Dricus du Plessis‘s rise from a regional fighter to the UFC middleweight champion has significantly boosted his financial standing, marking a remarkable increase in his Dricus du Plessis net worth. His growing success in the octagon, combined with lucrative endorsements, has elevated him into the multimillion-dollar range as of 2025.
Insights from Pay Trackers Highlight du Plessis’s Earnings Growth
Public pay records from his championship fight at UFC 297 reveal du Plessis earned an estimated $532,000 for the event, excluding any pay-per-view (PPV) shares. This payout included a $32,000 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance bonus, while other sources place his base purse around $350,000. These figures correspond with typical UFC champion pay scales, which begin to increase substantially after acquiring a title and headlining prominent cards.
His first title defense against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth represented a major payday. Estimates from documented payout tables suggest du Plessis made nearly $1.94 million for that event. Additional reports noted a base pay near $500,000, though PPV revenue details remained undisclosed. Prior to winning the title, du Plessis’s career earnings were below $1 million, a standard range for contenders without access to PPV shares. The championship win abruptly transformed his earnings profile.
How UFC Champions Maximize Their Paydays
UFC champions like du Plessis benefit most from two key factors: earnings from PPV shares and engaging in high-profile bouts against top-tier opponents. His title-winning night at UFC 297 and subsequent defense against Adesanya fit this pattern perfectly. Although the UFC does not publicly reveal PPV revenue splits, reliable sources indicate a consistent compensation structure involving a base purse, performance bonuses, compliance payments, discretionary awards, and PPV shares reserved for champions and marquee fighters.
When events exceed expectations in viewership and sales, the PPV revenue component can often surpass the disclosed base pay by a significant margin, causing estimates of champion night earnings to range within the high six to seven-figure territory. This framework explains how du Plessis’s reported payouts align with typical UFC champion compensation growth during major events.
Endorsement Deals Boosting du Plessis’s Financial Profile in 2025
Outside the octagon, du Plessis’s marketability has soared alongside his championship status. In early 2025, he was named a global ambassador for a prominent betting company, although the terms of this deal remain confidential. Additionally, du Plessis has partnered with sports nutrition and wagering brands, securing sponsorships that are estimated to contribute six-figure sums annually. These endorsements provide steady income between fights, enhancing his overall financial standing.
As the only UFC star based in South Africa, Africa’s largest economy, du Plessis attracts numerous sponsorship opportunities within his home country, which he openly represents with pride. This local backing complements his international appeal, broadening his commercial opportunities.
Collectively, these elements suggest du Plessis’s net worth was around $1 to $2 million during his early 2024 title breakthrough. By 2025, after several successful title defenses and the addition of sponsorship deals, his net worth likely advanced into the low to mid single-digit millions. Variations in estimates stem from differences in assumed PPV earnings and private contract terms that remain undisclosed.
du Plessis’s Growing Status Among UFC Elites
Now firmly established in the UFC’s millionaire echelon, Dricus du Plessis’s financial and professional prospects continue to expand. Each marquee fight he headlines raises his earning ceiling and cements his place in the sport’s upper ranks. If he matches up against prominent fighters such as Khamzat Chimaev and secures decisive wins, du Plessis will enter even greater conversations about all-time greats and global superstars, further boosting both his career and net worth.