Dricus Du Plessis has etched his name in UFC history as the first South African to become a UFC Champion. His rapid rise has been marked not just by victories inside the octagon but also by a financial leap that mirrors his fighting success. From modest beginnings in South Africa’s MMA circuit to multi-million-dollar paydays as the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, Du Plessis’s story highlights how quickly fortunes can change in the fight business.
This deep dive looks at Du Plessis’s net worth in 2025, a breakdown of his fight purses, his endorsements, and how his earnings compare to other stars in the sport.
Early Career Earnings: Building a Foundation
Like most MMA fighters, Du Plessis started his professional journey with modest paydays.
- In 2013, he debuted in South Africa’s Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC). Fight purses in EFC typically range from $2,000 to $10,000 per bout, with champions earning slightly more.
- By 2015–2017, Du Plessis was headlining events and earning more, but even as a champion, regional promotions could not match UFC money.
- His move to Poland’s Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) boosted his profile and income. As a two-division champion, he likely earned $20,000–$40,000 per fight, still far below UFC levels but significant for international competition.
These years were less about financial gain and more about positioning himself for a UFC call-up.
RIGHT ON THE NUMBER 😤@DricusDuPlessis hits 185lbs for the main event! 🏆
— UFC (@ufc) August 15, 2025
[ #UFC319 | LIVE TOMORROW 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/8a5iOelLUJ
UFC Debut and First Paycheck
Du Plessis signed with the UFC in 2020, making his debut at UFC Fight Island 5 against Markus Perez. Despite being a newcomer, his performance bonus made the night extremely rewarding:
- Base salary: $16,000
- Win bonus: $16,000
- Performance of the Night bonus: $75,000
- Sponsorship (UFC’s Venum deal): $4,000
- Total: $111,000
For comparison, many UFC debutants walk away with $20,000–$40,000, so Du Plessis’s first night highlighted his potential star power.
Climbing the Rankings and Bigger Paydays
By 2022, Du Plessis was fighting higher-profile opponents. His bout against Darren Till at UFC 282 became a turning point.
- Base salary: $50,000
- Win bonus: $50,000
- Fight of the Night bonus: $50,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $4,500
- Total: $154,500
This fight not only boosted his earnings but also solidified him as a top contender.
UFC 297: Championship Breakthrough
Du Plessis’s career-defining moment arrived in January 2024 at UFC 297, when he fought Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship. The fight elevated his financial standing dramatically:
- Base salary: $300,000
- Win bonus: $300,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $32,000
- Total: $632,000
While not in the league of Conor McGregor’s record-breaking purses, this fight established him in the seven-figure-per-fight conversation thanks to the champion’s PPV share.
UFC 305: First Title Defense vs Israel Adesanya
Champions see a major jump in base pay, and Du Plessis’s first title defense against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 reflected that:
- Base salary: $800,000
- Win bonus: $800,000
- PPV share (estimated): $400,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $42,000
- Total: $2.042 million
The victory over one of the UFC’s biggest global stars also increased Du Plessis’s marketability outside the cage.
UFC 312: Record-Breaking Payday
In February 2025, Du Plessis faced Strickland again in a blockbuster UFC 312 rematch. This became the richest fight of his career:
- Base salary: $1,200,000
- Win bonus: $1,200,000
- PPV share estimate: $400,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $42,000
- Total: $3.342 million
At this point, he officially entered the multi-millionaire tier of UFC fighters, alongside champions like Jon Jones, Israel Adesanya, and Kamaru Usman during their peaks.
Sponsorships and Endorsements
Fighter pay in the UFC is boosted significantly by outside endorsements, and Du Plessis has leveraged his South African fanbase and global exposure effectively. His partnerships include:
- Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN) – A long-term partner from his EFC days.
- World Sports Betting – Major South African sports betting company.
- SuperSport – Africa’s largest sports broadcaster.
- Vivify U – Fitness and performance brand.
- Hennies – Lifestyle and apparel brand.
Combined, his sponsorship earnings are estimated to be $500,000–$750,000 annually.
How UFC Fighter Pay Works
To understand Du Plessis’s rise in earnings, it helps to look at the UFC pay structure:
- Base Salary & Win Bonus – Fighters earn a guaranteed purse, with the chance to double it if they win. Champions usually have flat fees with no win bonus.
- Performance/Fight Bonuses – $50,000 awarded for “Performance of the Night” or “Fight of the Night.”
- Sponsorship Money – Controlled by the UFC’s Venum outfitting deal, with payouts ranging from $4,000 (new fighters) to $42,000 (champions).
- Pay-Per-View (PPV) Points – The biggest moneymaker for champions and stars. A percentage of PPV sales can add millions, depending on event buys.
- Endorsements – External sponsorships negotiated outside the UFC.
Comparison: Du Plessis vs Other UFC Stars
- Conor McGregor – Peak earnings of $20–$30 million per fight (due to PPV buys).
- Israel Adesanya – Around $2–$4 million per fight during his title reign.
- Kamaru Usman – Estimated $1.5–$3 million per fight as welterweight champion.
- Jon Jones – Earns $2–$5 million base, with PPV points pushing totals higher.
Du Plessis’s latest earnings place him on par with Adesanya and Usman, though still far below McGregor’s global superstar levels.
Dricus Du Plessis Net Worth in 2025
After calculating fight purses, PPV shares, sponsorships, and endorsements, Dricus Du Plessis’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $3–5 million.
This figure is conservative, given that:
- His UFC 312 paycheck alone was over $3.3 million.
- He continues to collect sponsorship revenue yearly.
- Future title defenses are expected to generate $2–4 million per fight.
If he remains champion and headlines major PPV cards, his net worth could double within the next two years.
How Much Does Du Plessis Make Per Fight?
- Early UFC career (2020–2021): $100K–$150K
- Contender phase (2022): $150K–$250K
- First title win (2024): ~$632K
- Title defenses (2024–2025): $2M–$3.3M
From $16,000 base salaries to million-dollar paydays, Dricus Du Plessis has experienced one of the sharpest financial rises in recent UFC history. His championship reign not only cemented his legacy as South Africa’s first UFC champion but also transformed him into a multi-millionaire athlete.
With his popularity in Africa, growing international profile, and future headlining bouts, Du Plessis is positioned to become one of the highest-earning UFC stars of this generation.
Q: What is Dricus Du Plessis’s net worth in 2025?
Dricus Du Plessis’s net worth in 2025 is estimated between $3 million and $5 million, boosted by multi-million-dollar UFC paydays and endorsements.
Q: How much does Dricus Du Plessis make per fight?
In 2025, Du Plessis earns between $2 million and $3.3 million per fight, depending on his base salary, win bonuses, PPV shares, and sponsorships.
Q: What was Dricus Du Plessis’s biggest UFC payday?
His most lucrative fight to date was at UFC 312 in February 2025, where he earned about $3.34 million for defeating Sean Strickland.
Q: What companies sponsor Dricus Du Plessis?
Du Plessis is sponsored by Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN), World Sports Betting, SuperSport, Vivify U, and Hennies, among others.
Q: How does Dricus Du Plessis’s pay compare to other UFC stars?
Du Plessis’s earnings are now on par with stars like Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman, though still below Conor McGregor’s $20M+ paydays.
