Shocking UFC 319 Payouts – du Plessis Makes More Than Chimaev

UFC 319 delivered an unforgettable night at the United Center in Chicago, as more than 20,000 fans packed the arena to witness a blockbuster card headlined by a middleweight title clash between reigning champion Dricus du Plessis and unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev.

The event was billed as one of the biggest cards of the year, featuring a lineup stacked with elite talent, rising prospects, and legendary names. But beyond the fights themselves, UFC 319 drew attention for the staggering fighter payouts, with du Plessis and Chimaev leading the way in career-high earnings.

Khamzat Chimaev Dominates Dricus du Plessis

Heading into UFC 319, both fighters were undefeated inside the Octagon. South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis had compiled a flawless 8-0 UFC record, cementing his reputation as a gritty and dangerous champion. On the other side stood Khamzat Chimaev, the Russian-Chechen powerhouse who entered the fight with a spotless 14-0 MMA record and a reputation for dismantling opponents with a blend of wrestling pressure and vicious ground-and-pound.

Despite being the defending champion, Du Plessis entered as the underdog against Chimaev’s suffocating grappling style. The fight quickly confirmed why oddsmakers favored “Borz.” Within seconds, Chimaev shot for a takedown and forced Du Plessis onto the canvas. What followed was a 25-minute masterclass in control and dominance.

Chimaev racked up an incredible 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time, securing 12 takedowns across five rounds. He repeatedly trapped Du Plessis in the crucifix position, raining down punches and elbows while keeping the champion completely neutralized.

By the final horn, Chimaev had landed an astonishing 529 total strikes while absorbing just 45 in return. The judges scored the bout 50-44 unanimously, with many observers — including UFC CEO Dana White — suggesting the fight could have been scored even wider. Chimaev left Chicago not only as the new UFC middleweight champion, but also with a career-high purse and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

Du Plessis’ Toughest Night in the Octagon

For Du Plessis, UFC 319 was a bitter pill to swallow. The South African had built his career on toughness and unrelenting pressure, but he found himself completely overwhelmed by Chimaev’s pace and physicality. Despite his best efforts, Du Plessis was unable to mount any sustained offense, making this defeat one of the most one-sided title fights in recent UFC history.

Still, Du Plessis walks away with a massive payday. According to estimates, the former champion earned $3,800,000 for his efforts, his highest UFC salary to date. That figure, while bittersweet, underscores the financial rewards that come with headlining a pay-per-view event of this magnitude.

UFC 319 Main Event Payouts

• Dricus du Plessis – $3,800,000

• Khamzat Chimaev – $2,680,000 (+ $50,000 bonus)

Both men now hold the two highest payouts of their careers, with Chimaev’s victory cementing his status as one of the UFC’s biggest stars moving forward.

Co-Main Event: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico

The co-main event of UFC 319 brought fireworks as undefeated British contender Lerone Murphy welcomed former Bellator standout Aaron Pico to the UFC. The matchup was seen as a test for Murphy and a chance for Pico to prove himself against one of the UFC’s most promising featherweights.

Murphy delivered in spectacular fashion. In the second round, he connected with a perfectly timed spinning back elbow, knocking Pico out cold and sending a statement to the entire featherweight division. The win not only preserved Murphy’s unbeaten record, but also likely positioned him as the next challenger for Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title.

Murphy’s victory earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and an estimated payout of $1,270,000, the highest of his career. Pico, despite the loss, secured a solid purse of $715,000, reflecting the UFC’s investment in his long-term potential.

Other Main Card Highlights

UFC 319 wasn’t just about the two top fights. The entire main card delivered memorable finishes and big paydays:

• Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal (Welterweight): Prates stunned fans with a spinning back elbow knockout of Neal with just one second left in the first round. The Brazilian earned a $50,000 Performance bonus, bringing his total payout to $131,000, while Neal pocketed $211,000.

• Michael “Venom” Page vs. Jared Cannonier (Middleweight): The clash of veterans saw Page edge out Cannonier in a striking battle. Page earned $410,000, while Cannonier received $371,000.

• Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura (Flyweight): In the main card opener, Elliott submitted Asakura with a slick guillotine choke, earning him a Performance bonus on top of his $421,000 purse. Asakura left with $210,000.

UFC 319 Performance Bonuses

Three fighters earned an additional $50,000 for standout finishes:

• Lerone Murphy – spinning back elbow KO of Aaron Pico

• Carlos Prates – spinning back elbow KO of Geoff Neal

• Tim Elliott – guillotine choke submission of Kai Asakura

These bonuses further boosted the event’s reputation as one of the most action-packed cards of the year.

Complete UFC 319 Fighter Salaries (Selected)

• Dricus du Plessis – $3,800,000

• Khamzat Chimaev – $2,680,000

• Lerone Murphy – $1,270,000

• Aaron Pico – $715,000

• Tim Elliott – $421,000

• Edson Barboza – $421,000

• Michael Page – $410,000

• Jared Cannonier – $371,000

• Gerald Meerschaert – $371,000

• Jessica Andrade – $346,000

• Michal Oleksiejczuk – $266,000

• Geoff Neal – $211,000

• Kai Asakura – $210,000

• Chase Hooper – $161,000

• Carlos Prates – $131,000

• Karine Silva – $93,000

• Joseph Morales – $60,000

• Baysangur Susurkaev – $28,000

• Alibi Idris – $16,000

• Eric Nolan – $16,000

UFC 319: A Night to Remember

From Chimaev’s dominant title victory to Murphy’s jaw-dropping knockout, UFC 319 will be remembered as one of the most eventful pay-per-views of 2025. Every fight on the main card delivered action, while fighter payouts highlighted the UFC’s financial growth and the rewards available at the highest level of MMA.

For Chimaev, the future is clear: he is now the UFC middleweight champion, and new challengers are lining up for a chance to dethrone him. For Du Plessis, despite a crushing defeat, his multimillion-dollar purse ensures that his hard work and championship reign were well rewarded.

As for Lerone Murphy, his spectacular elbow knockout solidifies him as the division’s breakout star, with a potential title fight looming on the horizon. UFC 319 showcased not only thrilling fights but also the ever-growing global appeal of mixed martial arts.