Ilia Topuria stunned the MMA world in early 2024 by dethroning Alexander Volkanovski to become the new UFC Featherweight Champion. At just 27, he’s on top of the sport—with speed, power, and a killer instinct that’s drawn comparisons to prime Jose Aldo. But while his legacy is soaring, his bank account tells a different story.
In 2025, Topuria’s estimated net worth sits between $1.5 million and $2 million—a solid figure for a rising star, but dwarfed by fellow champion Islam Makhachev, whose wealth is projected at $5 million to $7 million . This gap isn’t just about talent; it’s about time, visibility, and the business of being a UFC superstar. So, what’s really driving the Topuria vs Makhachev net worth divide?
Let’s pull back the curtain on fight purses, hidden bonuses, global endorsements, and why being a champion is only the beginning of financial success in the UFC.
Table of Contents
- The Champions at a Glance
- Topuria vs Makhachev Net Worth: The Full Breakdown
- UFC Fight Purses: Who Earns More?
- Endorsements and Brand Deals: The Real Money Maker
- The Role of PPV Points and Hidden Bonuses
- Future Financial Outlook: Who Wins Long-Term?
- Conclusion: Talent Isn’t Enough—You Need Time
- Sources
The Champions at a Glance
Ilia Topuria
– Age: 27
– UFC Record: 10–0
– Champion Since: Feb 2024 (UFC 298)
– Nationality: Spanish-Georgian
– Notable Wins: Volkanovski, Ortega, Santos
– Estimated 2025 Net Worth: $1.5M–$2M
Islam Makhachev
– Age: 33
– UFC Record: 25–1
– Champion Since: Oct 2022 (UFC 280)
– Nationality: Russian (Dagestani)
– Notable Wins: Oliveira, Volkanovski (twice), Green
– Estimated 2025 Net Worth: $5M–$7M
Despite both holding gold, their financial trajectories are worlds apart.
Topuria vs Makhachev Net Worth: The Full Breakdown
The Topuria vs Makhachev net worth gap reflects more than just career length—it reveals how UFC wealth accumulates through layers of income:
- Base Fight Purse: Reported payouts from the UFC.
- Win & Performance Bonuses: Extra cash for finishes or standout fights.
- PPV Points: A massive revenue stream reserved for proven draws.
- Endorsements: Deals with brands like Reebok (now Venum), Monster Energy, and regional partners.
- Regional Appeal: Fighters from high-engagement markets (e.g., Russia, U.S., Brazil) attract bigger sponsors.
Topuria, despite his dominance, hasn’t yet cracked the UFC’s inner financial circle. Makhachev, backed by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s influence and the Eagle FC ecosystem, has been building his brand for years.
UFC Fight Purses: Who Earns More?
According to public Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) and UFC disclosures:
- Ilia Topuria (UFC 298 vs Volkanovski):** $500,000 base + $50,000 win bonus .
*Note: This doesn’t include undisclosed locker-room bonuses, which Dana White reportedly gave him $500,000+ for the upset win .* - Islam Makhachev (UFC 302 vs Volkanovski II):** $500,000 base—but likely earned **$2M+ total** with PPV points and bonuses .
Makhachev has PPV points—a privilege granted only to fighters who consistently drive pay-per-view buys. Topuria hasn’t headlined a PPV yet without co-main support, so he doesn’t qualify.
Endorsements and Brand Deals: The Real Money Maker
This is where the gap widens dramatically.
Islam Makhachev benefits from:
- Strong ties to **Eagle FC**, co-owned by Khabib.
- Major Russian and Middle Eastern sponsorships (e.g., **Gazprom**, **Sberbank**, regional telecoms).
- Global visibility through Khabib’s massive social media reach (70M+ followers).
- Official ambassador roles in Dagestan’s sports initiatives .
Ilia Topuria, while popular in Spain and Georgia, has more limited deals:
- Standard UFC Venum uniform contract.
- Regional Spanish sports brands (e.g., **Decathlon Spain**, **Gymbox**).
- Emerging social media presence (~2M Instagram followers vs. Makhachev’s 8M+) .
As Forbes notes, “The real money in MMA isn’t in fight purses—it’s in building a global personal brand.” Makhachev has that; Topuria is still building it.
The Role of PPV Points and Hidden Bonuses
UFC doesn’t disclose PPV revenue shares, but top champions like Makhachev reportedly earn **$2–4 per PPV buy** after a threshold. For a 600,000-buy event, that’s an extra **$1.2M–$2.4M** .
Topuria hasn’t reached that tier—yet. But if he defends his title against big names like Max Holloway or moves up to lightweight, that could change fast. Dana White has already called him a “future PPV monster” .
Future Financial Outlook: Who Wins Long-Term?
Makhachev’s current lead is clear—but Topuria has explosive growth potential:
- Topuria is younger, speaks multiple languages, and appeals to European and U.S. markets—key for global brands.
- A superfight with Makhachev (though unlikely due to weight classes) would catapult both financially.
- If Topuria stays dominant for 2–3 years, his net worth could easily surpass $10M by 2027.
For now, though, Makhachev remains the wealthier champion—not because he’s better, but because he’s been in the game longer and leveraged his regional and cultural capital brilliantly.
Conclusion: Talent Isn’t Enough—You Need Time
The Topuria vs Makhachev net worth comparison in 2025 isn’t a verdict on skill—it’s a lesson in the business of MMA. Champion status opens doors, but sustained wealth comes from marketability, longevity, and smart brand-building. Topuria has the talent to catch up. But until he headlines PPVs and lands global sponsorships, Makhachev will remain the UFC’s financial heavyweight—even if they never share the Octagon.
Sources
- Times of India. (2025). “Topuria vs Makhachev net worth comparison in 2025.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Nevada Athletic Commission. UFC 298 Purse Report.
- MMA Junkie. (2024). “Dana White reveals Topuria’s secret bonus for Volkanovski win.”
- MMA Fighting. (2024). “Makhachev’s UFC 302 earnings breakdown.”
- Sport24. (2023). “How Makhachev became Dagestan’s sporting ambassador.”
- Social Blade. Instagram follower estimates (Dec 2025).
- Forbes. (2024). “How Much Do UFC Fighters Really Make?” https://www.forbes.com/…