Khamzat Chimaev has quickly moved from a rising prospect to a major draw in the UFC, accumulating substantial earnings in a relatively short career. While exact payment details remain closely held by the UFC, available data and credible estimates reveal he has already surpassed $3.6 million in career earnings, a milestone he approaches just before his UFC 319 title fight.
Chimaev’s breakout payday came at UFC 279, where he secured a submission win over Kevin Holland. Public records estimate his total take-home for that event, including base pay and uniform compliance bonuses, at just over $1 million. This marked a turning point in his career as he transitioned from an up-and-comer to a proven main-card star with elevated earning potential.
The next significant payday happened at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, where Chimaev faced Kamaru Usman on a mega-card stage. Though not officially disclosed, estimates suggest both fighters earned around $1.6 million each for that night, reflecting the event’s global reach and premium positioning. Such figures align with the earnings of top fighters headlining major pay-per-view (PPV) events without holding a championship belt.
Additional income has come from performance bonuses and sponsorship deals. For example, Chimaev and Gilbert Burns earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus at UFC 273 after delivering a highly competitive three-round contest. Moreover, Chimaev receives payments from the UFC’s uniform sponsorship program, adding modest but steady supplementary income per fight.
All publicly available data combined suggests that Chimaev’s documented career earnings sit at about $3.6 million. This figure, however, likely underestimates his total income as it excludes undisclosed PPV shares and discretionary bonuses the UFC occasionally awards following major events.
Financial Prospects Ahead of UFC 319
Looking forward to UFC 319, expectations are for Chimaev to secure another seven-figure payday if the card performs on par with recent UFC events and his contract mirrors previous main-event agreements. Although challengers typically receive less lucrative deals compared to titleholders, Chimaev has already demonstrated the ability to surpass the million-dollar mark without holding the belt.
If Chimaev wins at UFC 319 and becomes champion, he is poised to enter a new financial tier. Titleholders often negotiate higher base pays alongside PPV points, which can significantly increase their total earnings. Consequently, post-championship payouts usually eclipse earlier career totals by a wide margin.
Because the UFC keeps many contract details private, public career earnings estimates vary. When relying solely on known payouts, his total is in the mid-seven-figure range. Factoring in industry-standard assumptions about PPV revenue shares and endorsements suggests Chimaev’s actual earnings already reach low-to-mid seven figures, and they are likely to climb sharply after UFC 319.
The available evidence, while incomplete, paints a clear picture: Chimaev’s consistent main-event roles combined with performance bonuses and steady base pay have generated multi-million-dollar earnings. A victory at UFC 319 would not only bolster his status as a top fighter but could also elevate his financial rewards into a significantly higher bracket, reflecting his rising prominence within the UFC.