UFC lightweight and welterweight champion Islam Makhachev recently revealed a surprising financial reality that puts MMA athlete pay in stark perspective. During a conversation on the Mighty Cast podcast with former flyweight champion Demetrius Johnson, Makhachev discussed his passion for horse racing and dropped an eye-opening comparison about athlete compensation.
The Dagestani champion, who now owns approximately 1,000 sheep and roughly 10 horses on his farm, explained how professional jockeys can earn substantial prize money from elite competitions.
When Johnson asked him about the names he gives his animals, Makhachev responded with a joke. He said, “I have around 1,000 sheep. What name I can give them?”
Makhachev specifically referenced the World Cup horse racing event held annually in Dubai, which offers around $10 million for first place. The jockey riding the winning horse receives 10 percent of that purse, totaling $1 million.
He stated, “For world cup, the best like biggest show for the horse it’s always in Dubai. It’s called like World Cup. The money for the first place, if I’m not like confused, around $10 million. And the guy who is the on top of the horse, he have 10%.”
When Makhachev jokingly suggested that the retired Johnson, who weighs around 125 lbs (57 kg), could meet the maximum weight requirement of 125 lbs (57 kg) for jockeys, Johnson expressed disbelief at the potential earnings.
The pound-for-pound best figh ter in the world pointed out the harsh truth: that million-dollar jockey payout exceeds what most UFC competitors make per match.
“That’s more I got paid. I mean, I didn’t make that in the UFC,” Johnson said.
Surprised, Makhachev asked, “You never make more than $1 million?”
Johnson confirmed he never earned more than $1 million in a single UFC bout during his legendary career, which included a record-setting flyweight title reign.
Johnson confirmed, “Not in the UFC. No, I didn’t.”
Makhachev responded sympathetically, acknowledging the disparity in compensation between the sports.
The conversation highlighted ongoing concerns about athlete pay in mixed martial arts, even as Makhachev noted that compensation has improved in recent years. He mentioned that the money situation is changing and the UFC is paying more than in previous eras, though the comparison to horse racing jockey earnings still reveals a significant gap.
