In an unexpected outcome at UFC 305, South African mixed martial artist Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title against Nigerian-born star Israel Adesanya. Despite his victory, Du Plessis earned less from the fight than his opponent, Adesanya, according to multiple reports.
Du Plessis, 30, who was defending his belt for the first time since defeating American fighter Sean Strickland earlier this year, entered the bout with considerable momentum. His successful title defense only added to his growing reputation within the UFC. However, when it came to financial compensation, Adesanya—despite being the losing fighter—walked away with a larger payout. According to The Sportster, Du Plessis was guaranteed $500,000 in base pay, with an additional $42,000 from sponsorship deals. In contrast, Adesanya was guaranteed a higher base pay of $750,000, along with $32,000 in sponsorship earnings.
The discrepancy in earnings did not end there. Both fighters are expected to receive a share of the pay-per-view (PPV) revenue generated by the event. However, Adesanya’s share of the PPV earnings is projected to surpass that of Du Plessis, further increasing the former champion’s total earnings from the fight. The financial dynamics of UFC fights often reflect a combination of a fighter’s marketability, star power, and previous achievements. Adesanya, a former two-time UFC middleweight champion, has a well-established fan base and significant drawing power, which contributed to his higher earnings.
Despite earning less than Adesanya, Du Plessis reportedly made the largest payday of his career, with his total earnings from the fight estimated to be around R19 million (approximately $1.2 million USD).
In related news, Adesanya has publicly commented on his loss to Du Plessis, acknowledging the South African’s dominance in the bout, which ended in the fourth round with a submission victory for Du Plessis. This victory solidified Du Plessis’ position at the top of the UFC middleweight division, even as Adesanya’s financial earnings underscored his enduring status as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
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