFC 322 are estimated at:
Estimated Total Earnings: $900,000 – $1.4 million
This includes:
-
Guaranteed base salary: ~$300K–$350K
-
PPV revenue share: ~$500K–$900K
-
Sponsorships & incentives: ~$75K–$150K
-
Fight bonuses: None (did not receive a Performance bonus)
Let’s break each category down in detail.
Base Salary: ~$300,000–$350,000 Guaranteed
As a multi-time UFC champion with nearly a decade at the top of the division, Shevchenko earns one of the highest guaranteed salaries among female fighters.
Her previous disclosed purses show consistent upward growth, especially in championship bouts. For UFC 322:
-
She entered as the defending flyweight champion
-
She fought the former strawweight champion
-
She was in the co-main event of one of the biggest MSG cards in years
Champions typically receive flat pay with no win bonus, especially when they have long-term contracts.
That puts Shevchenko’s base salary comfortably in the $300K–$350K range.
PPV Points: The Most Important Part of Her Payday
As a long-standing champion, Shevchenko is believed to have PPV points written into her contract. While the co-main event traditionally receives fewer points than the headliner, a dominant champion fighting another former champion on a big card still commands a meaningful share.
UFC 322 generated massive interest:
-
A double-champ attempt by Makhachev
-
Two title fights
-
Four knockouts on the main card
-
A huge Madison Square Garden gate: $13.6 million
UFC 322
This type of event almost always performs well on pay-per-view.
Industry estimates place UFC 322 between 450K–650K PPV buys.
Valentina’s PPV structure is likely:
-
$0.50–$1.00 per PPV buy
-
Kicks in after a buy threshold (often 200K–250K)
That places her estimated PPV payout at:
➡️ $500,000 – $900,000
This is consistent with what Amanda Nunes once earned as a long-term women’s champion on high-performing cards.
Sponsorship Earnings: $75,000–$150,000
Shevchenko’s global brand, multilingual fanbase, and long championship run mean she commands strong sponsorship value.
Her UFC 322 sponsorship earnings likely included:
-
Crypto.com Fight Week incentive ($32K–$42K for champions)
-
Personal brand sponsors (apparel, fitness, and travel brands)
-
International sponsors from Kyrgyzstan, Peru, and U.S. markets
Depending on activation deals negotiated for fight week, Shevchenko’s sponsorship total sits around:
➡️ $75K – $150K
Performance Bonus: $0
Despite a flawless, clean 50–45 sweep against Zhang Weili, Shevchenko did not earn a $50,000 bonus at UFC 322.
The bonuses went instead to:
-
Bo Nickal
-
Michael Morales
-
Carlos Prates
-
Benoît Saint Denis
UFC 322
Shevchenko’s performance was dominant, but not the explosive type the UFC typically rewards for bonuses.
Total Estimated UFC 322 Earnings for Shevchenko
Here’s the conservative-to-realistic payout summary:
| Earnings Category | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $300K–$350K |
| PPV Share | $500K–$900K |
| Sponsorships | $75K–$150K |
| Bonus | $0 |
| Total Estimated | $900K – $1.4M |
This places UFC 322 among the top-earning fights of her entire career, comparable to her larger PPV headliners against Nunes, Andrade, or Grasso.
How This Compares to Her Previous Paydays
Historically, Shevchenko has earned:
-
$400K–$600K range for standard title fights
-
$600K–$800K+ on PPV-heavy cards
-
$1M+ when PPVs perform extremely well
Given UFC 322’s strong numbers, this event leans toward the upper end of her career earnings.
Shevchenko has not reached Ronda Rousey or Amanda Nunes’ peak numbers, but she remains one of the highest-paid female combat athletes in the world.
Why Shevchenko Earns More Than Most Champions
Three factors drive her value:
1. Longevity at the Top
Nearly a decade of dominance at flyweight builds reliable brand value.
2. Cross-Regional Marketability
She has major fanbases in:
-
Kyrgyzstan
-
Kazakhstan
-
Peru
-
United States
-
Russia
This translates into excellent international PPV numbers.
3. Consistency in Big Events
She rarely pulls out, never fails to make weight, and always performs.
Reliable champions earn more.
Could Shevchenko Earn Even More Next Time?
Absolutely — especially if her next fight is:
-
Against Erin Blanchfield (rising star)
-
Against Kayla Harrison (superfight potential)
-
Or another title fight on a fully-stacked PPV card
A mega-fight could push her next payout into:
➡️ $1.5M – $2M range
Which is elite territory for women’s MMA.
Final Word: UFC 322 Was a Big Financial Win for Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko didn’t just beat Zhang Weili — she delivered a masterclass performance and secured one of the highest-paying fights of her legendary career.
Estimated UFC 322 Earnings: $900K – $1.4M
For a champion who has already accomplished nearly everything in the sport, her financial momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
