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The UFC 319 main event at the United Center in Chicago on August 16 delivered everything fight fans hoped for — a fierce middleweight title showdown between reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and rising star Khamzat Chimaev. While the Octagon battle ended with Chimaev crowned as the new middleweight champion, the financial windfall for both fighters was equally headline-worthy.
From base purses to pay-per-view (PPV) shares and performance bonuses, UFC 319 showcased just how lucrative the sport has become at the highest level. Here’s a complete breakdown of what both fighters pocketed from the blockbuster event.
Dricus Du Plessis’ UFC 319 earnings
As the defending champion, Du Plessis entered the event with a sizable guaranteed purse. Despite losing his belt, he still left Chicago with a massive paycheck.
Base Purse: $1 million, secured for defending his title.
PPV and Promotional Bonuses: Estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million, owing to his championship status and PPV points.
Win Bonus: $500,000 potential — not applicable due to his defeat.
In total, Dricus Du Plessis’ estimated payout stood at around $3 million, continuing his run as one of the UFC’s top earners. To put it in perspective, he had previously banked $3.34 million at UFC 312 against Sean Strickland and $1.9 million at UFC 305 in his clash with Israel Adesanya.
Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 earnings
The night belonged to Khamzat Chimaev, who not only dethroned Du Plessis but also secured the biggest payday of his career.
Base Purse: $750,000, as the challenger.
Win Bonus: $500,000 for capturing the title.
PPV Shares: Estimated between $750,000 and $1 million, reflecting the high anticipation surrounding the fight.
Performance Bonus: $50,000 for earning “Performance of the Night.”
Overall, Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 earnings reached an estimated $1.8 million to $2 million, a career-high that eclipsed his previous haul of roughly $1 million against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
Other Notable UFC 319 Payouts
The card was lucrative for several other fighters as well:
Lerone Murphy: Around $300,000 after a knockout win over Aaron Pico.
Aaron Pico: Between $80,000 and $120,000 in his UFC debut.
Carlos Prates: Estimated $400,000–$450,000 for his KO victory over Geoff Neal.
Geoff Neal: Around $200,000 despite the loss.
Compliance pay also padded earnings, with Dricus Du Plessis receiving $42,000 and Khamzat Chimaev $32,000 for fulfilling fight week obligations. Veterans Jessica Andrade and Edson Barboza added $21,000 each from the same program.
While Du Plessis may have lost his belt, UFC 319 underscored the financial rewards awaiting elite-level fighters. For Chimaev, this night cemented not only his status as the middleweight king but also as one of the UFC’s most bankable stars.
With PPV numbers still being tallied, the final totals may grow even higher — but one thing is certain: UFC 319 was a career-defining night both inside and outside the cage.
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