When Joe Rogan Shocked UFC Stars Revealing Oleksandr Usyk’s $130 Million Paycheck

UFC commentator and popular podcaster Joe Rogan reveals the massive payouts for Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2.

When Joe Rogan Shocked UFC Stars Revealing Oleksandr Usyk’s $130 Million Paycheck

Joe Rogan reveals payouts for Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 (via Bleacher Report, Los Angeles Times)

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The world of combat sports often brings attention not only for the action inside the ring but also for the staggering amounts athletes earn. Recent revelations about fighter payouts have once again highlighted the financial scale of high-profile boxing and MMA events. This comes after popular podcast host Joe Rogan highlighted the significant earnings of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois for their rematch.

The Usyk vs. Dubois rematch took place on July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London, contested for the undisputed heavyweight championship (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring). Usyk won by knockout in the fifth round, reclaiming the undisputed title for the second time. At the time of stoppage, the judges’ cards read 40–36, 39-37, and 39-37, all in favor of Usyk.

Rogan spoke with UFC superstars Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski backstage at the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford superfight press conference. The excerpt is part of a video on Adesanya’s YouTube channel, FREESTYLEBENDER, in which Rogan meets up with Adesanya and Volk to discuss how the Alvarez vs. Crawford superfight may unfold and then reveals the surprising numbers from the previous event.

Did you see the numbers that Usyk and Dubois are getting? $132 million (for Usyk) and $71 million (for Dubois). That’s crazy numbers for purses.

Joe Rogan via FREESTYLEBENDER

Those figures, if accurate, would place Usyk comfortably among the highest-paid fighters in history. The estimated sum reflects not just the base purse but also potential revenue from pay-per-view shares, bonuses, and other promotional earnings. Dubois’ estimated amount, though less, still underscores the lucrative nature of high-profile rematches.

In their first fight in August 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland, Usyk defended his unified heavyweight titles against Dubois. The purse bid for that fight was won by Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, with a bid of approximately $8,057,000. Of that amount, Usyk received about $6,042,750 (75 percent), while Dubois took home roughly $2,014,250 (25 percent).

Joe Rogan’s revelation of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 highlighted the pay gap between boxing and MMA as a key topic in combat sports. Boxers earn a larger share of event revenue, including pay-per-view and sponsorships, leading to nine-figure payouts. In contrast, most MMA fighters have fixed contracts under promotions like the UFC. As a result, even top MMA stars earn far less than boxing’s elite.

Joe Rogan calls Oleksandr Usyk the “Best Of All Time”

Oleksandr Usyk’s rise through the ranks has been one of the most impressive stories in modern boxing. He began as the undisputed cruiserweight champion, later moved up to heavyweight, and continued to achieve historic success. Over the years, Usyk has secured victories against Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois, defeating each opponent twice and further solidifying his legacy.

Joe Rogan praises Oleksandr Usyk
Joe Rogan praises Oleksandr Usyk (via X)

Joe Rogan has long been known for his deep appreciation of combat sports, often praising fighters who display exceptional technical ability and consistency across weight divisions. His recent remarks about Usyk have once again drawn attention to the Ukrainian’s remarkable career and his dominance across multiple weight classes.

I think he is one of the best of all time. I really do think he is one of the best heavyweights, and this is coming from a guy who used to be the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He is so good. I mean, you think about what he has done. He beat AJ twice, Tyson Fury twice, and now Dubois twice. Those are two of the best of this era, and he is smaller than everybody.

Joe Rogan via PowerfulJRE

Rogan’s acknowledgment of Usyk’s accomplishments underscored the growing recognition of the Ukrainian champion’s place in boxing history. Usyk’s combination of technical precision, endurance, and adaptability against larger opponents has elevated him to rare status, with many now viewing him as one of the greatest heavyweights ever to compete.

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