Dricus du Plessis has rapidly become one of the biggest names in the UFC, making waves with his dominant performances inside the octagon. From his early days in regional promotions to becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion, his earnings have skyrocketed. But just how much does he make per fight? And what is his net worth in 2025? Let’s break it down.
Early Career: From Local Hero to International Star
Du Plessis began his professional MMA journey in 2013, competing in South Africa’s Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) and later in Poland’s Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW). In these early years, his fight purses were relatively modest, as is the case for most up-and-coming fighters.
However, his dominance in these organizations, where he became a two-division champion, set the stage for his UFC debut in 2020.
UFC Debut and Initial Earnings
When du Plessis stepped into the UFC octagon for the first time in October 2020, he faced Markus Perez. Despite being a newcomer, his earnings were notable for a debutant:
- Base salary: $16,000
- Win bonus: $16,000
- Performance of the Night bonus: $75,000
- Total earnings: $107,000
This fight marked the beginning of his rapid ascent, not just in rankings but also in earnings.
Big Paydays Start Rolling In
As du Plessis climbed the middleweight rankings, his fight purses grew significantly. A key moment came in December 2022, when he fought Darren Till at UFC 282. This was his first high-profile bout, and his paycheck reflected that:
- Base salary: $50,000
- Win bonus: $50,000
- Fight of the Night bonus: $50,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $4,500
- Total earnings: $154,500
By this point, he had established himself as a serious contender in the division.
The Championship Fight: A Life-Changing Paycheck
The biggest moment in du Plessis’s career came in January 2024 at UFC 297, when he fought Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship. This fight not only changed his legacy but also his bank account:
- Base salary: $300,000
- Win bonus: $300,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $32,000
- Total earnings: $632,000
Winning the UFC belt guaranteed him an even bigger payday in his next fight.
UFC 305: The Biggest Payday Yet
Du Plessis’s first title defense at UFC 305 against Israel Adesanya took his earnings to another level:
- Base salary: $800,000
- Win bonus: $800,000
- PPV share estimate: $400,000
- Sponsorship earnings: $42,000
- Total earnings: Approximately $2.042 million
At this point, du Plessis had officially entered the elite bracket of UFC earners.
Additional Income: Sponsorships & Endorsements
Like many UFC stars, du Plessis has capitalized on his growing fame by securing endorsement deals. Some of the brands he has partnered with include:
- Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN)
- World Sports Betting
- SuperSport
- Vivify U
- Hennies
These sponsorships contribute significantly to his overall earnings, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to his income.
Dricus Du Plessis’s Net Worth in 2025
Considering his fight purses, sponsorships, and bonuses, Dricus du Plessis’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. However, this figure is expected to rise rapidly if he continues defending his title and securing high-profile fights.
