The short answer is yes – Jorge Masvidal has earned every penny thanks to his incredible career inside the Octagon and savvy business moves outside it. Let‘s take a deep dive into Gamebred‘s journey.
Powerful, technical, and wildly entertaining – Florida‘s own Jorge Masvidal embodies everything that makes Mixed Martial Arts so exhilarating to watch. Dubbed "Gamebred", Masvidal combines vicious power punches and slick grappling skills with an unbreakable iron will to thrive in MMA‘s biggest proving ground – the UFC‘s Octagon.
Boasting an estimated net worth of $6 million as of late 2023, Masvidal‘s fortune directly correlates with the resounding success he has achieved in becoming one of UFC‘s most popular and compelling fighters. Between lucrative fight purses, pay-per-view bonuses, endorsements and smart business deals, Gamebred is racking up wins both inside and outside the cage.
Let‘s chronicle the meteoric rise of Jorge Masvidal and see how he skillfully built his wealth through MMA excellence.
A Prodigy is Born
Long before he was selling out arenas and banking million dollar paydays, Jorge Masvidal‘s destiny in martial arts began to take shape. Born in Miami in 1984 to a Peruvian mother and Cuban father, athletic talent clearly ran deep in Masvidal‘s genes.
Raised in the tough neighborhood of West Kendall, Masvidal took to the streets where he quickly earned a reputation as a fierce scrapper. Recognizing Jorge‘s natural abilities, his father steered young Masvidal towards organized martial arts training. This proved a transformative moment.
The fledgling fighter dedicated himself to honing his craft under the tutelage of MMA coach Paul Herrara. This relationship laid the foundations for Masvidal‘s future success, steering him away from potential pitfalls and towards excellence.
Baptism by Fire – The Early Days
Jorge Masvidal wasted no time putting his prodigious skills to the test. In 2003, a raw 18-year old Masvidal made his professional debut, dazzling spectators with his fluid boxing and thudding leg kicks.
Over the next decade, Masvidal steadily climbed the MMA ranks, competing for promotions like Strikeforce, Bellator and Shark Fights. In 2011, he captured the Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament in blistering fashion, proving he was destined for greatness.
These formative years were a trial by fire that hardened Masvidal, preparing him for the brutal proving ground of the UFC octagon. Records are made to be broken, and Jorge Masvidal was hellbent on breaking them.
The Gamebred Era Begins
In 2013, Jorge Masvidal finally achieved his goal of reaching MMA‘s big leagues by signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He made an electrifying octagon debut, outstriking Tim Means en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Over the next 5 years, Masvidal racked up a stellar 9-3 record within the promotion, with thunderous knockouts over the likes of Donald Cerrone and Jake Ellenberger. His fan-friendly style of fluid striking blended with vicious power punches made Masvidal a rising star.
But the world had yet to see the very best of "Gamebred". Masvidal‘s biggest opportunities were still to come.
Born Again Hard – Masvidal Reaches Superstardom
The year 2019 proved truly transcendent, cementing Jorge Masvidal as one of UFC‘s most bankable box office attractions.
He began by scoring the fastest knockout in UFC history, folding Ben Askren with a perfectly timed flying knee after just 5 seconds. Masvidal followed this up by claiming the unprecedented "BMF" title against Nate Diaz in an electrifying fight.
These sensational victories turbocharged Masvidal‘s popularity, setting up a massive welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 in July 2020.
Despite losing by decision, Masvidal proved he was now a mainstream superstar capable of selling huge pay-per-view numbers. His fortune in the years since has reflected this new, elite status.
Show Me the Money – Breaking Down Masvidal‘s Net Worth
As of September 2023, reliable sources estimate Jorge Masvidal‘s net worth to be approximately $6 million. He has earned this fortune through a combination of UFC fight purses, pay-per-view payouts, merchandise sales, endorsements and smart business deals.
His most recent confirmed UFC purse was a base salary of $500,000 for UFC 251 in July 2020. With PPV points added, his total take home for that event was likely over $1 million.
For comparison, Masvidal‘s purse was twice as much as the UFC 251 base salary earned by reigning welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
In a 2021 interview, Masvidal revealed he renewed his UFC contract for approximately $5 million per year guaranteed over an unspecified number of fights. This demonstrates the promotion‘s confidence in his star power.
Outside the octagon, Masvidal has made additional income from his successful Gamebred MMA clothing line and his Gamebred Boxing gym in Miami. He has also partnered with brands like Air Jordan.
As of September 2022, here is a breakdown of Masvidal‘s net worth:
| Source of Income | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Total UFC career fight purses | $4.5 million |
| UFC 251 purse vs. Usman | $500,000+ |
| Sponsorships & Endorsements | $500,000 |
| Apparel merchandise sales | $200,000 |
| Other business ventures | $350,000 |
At just 38 years young, expect Masvidal‘s net worth to continue rising as he cashes in on his superstardom.
Pay-Per-View King – Masvidal‘s Drawing Power
Make no mistake – Jorge Masvidal moves the needle when it comes to pay-per-view (PPV) buys. His headlining presence almost guarantees the UFC blockbuster sales.
For example, UFC 251 in July 2020 reportedly sold a whopping 1.3 million PPV buys. This was the UFC‘s first event back following pandemic shutdowns, and the card was headlined by Masvidal‘s BMF title fight with Kamaru Usman.
These numbers broke previous UFC records for PPV buys on ESPN, cementing Masvidal as one of the company‘s most reliable cash cows.
Masvidal‘s next PPV showing came in April 2021 at UFC 261, where he suffered a brutal KO loss in his rematch with Usman. Despite Masvidal‘s defeat, the event still reportedly sold 700,000 buys, proving fans will tune in no matter the outcome.
Very few fighters can claim Masvidal‘s consistent PPV drawing power. Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya are some of the only others in his league right now.
The People‘s Champ
With his aggressive fighting style and outgoing persona, Jorge Masvidal has built a special connection with fans that other UFC stars simply can‘t match. He will always be MMA‘s people‘s champ.
Rather than flashy trash talk, Masvidal wins crowds over through his raw authenticity. Fans identify with his underdog journey, hard-nosed grit, and behind-the-scenes charm.
Despite earning riches today, Masvidal stays true to his roots by giving back. He often hosts free seminars at his Miami gym and donates to local youth charities.
These gestures have cemented Masvidal as a man of the people, long after escaping poverty. His fan support spans demographics, making him one of the UFC‘s most beloved anti-heroes.
Surviving Storms – Masvidal‘s Ups and Downs
Masvidal‘s road to the top has seen its fair share of stumbles, from painful losses to questionable choices. But he meets every challenge head on.
Over the past three years, Masvidal has suffered lopsided defeats in two title fights against rival Kamaru Usman. Some critics are quick to label him overhyped as a result.
However, Masvidal himself acknowledges wrestling is his Achilles heel against dominant grapplers like Usman. Rather than make excuses, he vows to keep improving.
Masvidal also weathered controversy in 2019 after an altercation with Leon Edwards backstage at a UFC event in London. Masvidal punched Edwards as retaliation for past trash talk between the fighters.
While Masvidal apologized for letting emotions get the better of him, he refused to shy away from the incident, facing the music head on. His forthrightness helped fans empathize with his side of the story.
Time after time, Masvidal bounces back stronger than ever. It‘s this grit under fire that endears him to supporters.
The Show Goes On
At age 38, most MMA fighters would consider hanging up the gloves, content with all they‘ve achieved. But that‘s not the Gamebred way.
Despite recent setbacks, Masvidal remains determined to compete among the UFC elite for years to come. His continued relevance is evidenced by still being ranked the #6 welterweight contender as of September 2022.
Once he fully recovers from a recent hand injury, Masvidal aims to return to the octagon before the end of 2022. He is targeting fellow contenders like Gilbert Burns as potential comeback opponents.
With free agency possibly looming in 2024, rumors continue swirling of Masvidal joining upstart leagues like Jake Paul‘s Bare Knuckle FC for a monster payday. But his home remains inside the UFC octagon.
Either way, the Gamebred hype train rolls on steadily thanks to Jorge Masvidal‘s undying passion for competition and love for the fans. He still has plenty left to accomplish.
Conclusion – Viva La Gamebred
Jorge Masvidal‘s estimated $6 million net worth accurately reflects his stellar track record of achievement within UFC and beyond. His courage inside the octagon paired with business savvy outside it continues paying huge dividends.
With an electrifying style and larger-than-life persona, Masvidal built himself into one of most compelling and consistent draws in MMA history. His fortunes will likely keep rising for years to come.
Not bad for a poor kid from the Miami streets. Viva La Gamebred!
