Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa purse, salaries: How much money will they make at UFC 253?

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The UFC middleweight title is on the line on Saturday when two of the division's bright young stars face off for the first time.

Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya will face off against Paulo "The Eraser" Costa in the main event of UFC 253. The fight will, presumably, result in the first loss for one of the fighters. It may result in Adesanya's middleweight title changing hands for the first time since he won it in October 2019. One thing that is more than certain, however, is that both fighters will earn a significant pay day from the event.

Part of that, of course, depends on whether Adesanya (19-0, 14 KOs) can successfully defend his belt again against Costa (13-0, 11 KOs). Here's everything you need to know about the money Adesanya and Costa stand to make at UFC 253:

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Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa purse, prize money for UFC 253

The full purse and prize money for UFC 253 won't be known until the conclusion of Saturday's bout; still, both fighters stand to make a lot of money based on their last respective fights — especially Costa, who was not in the featured main event the last time he fought. Below is a breakdown of Adesanya's and Costa's last payouts and purses from each of their previous UFC bouts from UFC 248 and 241, respectively:

UFC 248: $2.086 million*

Adesanya ($500,000, no win bonus) def. Yoel Romero ($350,000)

*reported earnings to the Nevada State Athletic Commission

UFC 241: $3.318 million**

Miocic ($120,000, including $60,000 win bonus) def. Romero ($150,000)

**reported earnings to the California State Athletic Commission

What is Israel Adesanya's net worth?

Multiple reports suggest Adesanya's worth $2 million based on money won in his 19 career fights. He won a reported $1.34 million from his last three fights in UFC 248, 243 and 236, respectively.

What is Paulo Costa's net worth?

Costa's net worth is reported between $500,000 and $1 million, depending on the source. He has 13 UFC fights to his name, winning a reported $230,000 for his last two fights in UFC 241 and 226, respectively.

Israel Adesanya's career record

The reigning middleweight champion enters Saturday's match against Costa with a 19-0 record — 14 KOs and five decisions (four unanimous and one split). He won the interim belt against Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision in UFC 236; he then won and unified the title against Robert Whittaker in UFC 243 via second-round KO. He successfully defended it in UFC 248, defeating Yoel Romero by unanimous decision. Adesanya's fight style is strike-heavy, based in boxing and kickboxing.

Paulo Costa's career record

Curiously, Costa's last fight yielded the same result as Adesanya's: a unanimous decision over Romero, this time in UFC 241. The orthodox-stanced fighter has an undefeated 13-0 record to his name: 11 by KO, one by submission and one by unanimous decision. His fight against Adesanya will be his first in over a year.

Author(s)
Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb is a content producer for The Sporting News.