Khabib Nurmagomedov earned a significantly larger base paycheck for his UFC 242 fight against Dustin Poirier than he did for his historic UFC 229 bout with Conor McGregor. This difference highlights how the Dustin Poirier Khabib Nurmagomedov payday surpassed his previous earnings, despite the McGregor clash being the most successful pay-per-view event ever.
Nurmagomedov’s Earnings Surpassed UFC 229 Following Victory Over Poirier
Khabib Nurmagomedov is best remembered for his undefeated 29-0 record, with the UFC 229 bout against Conor McGregor standing out as a defining moment. That 2018 fight ended with Nurmagomedov submitting McGregor before a post-fight altercation erupted, but the event set a UFC pay-per-view record with 2.4 million buys. Despite the massive audience and significance, Nurmagomedov’s base purse from UFC 229 was exceeded in his next title defense against Dustin Poirier in September 2019.
After serving a suspension and paying fines following his actions at UFC 229, Nurmagomedov returned to defend his lightweight title against Poirier, who came in as the interim champion after defeating Max Holloway. The Dagestani fighter once again displayed dominant skills, finishing Poirier with a submission in the third round at UFC 242.
Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, revealed the financial details of the fight’s payout, stating that the fighter earned more than three times the $2 million base purse from his McGregor fight.
“We will make three to three and a half (times) more (than UFC 229),”
—Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father
“We aren’t fighting for a small change – we know what we (are) worth. It is not enough for us, because we are the best now. We have beaten the best, and we are ready to fight the best.”
—Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father
“We are popular – we know that,”
he added.
“When we enter the arena, you will see the reaction to us, and reaction to Poirier.”
—Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father
How a Post-Fight Brawl Cut Into Nurmagomedov’s UFC 229 Earnings
While the McGregor fight drew enormous attention and cash flow for the UFC, Nurmagomedov’s earnings were reduced by penalties stemming from a post-fight brawl. Following his jump over the cage and attack on McGregor’s corner team, the Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Nurmagomedov $500,000 and issued him a nine-month suspension.
This fine equated to losing about a quarter of his UFC 229 base purse, which originally stood at $2 million. Meanwhile, McGregor was fined only $50,000 for his involvement in the melee. Nurmagomedov commented on the fine and suspension with a brief post on the social media platform X, stating, “Politics forever.”
In contrast, the purse for the UFC 242 fight against Dustin Poirier reflected both his rising status and the clean nature of the bout, translating to a substantially higher base payment for Khabib.
The Financial and Career Impact of Nurmagomedov’s Earnings Increase
Nurmagomedov’s payday growth after defeating Dustin Poirier illustrates his value and prominence in MMA at the time. Surpassing his highest-ever UFC paycheck despite UFC 229’s record-setting viewership shows how fighter compensation can grow independently of event size when performance and status align.
Moreover, this financial leap came after significant setbacks due to fines and suspensions, underscoring Nurmagomedov’s resilience and marketability. His continued success, including a victory over the popular interim champion Poirier, solidified his reputation as the best lightweight fighter globally.
Looking ahead, UFC 318 will feature Max Holloway facing Dustin Poirier in Poirier’s retirement fight, adding further intrigue to the lightweight division’s ongoing storyline and reminding fans of the fighters involved in these pivotal moments.