We’ve all heard the big fight pay-per-view numbers after every UFC show. But not very many people actually understand how these fighters are getting paid. Once you get the hang of it, the UFC salary structure is not very different in principle from other sports. But for the sake of clarity, we’ll take our time to illustrate how and how much UFC fighters get paid. Since this is a highly debated topic, we’ll take it basics after basics.
Combat sports have been one of those extensive changes from yesteryears, whether it is MMA or boxing. What used to be a ‘man-to-man’ competition from town square crowds to a multi-million event attracting global interest across the world, gives wide-ranging discourses, inclusive of how both MMA and Boxing have fared, technological developments impacting practice, and future projections for both combative events.
In a sport as fast-paced and with potentially dire consequences for slow reactions, there have been some blisteringly fast knockouts. These knockouts are sure to be immortalized in MMA history as great examples of how the sport can deliver fantastic and unexpected moments.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is rarely boring, but sometimes it can deliver absolutely jaw-dropping moments. A great example of such moments is when matches ended in knockouts within seconds. While the enjoyment can be bittersweet if you were hoping to watch a long fight, seeing something so spectacular and unexpected is more than worth it. Lightning-fast knockouts become part of a fighter’s story and forever change how people feel about them and how betting platforms handle their odds. This article will look at five of the fastest knockouts that MMA has seen to date, in no particular order.
UFC 311 takes place on Saturday, January 18th at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, US. The main card broadcast begins at 10 PM EST live on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View. Prelims can be viewed on ESPN+ at 8 PM EST, and the early prelims start at 6 PM EST on UFC Fight Pass.
Main Event: UFC Lightweight Championship (155)
(C) [#1/#2DD/#1P4P]Islam Makhachev(26-1-0, -412) vs [#2] Arman Tsarukyan (22-3-0, +309)
Just in time for UFC 311…. #1 is surprising, but this is entirely about longevity at or near the top of the division.
Not a great start to 2025. Let’s try again…
Fights considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:
Billed as “Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2”, UFC 311 promises to be an event that lives up to the hype that fight fans have had ever since it was announced.
Set to take place in Inglewood, California, at the Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025, MMA enthusiasts have arguably been waiting years to see the rematch take place between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. The duo faced off against each other in a contest at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleynik in April 2019, where Makhachev was victorious by unanimous decision.
It was a fight that had attracted plenty of attention when it took place almost six years ago and is one that is going to intrigue even more this time around. Bettors are going to be keen on what the fight has to offer, as those who participate in UFC betting activities will find it difficult to find the flight hard to ignore. At the same time, it is a card that is stacked with talent, thus presenting several wagering opportunities that can help enhance the overall entertainment that can be obtained when the athletes take to the Octagon.
There had been concerns that this fight would have to be postponed due to the current wildfires that are being experienced in California. However, the venue has already confirmed that they would be in a position to keep the event going ahead, which is going to have pleased fans and bettors alike.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has always been about pushing boundaries. From gritty backyard matches to arenas packed with roaring fans, the sport has come a long way. But here’s the thing—what you see in the octagon is just the tip of the iceberg.
Behind every perfectly timed punch and slick submission is a mountain of preparation, and lately, that preparation has evolved in ways we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. Back then, fighters relied on old-school grit: endless sparring, relentless cardio, and, let’s be honest, a lot of guesswork.
Two MMA fighters in a ring waiting to hear the result of the fight – Free Stock Image
MMA is one of the most exciting sports out there, so it is no surprise it draws in countless sports bettors placing wagers on their favorite fighters. However, the MMA sports betting world is currently undergoing a transformational era, with crypto elevating MMA betting to new heights. Many sports bettors often have concerns about the security, accessibility, and transparency of placing sports bets, but advancements in blockchain technology are addressing these issues as crypto wagers have created an environment that is safer, faster, more accessible, and more transparent than ever before for MMA fans.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) has emerged as one of the most thrilling and unpredictable sports globally. The adrenaline-pumping action of the octagon, combined with the strategic element of sports betting, has taken the fan experience to new heights. With mobile technology, this excitement is now accessible anytime, anywhere, with many platforms even offering integrated casino games.
George Libarian at the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship (JJIF) in Crete, Greece
George Libarian was born in Canada and raised in Southeast Michigan, USA. His family immigrated from the Middle East. At the age of six, his passion for martial arts began. This would become a life journey. Currently, George is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach at the Cavalo Martial Arts Academy in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. He is an active competitor in the Master’s divisions of JJIF and IBJJF, and plans to compete in the ADCC in the near future.
MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.
Betting on the favorite. It’s sensible. It also doesn’t bring the same level of excitement compared to betting on the underdog.
Yes, favorites naturally dominate the odds, but it’s not uncommon for underdogs to pull off stunning upsets. This means betting on fighters with longer odds can be one of the most rewarding strategies for MMA fans and bettors alike.
However, you cannot be too haphazard when betting on fighters with longer odds. It requires strategy and knowledge. To help, this guide outlines key strategies to maximize your chances of success when wagering on MMA underdogs.
And we’re back…. I’m going to wipe the slate clean again, but at the end of the last run in 2024, we were in the green for both Underdog and Safe picks.
To be clear, the goal in the Underdog parlay is to beat the odds, not necessarily to turn a profit. The goal in the Safe parlay is not only to beat the odds, but also to make a profit.
Though one of our last parlays got marred by a bad weight miss, we’re going to continue with the same rules, but I’m thinking of making the bet amount variable in the future…
Women Strawweight (115)
[#5] Amanda Ribas (13-5-0, -195) vs. [#7] Mackenzie Dern (14-5-0, +161)
Last 3 Fights: Amanda Ribas (1-2-0)
2024-03-23: L vs. [#6FLY] Rose Namajunas (13-7-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
2023-11-18: W vs. [#31SW] Luana Pinheiro (11-4-0) via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) in 3:53 of round 3
2023-06-24: L vs. [#7FLY] Maycee Barber (14-2-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 3:42 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Mackenzie Dern (1-2-0)
2024-08-03: W vs. [#13SW] Lupita Godinez (12-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2024-02-17: L vs. [#4SW] Amanda Lemos (14-4-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-11-11: L vs. [#12FLY] Jessica Andrade (26-13-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:15 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Amanda Ribas | -195 | 63.30% | |
| Elo K170 | Mackenzie Dern | 1628.42 | +27.49 | 53.95% |
| Elo Modified | Mackenzie Dern | 1629.33 | +16.22 | 52.33% |
| Glicko-1 | Mackenzie Dern | 1607.13 | +6.86 | 50.99% |
| WHR | Amanda Ribas | 1609.18 | +45.71 | 56.54% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Amanda Ribas 294, Mackenzie Dern 161
Previous Match-up Record: Amanda Ribas leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#59] Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-8-0, -138) vs. [#65] Carlston Harris (19-6-0, +115)
Last 3 Fights: Santiago Ponzinibbio (1-2-0)
2024-07-13: L vs. [#37WW] Muslim Salikhov (21-5-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2023-04-08: L vs. [#18MW] Kevin Holland (26-12-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:16 of round 3
2022-12-10: W vs. [#54WW] Alex Morono (24-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:29 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Carlston Harris (2-1-0)
2024-05-18: L vs. [#35WW] Kalinn Williams (15-3-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:30 of round 1
2023-08-05: W vs. [#63WW] Jeremiah Wells (12-4-1) via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 1:50 of round 3
2023-03-11: W vs. [#88WW] Jared Gooden (23-10-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Santiago Ponzinibbio | -138 | 55.48% | |
| Elo K170 | Carlston Harris | 1769.20 | +84.12 | 61.87% |
| Elo Modified | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 1801.41 | +25.02 | 53.59% |
| Glicko-1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 1859.60 | +55.66 | 57.94% |
| WHR | Carlston Harris | 1772.13 | +59.72 | 58.51% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Santiago Ponzinibbio 182, Carlston Harris 238
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Carlston Harris leads 1-0
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Middleweight (185)
[#73] Cesar Almeida (6-1-0, -261) vs. [#84] Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6-0, +210)
Last 3 Fights: Cesar Almeida (2-1-0)
2024-10-05: W vs. [#88MW] Ihor Potieria (25-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2024-06-01: L vs. [#59MW] Roman Kopylov (13-3-0) via SD (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
2024-04-06: W vs. [#176MW] Dylan Budka (7-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:13 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Abdul Razak Alhassan (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2024-07-13: NC vs. [#96MW] Cody Brundage (10-6-0)
2023-10-07: L vs. [#22MW] Joe Pyfer (13-3-0) via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 2:05 of round 2
2023-01-14: W vs. [#149MW] Claudio Ribeiro (12-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:28 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Cesar Almeida | -261 | 69.14% | |
| Elo K170 | Cesar Almeida | 1529.56 | +48.53 | 56.94% |
| Elo Modified | Cesar Almeida | 1614.28 | +58.79 | 58.38% |
| Glicko-1 | Cesar Almeida | 1640.38 | +49.78 | 57.12% |
| WHR | Cesar Almeida | 1692.21 | +122.12 | 66.89% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cesar Almeida 98, Abdul Razak Alhassan 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Keep Reading
[#302 WW] 
Thomas Gantt (9-0, 1 NC) is a 31-year old professional MMA athelete, fighting out of North Carolina. He is also the recipient of the 2024 FightMatrix.com rookie of the year award. The primary reason for Gantt claiming this award is his incredible schedule in his first year as a pro. He has fought in nine professional bouts in 2024, winning eight of them, and receiving one No Contest due to an unintentional knee to the head of a downed opponent. Including his three amateur fights in the same year before beginning his pro career, Gantt has fought a total of twelve times in a calendar year. He has already fought and won once in 2025, and we are only 6 days into the year! Keep reading to learn more about Tommy Gantt and his journey.
