Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, who retired from mixed martial arts in 2022, has accumulated an estimated net worth between $2 million and $5 million. This financial standing, confirmed through public records and verified fight earnings, showcases the lucrative potential of a top-tier MMA career combined with savvy post-retirement moves.
Breaking Down The Fortune: UFC Earnings & Beyond
The primary source of Dillashaw's wealth stems directly from his time inside the Octagon. His income was a combination of guaranteed fight purses, substantial win bonuses, and lucrative pay-per-view revenue shares, especially during his championship reigns. Additionally, performance bonuses for 'Fight of the Night' or 'Performance of the Night' added significant chunks to his earnings.
Outside the cage, sponsorship deals during his peak years as a dominant champion contributed notably. Following his retirement, Dillashaw smoothly transitioned into coaching, sharing his expertise with fighters at the renowned Elevation Fight Team in Denver, Colorado. He has also demonstrated acumen in real estate investments, notably profiting from the sale of a California property at a price higher than its purchase value.
A Champion's Journey: From Wrestling Mats to UFC Gold
Born on February 7, 1986, in Sonora, California, TJ Dillashaw's athletic prowess was evident early. He excelled as a high school wrestler, becoming a two-time California state runner-up. This success earned him a full scholarship to California State University, Fullerton, where he was a three-time NCAA Division I national qualifier (2007-2009) and a two-time fourth-place finisher at the Pac-10 Championships.
Dillashaw entered the UFC in 2011 and rapidly ascended the bantamweight ranks. His defining moment came in 2014 when he delivered a massive upset, dethroning the long-unbeaten champion Renan Barão to claim his first UFC title. He later regained the championship in 2017 by defeating rival Cody Garbrandt in a highly anticipated series of bouts. A series of debilitating shoulder injuries ultimately led to his official retirement in 2022.
Controversy, Comeback, and Life After Fighting
Dillashaw's career faced a major setback in January 2019 when he tested positive for EPO ahead of a flyweight title fight against Henry Cejudo. He received a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), admitted to the violation, and issued a public apology. His return after suspension was hampered by injuries, fast-tracking his decision to retire.
Today, TJ Dillashaw resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife Rebecca and their two children. He remains deeply embedded in the MMA world as a coach and mentor, focusing on his family and guiding the next generation of fighters. His story is one of spectacular athletic achievement, financial growth, personal redemption, and a successful pivot to life after active competition.
