While most debuting UFC fighters make peanuts, Israel Adesanya walked away with six figures following his first appearance inside the Octagon.
Today, ‘The Last Stylebender’ is an undeniable legend of the sport and the UFC’s only two-time middleweight titleholder. But just seven short years ago, Adesanya was just another world-class kickboxer trying to make the move to MMA. Squaring off with Rob Wilkinson in his promotional premier at UFC 221, Adesanya delivered a spectacular performance, battering and bloodying his opponent en route to a second-round TKO.
At the time, most newcomers were on a 10k/10k contract, meaning that you’d get $10,000 for showing up and another $10,000 if you win.