Ben Askren is an American former Olympic wrestler, Bellator & ONE Welterweight Champion, and UFC fighter, known for his unorthodox style and tough-as-nails approach. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $1 million, earned through MMA fight purses, Olympic accolades, and his post-retirement roles as a commentator and podcast host.

After entering MMA in 2009, Askren quickly rose to dominance in Bellator and ONE Championship, becoming a celebrated champion. His UFC tenure brought high-profile bouts, including a dramatic debut win over Robbie Lawler and a five-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal.

🏆 Sources of Income

1. MMA Fight Purses
   — Watched by fans worldwide, Askren earned substantial purses in Bellator/ONE.
2. UFC Tenure
   — His UFC debut and follow-up matches added hundreds of thousands to his earnings.
3. Boxing Exhibition
   — Faced Jake Paul in 2021, drawing 500,000 PPV buys and earning a guaranteed base purse of ~$500K.
4. Wrestling & Podcasting
   — Post-retirement, Askren transitioned to commentary and podcast roles, contributing to his income .

📈 Net Worth Growth Over Time

• 2021: Approximately $500,000 following MMA retirement and boxing debut
• 2025: Approximately $1 million, reflecting steady growth via commentary and media efforts

💼 Assets & Lifestyle

Askren is known for maintaining a modest lifestyle. He lives with his family in Wisconsin and dedicates his time to commentary, family life, podcasts, and coaching youth wrestling—an investment in community rather than flashy assets.

Justin Gaethje, famously nicknamed “The Highlight,” is one of the UFC’s most electrifying fighters — and one of its biggest fan favorites. Known for his fearless brawling style, knockout power, and must-watch wars, Gaethje has not only thrilled crowds but also stacked up a solid fortune along the way.

As of 2025, Justin Gaethje’s estimated net worth is about $6 million, built on big fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorships, and a reputation as a guaranteed showstopper every time he steps into the Octagon.

Early Life and Background

Born Justin Ray Gaethje on November 14, 1988, in Safford, Arizona, Gaethje grew up wrestling, inspired by his father’s blue-collar work ethic. He was an NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Northern Colorado before diving into MMA — and quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive, no-backward-steps style.

Career Highlights

Before joining the UFC, Gaethje dominated the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) as its Lightweight Champion, defending his belt multiple times with highlight-reel knockouts.

Since his UFC debut in 2017, Gaethje has been in countless Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bouts — earning fans’ respect for his willingness to trade punches until someone drops.

His resume includes epic showdowns with top names like Dustin Poirier, Eddie Alvarez, Tony Ferguson, Charles Oliveira, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. He also captured the UFC Interim Lightweight Title in 2020 after an unforgettable beatdown of Tony Ferguson.

Sources of Income

Justin Gaethje’s $6 million fortune has been fueled by multiple revenue streams:

• Fight Purses: Main event fights can earn Gaethje anywhere from $200,000 to over $500,000 per bout, not including win bonuses.
• Performance Bonuses: No one cashes UFC bonuses like Gaethje — he’s banked over a dozen Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night checks, each worth around $50,000.
• Pay-Per-View Shares: As a headliner, he earns a piece of PPV revenue for major events.
• Endorsements: Gaethje works with fight gear brands and supplements companies, adding extra income.

Net Worth Growth Over the Years

Known for putting on some of UFC’s most thrilling fights, Gaethje’s wallet grows with every war he wages:

• 2021: $3 million
• 2023: $5 million
• 2025: $6 million

Assets and Lifestyle

Despite his reputation as a wild brawler inside the cage, Gaethje lives a surprisingly laid-back life outside it. He still calls Arizona home and is close to his family. He’s proud of his blue-collar roots and often says he’s saving smartly for life after fighting.

Fans love him because he’s real — a humble guy who prefers fishing trips and dirt bikes over flashy cars and jewelry.

FAQs

Is Justin Gaethje a millionaire?
Yes — as of 2025, Justin Gaethje is worth an estimated $6 million, earned through UFC fights, bonuses, and sponsorships.

How does Justin Gaethje make money?
Primarily through UFC fight purses, big bonuses for thrilling performances, a cut of pay-per-view sales, and brand deals.

Does Justin Gaethje still fight?
Absolutely! The Highlight is still active in the UFC, always hunting for the next big knockout and maybe another shot at lightweight gold.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, known to the world as “The Eagle,” is one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history — but his legacy goes far beyond just wins and title belts. With an unmatched 29-0 professional record and a post-retirement business empire, Khabib’s estimated net worth in 2025 stands at approximately $45 million, according to multiple financial and MMA industry reports.

Born in Dagestan, Russia, Khabib grew up wrestling bears — quite literally. His childhood videos became viral symbols of the relentless discipline and toughness he would later bring into the UFC. He made his professional MMA debut in 2008, but it wasn’t until he entered the UFC in 2012 that the world began to take serious notice.

Khabib’s rise was meteoric. His grappling was suffocating, his conditioning unmatched, and his fight IQ among the best the sport has ever seen. He won the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2018 by defeating Al Iaquinta and then defended it against top-tier opponents including Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje — all fights that brought in millions in pay-per-view revenue and boosted his fight purses to new heights.

At his peak, Khabib was earning $6–10 million per fight, including bonuses, PPV shares, and sponsorships. The fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 229 remains one of the biggest financial nights in UFC history, generating over 2.4 million PPV buys. Khabib’s cut from that night alone is estimated to have been over $10 million.

But what makes Khabib’s financial story remarkable is how he transitioned out of fighting while his value kept climbing. After retiring undefeated in 2020 following the emotional victory over Gaethje — a fight dedicated to his late father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov — Khabib shifted focus to business and coaching.

He launched Eagle FC, his own MMA promotion company, which has already signed fighters from around the world and is expanding globally. He also invested in fitness gyms, nutrition brands, and real estate, primarily in the UAE and Russia. Additionally, Khabib’s endorsement deals with Reebok, Toyota, Gorilla Energy Drink, and others continue to bring in sizable revenue.

As a coach and mentor, Khabib now trains rising UFC stars, including Islam Makhachev, who many believe will carry on his legacy. Despite stepping away from competition, his presence in the MMA world remains as influential as ever.

With his businesses thriving and his name still carrying enormous brand power, Khabib Nurmagomedov has become a rare example of an athlete who walked away at the top — and only grew more valuable.