Pantoja and Van Top UFC 331 Payrolls in Los Angeles

The air in Los Angeles carries the weight of anticipation as the California State Athletic Commission publishes the salary disclosures for UFC 331. Two names anchor the top of the list, their figures stark against the lower tiers of the card. Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van will collect the largest paydays, a testament to their status at the pinnacle of the flyweight division. The numbers are not merely data points; they represent the economic gravity of the sport, pulling the spotlight to the center stage of the weekend's action.

Pantoja, the former champion, has been guaranteed a flat $650,000. This sum is non-negotiable, untethered from the outcome of the fight. He seeks to reclaim the 125-pound belt, a title stripped from him by a freak injury in his last appearance. His opponent, Joshua Van, the current holder, will receive a flat fee of $500,000. Both fighters are thus insulated from the financial risk of defeat, their wealth secured before the first bell rings. The stakes are high, but the purse is guaranteed.

Co-main event pay splits

Below the main event, the financial landscape shifts. Arman Tsarukyan, the lightweight contender who dismantled Mauricio Ruffy with a brutal knockout, will collect a flat $350,000. Unlike Pantoja and Van, Tsarukyan’s pay does not include a win bonus. Ruffy, on the other hand, has a different structure. He earned $110,000 to show up, with an additional $110,000 contingent on victory. Since he lost, that second half remains unclaimed. The contrast is sharp: one fighter is paid for presence, the other for performance.

The rest of the card reveals a wide spectrum of earnings. Patricio "Pitbull" Pitbull and Marlon "Chito" Vera lead the mid-tier, each set to make $400,000 if they win, with $200,000 guaranteed. Gable Steveson, the heavyweight, will receive $160,000. At the bottom of the scale, Joo Sang Yoo will collect $12,000, a fraction of the top earners. The spread is vast, reflecting the different levels of fame and market value within the organization.

Full roster salary breakdown

According to GN sports/mma (en-US), the complete list of fighters and their respective pay structures is as follows. Alexandre Pantoja: $650,000, no win bonus. Joshua Van: $500,000, no win bonus. Arman Tsarukyan: $350,000, no win bonus. Mauricio Ruffy: $110,000 to show, $110,000 to win. Patricio Pitbull: $400,000 ($200,000 to show, $200,000 to win). Doo Ho Choi: $85,000. Sean Sharaf: $60,000 ($30,000 to show, $30,000 to win). Gable Steveson: $160,000. Iwo Baraniewski: $50,000. Alonzo Menifield: $310,000 ($155,000 to show, $155,000 to win). Robelis Despaigne: $200,000 ($100,000 to show, $100,000 to win). Tai Tuivasa: $350,000. Giga Chikadze: $93,000. Joanderson Brito: $158,000 ($79,000 to show, $79,000 to win). Casey O'Neill: $132,000 ($66,000 to show, $66,000 to win). Eduarda Moura: $33,000. Edmen Shahbazyan: $250,000 ($125,000 to show, $125,000 to win). Brunno Ferreira: $95,000. Ryan Gandra: $28,000 ($14,000 to show, $14,000 to win). Ozzy Diaz: $25,000. Michael Aswell: $60,000 ($30,000 to show, $30,000 to win). Joo Sang Yoo: $12,000. Marlon "Chito" Vera: $400,000 ($200,000 to show, $200,000 to win). Charles Jourdain: $108,000.

These figures, released by the commission, provide a transparent look into the economics of mixed martial arts. They highlight the gap between the elite and the challengers, a dynamic that drives the narrative of every card. As the fighters step into the octagon, these numbers hang in the background, a silent testament to the value placed on each punch, each takedown, each submission. The fight is about more than victory; it is about securing one's place in the hierarchy.