2024’s Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes List Snubs MMA Fighters, Highlights Boxing’s Financial Edge

The 2024 top 100 highest-paid athletes list was unveiled by Sportico on Wednesday, highlighting earnings across eight sports. While six boxers secured spots on the list, no MMA fighters made the cut.

The rankings factor in both salary and estimated earnings from endorsements and sponsorships. Leading the pack was global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who topped the list with an astounding $260 million in earnings. The bulk of his income—$215 million—came from his salary at Al Nassr, a Saudi Arabian club.

Despite the rising popularity of MMA, not a single fighter from the sport earned enough to break into the top 100. This comes as a stark contrast to previous years when UFC stars like Conor McGregor were featured. In 2021, McGregor held the No. 1 spot after reportedly earning $180 million, with a large portion of that sum coming from his Proper No. 12 whiskey sale.

For 2024, boxing remained the combat sports’ financial frontrunner. Tyson Fury was the highest-earning boxer on the list, ranking No. 3 overall with $147 million. His earnings were largely derived from fight purses. Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Fury twice in the past year, followed closely at No. 7 with $122 million.

Also making the list was social media influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who came in at No. 52, accumulating $48 million—$38 million from fights and $10 million from endorsements and sponsorships. Paul’s successful 2024 campaign was highlighted by his blockbuster showdown against Mike Tyson on Netflix, which reportedly attracted over 100 million viewers. Other boxers featured in the rankings included:

• Canelo Alvarez (No. 20, $73 million)

•  Anthony Joshua (No. 30, $60 million)

•  Naoya Inoue (No. 81, $42 million)

Notably, no female athletes made the top 100 list either, further underscoring the disparity in sports earnings.

As MMA continues to expand globally, its absence from the rankings raises questions about fighter pay and sponsorship opportunities. Meanwhile, boxing remains the highest-paying combat sport, with elite fighters reaping massive financial rewards.