World-champion fighter steps into the MMA ring for the first time in £200million European event, despite continuing to work in the family business.
In the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), particularly in the UFC, fighters' pay structures consist of a base "show" pay, a "win" bonus, additional performance bonuses such as "Fight of the Night" or "Performance of the Night", and in some cases, pay-per-view (PPV) revenue shares.
Top fighters like Max Holloway can earn millions of dollars per fight, with recent fights earning him up to $2.4 million. This significant growth from early career earnings of just a few thousand dollars per fight is a testament to the success and popularity of the sport. However, entry-level fighters often receive about $12,000 to show and an additional $12,000 to win, which has been widely criticised for being low compared to other sports.
Regarding the gender pay gap in MMA, available public data shows that female fighters tend to earn less than their male counterparts. For example, female headliners like Rose Namajunas have earned $500,000 per fight recently, which is less than the multi-million-dollar purses earned by male champions such as Holloway. The UFC is planning to increase fighter bonuses following a new multi-billion dollar media rights deal with Paramount in 2026, which could positively impact overall fighter pay. However, specific effects on the gender pay gap are not yet detailed.
Focusing on Niamh Kinehan, a British martial artist who has transitioned from Muay Thai to MMA, there is no publicly available detailed information on her specific fight purses or net worth. This suggests that as a female MMA fighter who is not yet a global headliner, her earnings are likely more modest and closer to entry-level or mid-tier pay ranges common for female fighters. This contrasts with well-known male fighters whose pay has reached seven figures recently.
Kinehan's career in MMA could be a test of her grappling skills, as she continues her striking training at Frank's Gym in Manchester and picks up grappling at Aspire Combat Sports Academy in Liverpool. Kinehan has held the WBC, WMO, and ISKA titles at 135lbs in Muay Thai.
Niamh Kinehan is set to make her MMA debut at Oktagon 74 in Prague. The main event at Oktagon 74 is a bantamweight title fight between Cecilie Bolander and Lucia Szabova. Kinehan will face Michaela Hlavacikova in the first fight of the night, marking both women's debut in MMA.
Oktagon, arguably Europe's largest MMA promotion, with an estimated worth of over £200 million, will provide a challenging platform for Kinehan's debut. Kinehan's success in MMA could be defined by her grappling game, as she transitions from Muay Thai.
Kinehan's drive and commitment are crucial to her balancing work and fighting career. She has managed to balance her regular job with her fighting career, choosing her own hours to accommodate her training. Kinehan emphasises the importance of no excuses and putting in the necessary effort.
The main event at Oktagon 74 is a bantamweight title fight between Cecilie Bolander and Lucia Szabova. Mick Stanton, a Liverpudlian, will take on Kaerim Engizek in a middleweight bout at Oktagon 74. Kinehan's life and journey are her responsibility, and she must commit fully to achieve her goals.
In summary, the MMA/UFC pay structure includes base pay, win bonuses, performance bonuses, and occasionally PPV revenue. Male top fighters like Max Holloway can earn $2 million+ per fight, while female top fighters' pay is significant but generally lower. Niamh Kinehan’s career earnings are not publicly detailed but are likely lower, reflecting the existing gender pay disparity. The UFC plans to increase bonuses with the new Paramount media deal, which may help improve pay but details remain pending. Kinehan's debut at Oktagon 74 will be a significant step in her MMA career.
- Niamh Kinehan, a British martial artist transitioning from Muay Thai to MMA, will make her MMA debut at Oktagon 74, a significant platform for her career, valued at over £200 million.
- Although the pay structure in the UFC comprises base pay, win bonuses, performance bonuses, and PPV revenue, earning $2 million+ per fight is common for top male fighters like Max Holloway, while the pay for female top fighters is significantly lower.
- The new media rights deal with Paramount in 2026 may result in increased bonuses for UFC fighters, which could positively impact overall fighter pay, though specific effects on the gender pay gap are yet to be detailed.
- As a female MMA fighter who is not yet a global headliner, Niamh Kinehan's earnings are likely more modest, reflecting the current gender pay disparity in the sport.
