Zhang Weili walked into UFC 322 chasing two-division glory — an achievement only a handful of fighters in UFC history have ever reached. The former strawweight champion moved up to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title in the co-main event of a massive Madison Square Garden card. Although the fight didn’t go her way, Zhang still walked out with one of the highest paydays of her career.
While the UFC does not publicly disclose fighter salaries, Weili’s long championship history, international star power, and co-main event placement provide a clear picture of her UFC 322 earnings. Using the UFC’s standard pay structure, historical disclosed purses, and industry PPV data, here is a realistic payout estimate.
Zhang Weili’s UFC 322 Earnings (Estimated)
Estimated Total Earnings: $700,000 – $1.1 million
This includes:
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Base pay: $300K–$400K
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PPV share: $300K–$600K
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Sponsorships/bonuses: $50K–$100K
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Performance bonuses: $0
Even in defeat, Zhang earned one of the top three highest payouts of her MMA career.
Base Salary: $300,000–$400,000 Guaranteed
As a former two-time UFC strawweight champion — and one of the UFC’s biggest global stars — Zhang Weili earns a significantly higher base salary than most co-main event fighters.
Her recent title fights suggest a rising financial curve:
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UFC 261 (vs. Rose): $350K disclosed
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UFC 275 (vs. Joanna II): $310K disclosed
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UFC 292 (vs. Lemos): Estimated $350K–$400K
Given her move up in weight, her co-main event status, and MSG placement, Zhang’s UFC 322 base salary safely sits in the $300K–$400K range.
Like most elite champions and former champions, she likely receives flat pay with no win bonus.
PPV Points: The Biggest Part of Zhang’s Payout
UFC 322 drew major global attention:
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Shevchenko vs. Zhang was a high-profile champion vs. champion matchup
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Islam Makhachev attempted to become a two-division champion
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Massive live gate at MSG: $13.6M (top 3 in arena history)
UFC 322
Analysts estimate the event sold 450K–650K PPVs internationally.
Zhang Weili is one of the most important PPV draws for:
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China
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Southeast Asia
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North American Chinese-language markets
Her inclusion on the card boosts international buys, and fighters with global audience impact usually receive a percentage of PPV sales.
Zhang’s PPV structure is likely:
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$0.50–$1.00 per buy once the PPV crosses a threshold (typically ~200K)
Using those numbers, her estimated earnings would be:
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Low estimate: $300K
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High estimate: $600K
This places her PPV payout around:
➡️ $300K – $600K
The stronger the international buys, the closer she lands to the top of that range.
Sponsorship Earnings: $50,000–$100,000
Zhang Weili is one of the UFC’s most marketable athletes, with sponsorship deals spanning:
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Major Chinese brands
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Health and fitness companies
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Lifestyle sponsors
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Combat sports gear manufacturers
She also earns:
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Crypto.com incentive (based on champion tier)
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Venum fight week payments
This places her UFC 322 sponsorship revenue at:
➡️ $50K–$100K
As she continues to headline big international cards, this number will keep rising.
Performance Bonus: $0
Zhang Weili did not earn any of the $50,000 bonuses at UFC 322.
Performance of the Night bonuses went 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
UFC 322
Her loss to Shevchenko was competitive at moments but not bonus-worthy in the UFC’s eyes.
Full UFC 322 Payout Estimate for Zhang Weili
| Earnings Category | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $300K–$400K |
| PPV Share | $300K–$600K |
| Sponsorships | $50K–$100K |
| Bonus | $0 |
| Total Estimated | $700K – $1.1M |
Even in defeat, Zhang earned championship-level money.
How UFC 322 Compares to Zhang Weili’s Previous Paydays
Below is how her payout stacks up historically:
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UFC 248 vs. Joanna: ~$350K–$450K
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UFC 261 vs. Namajunas: ~$350K
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UFC 268 vs. Namajunas II: ~$500K–$700K
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UFC 292 vs. Lemos: ~$800K+ (including PPV share)
Given UFC 322’s PPV strength and global interest, this event is likely:
One of the top 2–3 highest paydays of her career.
Why Zhang Earns So Much, Even Without a Belt
Three key factors influence her earnings:
1. Global Market Impact
Zhang drives PPV and streaming numbers across Asia — a massive UFC priority market.
2. Former Champion Status
Former UFC champions with multiple title defenses always earn premium pay.
3. Co-Main Event Placement
In MSG cards, co-main fighters earn significantly more due to sponsor activations and higher international visibility.
What’s Next Financially for Zhang Weili?
Her earning potential remains huge.
Possible next fights could include:
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Rematch with Xiaonan Yan (massive China super-fight)
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Trilogy with Rose Namajunas
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Return to strawweight for another title run
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Move between divisions for superfights
Any of these matchups would place Zhang back in the $800K–$1.3M range per fight — and possibly more if she returns to championship status.
Final Word: Zhang Weili Earned Big at UFC 322
Despite falling short against Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili still secured a massive payday on one of the biggest cards of 2025.
Estimated Total UFC 322 Earnings: $700,000 – $1.1 million
Her star power remains undeniable, and she continues to be one of the UFC’s highest-paid female fighters.
