Set to challenge for vacant lightweight spoils at UFC 317 this weekend, it seems both Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are in for a huge payday.
Topuria actively returns to lightweight, challenging former champion Oliveira for the title vacated by Islam Makhachev.
And in the night’s co-main event, the men’s flyweight crown is up for grabs. Dominant gold holder Alexandre Pantoja will return in a defense against Kiwi puncher Kai Kara-France. On a card littered with some sizeable talent, let’s take a look at what the big players are expected to make come Saturday night in Las Vegas.
How much could Topuria and Oliveira make at UFC 317?
Sidelined since October, ex-featherweight champion Topuria landed a sizeable $3.9 million fee for his win over Max Holloway, according to reports.
Winning the belt against Australian star Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024, Topuria is said to have taken home $482,000 for his win over the Perth technician.
Himself out of action since November, former champion Oliveira would reportedly net a flat $1 million purse for his rematch win over Missouri veteran Michael Chandler at UFC 309.
Fighting for vacant gold against Islam Makhachev in 2022, Oliveira is reported to have scored an impressive $1.7 million despite the loss against the Russian. Against Topuria this weekend, he can likely expect a similar fee from the Octagon leader.
Pantoja’s payout opposite Kara-France
Defending his belt against Japanese star Kai Asakura back in December 2024, as per reports, Pantoja took a cool $2 million paycheck for his win over the promotional newcomer.
Kai Kara-France earned a title fight return at UFC 305, dominating Steve Erceg with a first-round KO. Securing $300,000, Kara-France anticipates a bigger payday in his expected championship rematch against Pantoja.
Also on the main card is a showdown between stalwart lightweights, Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano, in a rescheduled pairing.
Dariush is receiving his full fight purse despite the fallout of his fight with Moicano back in January of this year. The Iranian has landed notable sums in the past, however. According to reports, the contender landed $521,000 for his main event with Arman Tsarukyan back in 2023. This, despite his first-round knockout loss.
Brazilian Moicano faced off with Makhachev in a short-notice title fight at UFC 311 earlier this year. He lost in the first round, to a D’Arce choke submission. But he is still said to have made a cool $250,000 for his efforts against the Russian kingpin.
Flyweight star Brandon Royval is set for another high-profile clash against Joshua Van this weekend. Last time, he pocketed a notable $197,000 for his title loss against Pantoja at UFC 296.
Making his own quickfire return against a top-contender at UFC 317, surging contender Van replaces an injury-stricken Manel Kape. Fresh from a knockout win over Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC 316 just earlier this month. For that win, Van reportedly earned $150,000, combined with a $75,000 show and subsequent win bonus.
