Chad Mendes, a prominent figure in mixed martial arts (MMA), has made a significant impact in combat sports. He is known for his explosive fighting style and impressive wrestling background. Mendes has built a name for himself in the octagon and has ventured into various business endeavors. This article delves into Chad Mendes’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract details, career stats, and more.
Chad Mendes’s Biography
Chad Eduardo Mendes was born in Hanford, California, on May 1, 1985. He grew up with a passion for wrestling, which he pursued throughout his school years.
Early Life
Mendes attended California Polytechnic State University, where he became a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler. This wrestling background laid a solid foundation for his transition into MMA.
Professional Career
Chad Mendes began his professional MMA career in 2008 and quickly rose through the ranks. He joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2011, where he competed in the featherweight division. Mendes was known for his powerful takedowns and striking ability, which earned him multiple title shots. Notable fights include his bouts against Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor, which were highlights of his UFC career.
After retiring from the UFC in 2019, Mendes signed with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in 2021. His debut at BKFC was marked by a victory over Joshuah Alvarez, showcasing his adaptability and skill in bare-knuckle boxing.
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Chad Mendes’s Net Worth
Chad Mendes’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025.
Contract
Mendes signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in August 2021 after being released from his UFC contract at his request.
Career Earnings
Mendes has earned a significant amount through fight purses, endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Here’s a breakdown of his estimated earnings:
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| Source of Earnings | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Fight Purses | $1.5 million (as of 2021) |
| Endorsements | Significant contributions to his net worth, exact figures not provided |
| Entrepreneurial Ventures | Substantial earnings from his fitness company, Fins and Feathers |
| Investments | Contributions to his wealth, exact figures not disclosed |
| YouTube Estimated Earnings | $2.54K - $15.2K (as of August 2024) |
Endorsements
Chad Mendes has done endorsement work for several brands, including:
- Reebok
- MTN OPS Supplements
- Lethal Products
- Traeger Grills
- Vortex Optics
- Phone Skope
- The Fever
Career Stats
Mendes has an impressive record in combat sports.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Record | 18-5-0 |
| Winning Method - KO/TKO | 8/18 |
| Winning Method - Submission | 2/18 |
| Winning Method - Decision | 8/18 |
| Losing Method - KO/TKO | 4/5 |
| Losing Method - Decision | 1/5 |
UFC Fight Night 63 Payouts
Here's a look at the disclosed payouts from UFC Fight Night 63, where Chad Mendes was a top earner:
- Chad Mendes: $96,000 (includes $48,000 win bonus)
- Ricardo Lamas: $35,000
- Al Iaquinta: $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus)
- Jorge Masvidal: $51,000
- Michael Chiesa: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus)
- Mitch Clarke: $12,000
- Julianna Pena: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
- Milana Dudieva: $10,000
- Clay Guida: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus)
- Robbie Peralta: $18,000
- Dustin Poirier: $68,000 (includes $34,000 win bonus)
- Diego Ferreira: $15,000
- Liz Carmouche: $34,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus)
- Lauren Murphy: $8,000
- Alexander Yakovlev: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
- Gray Maynard: $48,000
- Timothy Johnson: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
- Shamil Abdurahimov: $12,000
- Ron Stallings: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
- Justin Jones: $8,000
The total disclosed payroll for the event was $691,000.
UFC 189 Payouts
Conor McGregor's UFC 189 victory over Chad Mendes was a lucrative event for both fighters. Both McGregor and Mendes made $500,000 for their roles in the main event.
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Here's a breakdown of the payouts for other fighters at UFC 189:
- Robbie Lawler: $300,000 (includes $150,000 win bonus)
- Rory MacDonald: $59,000
- Jeremy Stephens: $72,000 (includes $40,000 win bonus)
- Dennis Bermudez: $34,000
- Gunnar Nelson: $58,000 (includes $29,000 win bonus)
- Brandon Thatch: $22,000
- Thomas Almeida: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
- Brad Pickett: $30,000
- Matt Brown: $92,000 (includes $46,000 win bonus)
- Tim Means: $23,000
- Alex Garcia: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
- Mike Swick: $48,000
- John Howard: $42,000 (includes $21,000 win bonus)
- Cathal Pendred: $10,000
- Cody Garbrandt: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
- Henry Briones: $10,000
- Louis Smolka: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
- Neil Seery: $15,000
- Cody Pfister: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
- Yosdenis Cedeno: $13,000
FAQs
- Who is Chad Mendes?
Chad Mendes is a retired American mixed martial artist, collegiate wrestler, and bare-knuckle boxer. He gained fame competing in the UFC featherweight division, where he challenged for the championship three times. He also excelled in collegiate wrestling at Cal Poly, earning NCAA All-American honors twice.
- What are Chad Mendes’ notable MMA achievements?
Mendes earned multiple awards, including Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses. His 2014 fight against José Aldo was named Fight of the Year. He holds a professional MMA record of 18 wins and 5 losses, with 8 wins by knockout.
- Why did Chad Mendes transition to bare-knuckle boxing?
After retiring from MMA in 2018, Mendes signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in 2022. He considered bare-knuckle boxing safer than MMA and saw it as an opportunity to extend his combat sports career while earning lucrative paydays.
- What is Chad Mendes’ wrestling background?
Mendes wrestled at California Polytechnic State University, achieving a career record of 64-14. He was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and won the Pac-10 Conference Championship in 2008, finishing as runner-up in the NCAA Championships that year.
- What business ventures is Chad Mendes involved in?
Mendes co-founded Finz and Featherz, a hunting and fishing guide service that combines his love for outdoor activities with entrepreneurship. This business provides an alternative income stream beyond combat sports.
- Who are Chad Mendes’ most notable opponents?
Mendes faced top fighters such as José Aldo, Conor McGregor, Frankie Edgar, and Alexander Volkanovski during his MMA career. His fights against Aldo were particularly memorable, including their 2014 Fight of the Year bout.
- What is Chad Mendes’ ethnic background?
Mendes has a diverse heritage that includes Portuguese, Italian, Puerto Rican, Irish, and Native American ancestry. He often acknowledges his multicultural roots.
- When did Chad Mendes retire from combat sports?
Mendes officially retired after his loss to Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 41 in May 2023. He previously retired from MMA in 2019 but returned to compete in bare-knuckle boxing before his final retirement.
- What awards has Chad Mendes received in combat sports?
Mendes earned accolades such as Knockout of the Night, Fight of the Night (twice), Performance of the Night (twice), and Fight of the Year (2014). These awards highlight his skill and entertaining fighting style.
- How has Chad Mendes influenced combat sports?
Mendes is recognized for his contributions to MMA and bare-knuckle boxing.
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