Alexandre Pantoja: from food delivery driver to UFC champion

Alexandre Pantoja is in line for a significant payday when he faces Kai Asakura at UFC 310 this weekend, but the Brazilian’s career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship hasn’t always been so financially beneficial.

Just a couple of years before he won the UFC Flyweight Championship for the first time, indeed, Pantoja was forced to work as a food delivery driver to pay his bills.

How much will Pantoja get paid for UFC 310?

Pantoja is expected to earn at least $750,000 from today’s title fight with newcomer Asakura, as he seeks to successfully defend his flyweight crown for a third occasion.

A UFC fighter since 2017, the 34-year-old became flyweight champion for the first time in July 2023, beating Mexican Brandon Moreno. Pantoja then held on to his belt with wins over American Brandon Royval and Australia’s Steve Erceg in December 2023 and May 2024, respectively.

Each of those three title bouts is estimated to have netted him a UFC payout of between $750,000 and $1 million - earnings that are far removed from the struggles Pantoja endured before a career turning point came in an August 2021 clash with Royval.

Speaking to the MMA Hour show last year, Pantoja recalled his difficulties in making ends meet in the period leading up to that win over Royval in Las Vegas, where he earned a game-changing $50,000 bonus for claiming the UFC’s Performance of the Night award.

“Money was short...”

According to Pantoja, who lives in Florida, he had to take a second job as an Uber Eats driver, and at one point sent his wife and two children back to Brazil because he couldn’t afford to support them in the US.

“Money was short and my wife started to clean houses [after returning to the States] and I started to drive Uber,” he revealed. “But I’d do this again if I need, you know. Because it’s not just about myself. It’s about my family, it’s about my kids. I supported my kids. I drove Uber and I did some jiu-jitsu tournaments to help.”

Pantoja continued: “When I got the money from the fight [against Royval], I knew, ‘OK, that’s good, I have six months to live [off the income].’ God gave me the fight, I won the fight and I won the bonus, [and] I could have surgery [on a knee injury] and relax for a couple of months and recover good.”

UFC chief: Fighters “paid what they’re supposed to”

The UFC has faced criticism for not paying its fighters more - not only because its highest-profile stars tend to receive less than the top earners in other sports such as boxing, but also because of the amounts competitors get before they reach the organization’s very highest level. After all, a fighter in the UFC’s lowest pay bracket may receive as little as $10,000 per bout.

Since making his UFC debut, Pantoja has averaged just over two fights per year and has never entered the Octagon more than three times every 12 months.

Speaking to GQ magazine in 2022, UFC president Dana White insisted the competition’s fighters do receive a fair salary. “Believe me, these guys get paid what they’re supposed to get paid,” White said.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.