Yoel Romero, famously known as “The Soldier of God,” is one of the most fascinating fighters in the world of mixed martial arts. His career has spanned across multiple major organizations, including UFC, Bellator, and now PFL, where he continues to compete at the highest level.
Beyond his powerful performances inside the cage, fans are equally curious about how much money Romero has made from fighting and endorsements. In this detailed article, we will break down Yoel Romero’s net worth, his fight purses, pay-per-view shares, and how his financial journey has shaped up over the years.
Yoel Romero Net Worth Overview
Yoel Romero’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2025. This fortune has been accumulated through fight purses, pay-per-view money, sponsorships, and his long wrestling career before transitioning to MMA.
While Romero is not the wealthiest fighter in combat sports, his consistency in securing high-profile bouts against some of the biggest names in the sport has ensured significant financial rewards.
His career earnings reflect his steady climb from modest payouts in Strikeforce to massive paydays in the UFC, Bellator, and now the PFL.
Yoel Romero Career Earnings Breakdown
Yoel Romero’s career is a story of financial growth. He started with relatively small payouts but gradually built up to six-figure and eventually half-a-million-dollar purses as he became a marquee fighter.
His move from Strikeforce to UFC was a turning point, as he went from earning around $10,000 to making hundreds of thousands per fight. Later, Bellator and PFL contracts added even more to his wealth.
1. UFC Career Earnings
Romero’s UFC journey is where his stardom truly blossomed. He went from $8k base pay to commanding half a million dollars for a fight. The UFC recognized his ability to draw fans, especially with his explosive fighting style.
His highest UFC payout came in his fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 248, where he made $500k guaranteed without even factoring in potential bonuses.
Key UFC Paydays
- UFC 205 (vs Chris Weidman): Romero earned $76,000 with win bonus included.
- UFC 213 (vs Robert Whittaker): Even in defeat, he pocketed $150,000.
- UFC 221 (vs Luke Rockhold): Romero secured a massive $250,000 for his TKO victory.
- UFC 248 (vs Israel Adesanya): His career-high UFC payout of $500,000 came despite a loss.
2. Bellator Career Earnings
After leaving the UFC, Romero signed with Bellator, where his guaranteed payouts remained impressive. Though his purses in Bellator were smaller than his UFC peak, he consistently earned in the $150k to $300k range.
His fights against Phil Davis, Alex Polizzi, Melvin Manhoef, and Vadim Nemkov showcased his continued drawing power in the sport.
3. PFL Contract and Earnings
In 2024, Romero signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), joining their super fight division. His debut fight against Thiago Santos saw him take home a massive $500,000 purse. The PFL deal ensured that Romero, even at this late stage in his career, was still among the top earners in MMA.
The guaranteed half-a-million-dollar paycheck is a testament to his value as both a fighter and a fan attraction.
4. Pay-Per-View Money Share
One of the biggest financial boosts for Romero came from his pay-per-view fights in the UFC. While his exact PPV cuts were not always disclosed, it is widely known that Romero received a share of PPV revenue for marquee bouts like UFC 205, UFC 221, UFC 225, and UFC 248.
These fights brought in hundreds of thousands of additional dollars. For example, the Adesanya fight at UFC 248 was heavily promoted, and Romero’s PPV share likely pushed his total payout closer to $750,000 or more.
Yoel Romero Purse Payouts Over the Years
To understand Romero’s financial journey, let us look at his fight purses across different organizations. This table captures his earnings from Strikeforce, UFC, Bellator, and PFL.
| Opponent | Guaranteed Purse | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Cavalcante | $10k | Strikeforce | 2011 |
| Clifford Starks | $8k | UFC on Fox 7 | 2013 |
| Ronny Markes | $10k | UFC FN 31 | 2013 |
| Derek Brunson | $12k | UFC FN 35 | 2014 |
| Brad Tavares | $16k | UFC on Fox 11 | 2014 |
| Tim Kennedy | $24k | UFC 178 | 2014 |
| Lyoto Machida | $28k | UFC FN 70 | 2015 |
| Ronaldo Souza | $30k | UFC 194 | 2015 |
| Chris Weidman | $38k | UFC 205 | 2016 |
| Robert Whittaker | $150k | UFC 213 | 2017 |
| Luke Rockhold | $250k | UFC 221 | 2018 |
| Robert Whittaker | $400k | UFC 225 | 2018 |
| Paulo Costa | $250k | UFC 241 | 2019 |
| Israel Adesanya | $500k | UFC 248 | 2020 |
| Phil Davis | $300k | Bellator 266 | 2021 |
| Alex Polizzi | $150k | Bellator 280 | 2022 |
| Melvin Manhoef | $150k | Bellator 285 | 2022 |
| Vadim Nemkov | $200k | Bellator 297 | 2023 |
| Thiago Santos | $500k | PFL Super Fights | 2024 |
| Theo Doukas | $150k | BKFC 80 | 2025 |
Yoel Romero has recently made his comeback after becoming the part of the BKFC and appeared in the BKFC event. In his debut fight in the promotion, he has pocketed the guaranteed purse of the $150k.
Yoel Romero Sponsorships and Endorsements
Outside of the cage, Yoel Romero has also made money from sponsorships and endorsements. While not as heavily marketed as some other fighters, his reputation as an Olympic wrestler and elite MMA athlete made him an attractive figure for sports apparel and nutrition brands.
Yoel Romero endorsements, while smaller compared to global stars like Conor McGregor, still contributed steadily to his overall net worth.
Let’s Rewind
Yoel Romero’s journey in combat sports is nothing short of inspirational. From humble beginnings as an Olympic wrestler to becoming one of MMA’s biggest attractions, his rise has been both athletic and financial.
With career earnings crossing millions, sponsorships, and PPV shares, Yoel Romero has built a net worth of around $10 million. His story proves that dedication and longevity can lead not just to a legendary legacy but also to financial security.
As he continues competing in the PFL, Romero’s financial impact on MMA will only grow stronger.
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