UFC 312, held on February 8, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, delivered a night of thrilling fights and substantial financial rewards for its athletes. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the fighters’ performances and their estimated earnings:
Main Event: Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland
In a highly anticipated rematch, Dricus du Plessis defended his middleweight title against Sean Strickland, securing a unanimous decision victory after five intense rounds. For his efforts, du Plessis earned an estimated base salary of $1.2 million. Assuming the event garnered around 500,000 pay-per-view buys, his PPV share would add approximately $400,000, bringing his total earnings to about $1.6 million, excluding sponsorships.
Sean Strickland, the challenger, took home a base salary of $1 million, with an additional $32,000 from sponsorships, totaling approximately $1.03 million.
Co-Main Event: Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez
Zhang Weili successfully defended her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez, showcasing her dominance throughout the bout. Weili’s base salary was reported at $800,000. With the assumed PPV buys, her share would be around $400,000, and combined with $42,000 in sponsorships, her total earnings for the night are estimated at $1.242 million.
Tatiana Suarez, despite a valiant effort, earned a base salary of $300,000, plus $32,000 in sponsorships, totaling $332,000.
Notable Performances and Bonuses
The event also highlighted impressive debuts and performances:
- Tallison Teixeira: In his UFC debut, Teixeira delivered a swift 35-second TKO victory over Justin Tafa. For this performance, he received a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. mmafighting.com
- Quillan Salkilld: Salkilld made a remarkable entrance with a 19-second knockout against Anshul Jubli, earning him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. mmafighting.com
- Rongzhu vs. Kody Steele: Their thrilling bout was awarded Fight of the Night, with both fighters receiving a $50,000 bonus.
Additional Fighter Payouts
While exact figures for all fighters aren’t publicly disclosed, estimates based on previous contracts and performances suggest the following:
- Justin Tafa: Reportedly earns a guaranteed amount of around $38,000 per fight, with potential increases through bonuses. essentiallysports.com
- Jake Matthews: For his victory over Andre Fialho, Matthews received a guaranteed pay of $48,000, plus an additional $48,000 win bonus and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, totaling $146,000.
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