How much do UFC ring girls make on average? Find out all the details

How much do UFC ring girls make on average? Find out all the details

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

UFC ring girls have been in MMA for decades now. Their work is to move around showing sign boards with information about the fighting rounds, and surprisingly some of them make more money than the actual fighters. Fans and enthusiasts often wonder how much UFC ring girls make and what roles they play in MMA promotions.

How much do UFC ring girls make per fight?
How much do UFC ring girls make on average?: Find out all the details. Photo: Albert L Ortega, Jeff Bottari (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Some ring beauties have substantial social media influence, and following thus are used by big companies to endorse brands. Although octagon girls and MMA have mutually benefited from each other, and their popularity has skyrocketed over the years, some famous UFC fighters have criticised their presence.

How much do UFC ring girls make per fight?

Ring girls take home about $1000 as a match fee and $5000 per event. However, their annual earnings differ from one girl to another due to their differences in contracts, endorsement deals, and social media gains.

What is the salary of a UFC ring girl?

The octagon ring girls' salaries depend on their appearances. Some earn more than $300,000 on contracts and appearances during main fight night events, while selected ring girls often make a maximum of about $30,000 per night, including bonuses.

Top 7 highest-paid UFC ring girls

The highest-paid ring girls are the most beautiful, with substantial social media influences and earnings. According to various online analysts, here is a list displaying the top 7 highest-paid octagon beauties.

7. Rachelle Leah - $20,000

How much do UFC ring girls make per fight?
Rachelle Leah arrives for the Premiere Of Cinedigm's Silencer held at Laemmle's Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre on 30 August 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Albert L Ortega
Source: Getty Images

Leah joined as a ring girl at age 19 and has been among the best in the industry for years. She was recruited while modelling for Ford Motor Company and was a regular in numerous television shows.

She hosted MMA reality promotion shows and the Ultimate fighter on the Spike television channel. She has also been featured in men's magazines such as Playboy, Muscle and fitness, and Maxim.

Full name

Rachelle Leah

Date of birth

20 August 1984

Age

38 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

San Carlos, California, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram

6. Vanessa Hanson - $20,000

How much does a UFC ring girl get paid?
Vanessa Hanson introduces a round during the Fight Night event at UBS Arena on 16 July 2022 in Elmont, New York. Photo: Jeff Bottari
Source: Getty Images

Vanessa is a California model who works as a UFC ring girl. After college graduation, she dived into modelling and was crowned the Trans-world Surf's 2011 UFC Model Search winner and later invited as a ring girl in UFC 136.

After a while, she became a regular thanks to her determination. Moreover, she was considered one of the best in the profession. Vanessa has other deals with other modelling agencies, like Toronto's Dulcedo Models, apart from the UFC.

Full name

Vanessa Hanson

Date of birth

13 April 1991

Age

31 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

Orange County, California, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram

5. Carly Baker - $30,000

Top 7 highest-paid UFC ring girls
Carly Baker takes a bite out of her Fiona Cairns 'cake hat' as she arrives at Royal Ascot 2016 at Ascot Racecourse on 14 June 2016 in Ascot, England. Photo: Chris Jackson
Source: Getty Images

Baker started modelling at the age of 14. She emerged as the winner of the Shout modelling competition and was used as the face of Tammy Girl in a teen magazine. Her achievements at a young age caught the sport's attention, and she was recruited.

The English model is now among the most popular UFC ring girls in MMA, and like other models, she has other side gigs outside the MMA promotions.

Full name

Carly Baker

Date of birth

7 March 1987

Age

36 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

London, England

Nationality

English

Social media presence

Instagram

4. Chrissy Blair - $30,000

How much does a UFC ring girl get paid?
Chrissy Blair is seen on 23 July 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: GP/Star Max
Source: Getty Images

Blair is a model and a superstar octagon girl who has made headlines as one of the top picks to do the pre-match customs. In 2011, she won the Miss TransWorld Motocross and was noticed by the UFC octagon.

During 133, she was invited as a guest, and in 2013, she became a regular, and since then, she has become one of the best UFC ring girls. Blair has also been featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated magazines Maxim and GUESS.

Full name

Chrissy Blair

Date of birth

5 January 1989

Age

34 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

The United States of America

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram

3. Brittney Palmer - $30,000

Top 7 highest-paid UFC ring girls
Brittney Palmer arrives at the Steven Tyler Hosts 4th Annual Grammy Awards viewing party to benefit Janie's Fund at Hollywood Palladium on 3 April 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Steve Granitz
Source: Getty Images

Brittney is one of the most popular and highest-paid personalities in this discipline. She began her career by painting as a way to express herself after being in an accident that left her for dead. She attended the University of California and studied Art History and Classic Portraiture.

At 18, she started modelling and ended up at the UFC, and since then, she has modelled for magazines such as Maxim, FHM, Inside Fitness, and Fitness Gurls.

Palmer's talent has seen her make deals with brands such as Reebok and W Hotel; on the other hand, her art has been displayed in different cities worldwide.

Full name

Brittney Palmer

Date of birth

24 June 1987

Age

35 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

San Diego, California, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter

2. Camila Oliveira - $50,000

What is the salary of a UFC ring girl?
Camila Oliveira introduces a round during the UFC 251 event at Flash Forum on 12 July 2020 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Jeff Bottari
Source: Getty Images

Camila is a Brazilian UFC ring girl that has grown more popular and is considered one of the best octagon girls in the UFC. She doubles up as a television host and often thrills fans with her racy pictures.

She started modelling at 16, and when she got her UFC job, Camila became the first Brazilian ring girl in the MMA promotions. She made headlines during UFC 257 when she used the high-profile fight between McGregor and Dustin to advertise her adult website.

Full name

Camila Oliveira

Date of birth

3 May 1996

Age

26 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil

Nationality

Brazilian

Social media presence

Instagram

1. Arianny Celeste - $1 million

Celeste is the highest-paid and most popular UFC ring girl. She is also the richest, and none can measure up to her social media influence. She attended the University of Nevada and studied fitness and nutrition.

How much do UFC ring girls make per fight?
Arianny Celeste arrives at the grand opening of Kassi Beach House on 28 May 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Bryan Steffy
Source: Getty Images

The renowned personality debuted in 2006; since then, she has been the top-earning octagon girl. Aside from being a ring girl, she has other gigs and has been featured in international men's magazines such as Playboy, Maxim, and Sports Illustrated.

Full name

Arianny Celeste (Penelope Lopez Marquez)

Date of birth

12 November 1985

Age

37 years of age as of March 2023

Place of birth

Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram

Who is the highest-paid female UFC fighter of all time?

The reigning bantamweight women's champion, Amanda Nunes, is the highest-paid UFC female fighter of all time. In her career, she has defeated almost every female UFC champion that has ever existed and is thus considered the greatest fighter in the history of women's MMA.

Who is the richest ring girl in the UFC?

Aranny Celeste is the richest ring lady in the world. She has made a fortune with her growing popularity and takes home an annual salary of about $1 million. According to various online sources, Celeste's net worth is estimated to be $3.4 million as of 2023.

What is the lowest UFC salary?

Before a fight, contracts are signed for fixed amounts, and the three tiers are low, medium, and high. The lowest is between $10,000 and $30,000 per fight.

How much do UFC ring girls make?
Octagon girl Brooklyn Wren introduces a round during the 235 event at T-Mobile Arena on 2 March 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari
Source: Getty Images

Who was the first UFC ring card girl?

The first UFC ring card girl, Amber Nichole-Miller, made her debut in 2002 at UFC 40, and to date, she is still considered the real UFC octagon ring girl.

How much does a UFC fighter make per fight if they lose?

In the UFC fights, when it comes to salary, it does not matter whether one loses or wins. All the fighters will be paid despite the outcome.

The most famous UFC ring girls, such as Arianny Celeste and Brittney Palmer, have massive social media influence with the highest-paying paychecks. Fans can now know how much UFC ring girls make and how they make names for themselves in and outside the ring. Most octagon girls are graduates, with most having other jobs that complement their modelling careers and add to their net worth.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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