In the adrenaline-fueled arena of combat sports, the spotlight typically shines brightest on the fighters enduring the heavy hits.

However, as the industry evolves into a multi-billion dollar entertainment juggernaut, a savvy elite of “ring girls”—now often more aptly described as entrepreneurs and multi-hyphenate influencers—has built financial empires that rival those of the athletes they support.

From the Octagon to high-end art galleries, these women have leveraged their seconds in the spotlight into diversified portfolios.

While the base salary for a ring girl can start around £15,000 to £20,000, those at the top have transformed their visibility into multi-million pound brands.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua are set to dominate platforms like Netflix, here is how the world’s most successful ring girls have secured their knockout net worths.

1. Brittney Palmer: The Fine Art Powerhouse

Estimated Net Worth: £4.1 million ($5.2 million)
Brittney Palmer is the definitive example of using a sporting platform to launch a professional passion.

A six-time World MMA Awards “Ringcard Girl of the Year,” Palmer officially retired from the UFC in late 2023 at UFC 296 to focus on her thriving career as a contemporary artist.

• Diverse Portfolio: Palmer owns a gallery in Las Vegas and her paintings—which have been purchased by icons like Conor McGregor—can command up to £7,000 per piece.
• Charitable Impact: She has used her talent to raise over $100,000 for charities like UNICEF and the Born This Way Foundation.

2. Maura Higgins: The Reality TV Mogul

Estimated Net Worth: £4.6 million ($5.8 million)
Long before she became the breakout star of Love Island 2019, Maura Higgins patrolled the cages of Bellator MMA. She is arguably the most successful crossover star in the industry, having transformed her early modeling days into a dominant media career.

• Global Presence: By 2026, her net worth is expected to reach up to $6 million following major roles on The Traitors US and rumors of a transition into scripted acting.
• High-End Endorsements: Higgins currently holds a six-figure deal with Victoria’s Secret and previously secured a £500,000+ partnership with Ann Summers.

3. Kourtney Kellar Hartenstein: The High-Society Dual Threat

Estimated Net Worth: £4 million ($5 million)
Kourtney Kellar Hartenstein has Masterfully navigated the worlds of elite sports and luxury modeling. While she is a mainstay on covers like Maxim and Cigar Snob, she also holds a degree in Athletic Training.

• Sporting Royalty: Married to NBA center Isaiah Hartenstein, her lifestyle has been chronicled in People Magazine, though she maintains her own financial independence through high-fashion contracts and a massive social media following.

4. Arianny Celeste: The Undisputed Veteran

Estimated Net Worth: £3.6 million ($4.5 million)
Since her 2006 debut, Arianny Celeste has been the face of the UFC’s Octagon Girls. Even after stepping back from full-time ring duties in 2024, her wealth continues to grow through savvy business investments.

• Digital Empire: With nearly 3 million Instagram followers, Celeste earns an estimated $230,000 to $315,000 annually through digital brand collaborations alone.
• Media Ventures: She is reportedly slated to host a new show under the UFC banner, proving that longevity in the sport pays off.

The New Guard: Rise of the Influencer Ring Girl

While the veterans have established multi-million pound foundations, a new generation is using the “Misfits Boxing” and YouTube-led boxing era to accelerate their earnings.

• Apollonia Llewellyn (£800k): Known as “Barbi,” she is the face of the new influencer boxing circuit. She manages her own agency and her own clothing line, “Apollonia’s Attire”.
• Janira Kremets (£800k): Having worked corners for Canelo Alvarez and Mayweather, Kremets has parlayed her boxing fame into features for Sports Illustrated and Maxim.

The modern ring girl is no longer just a fixture of fight night; she is a brand manager, a creator, and often a business owner.

For stars like Brittney Palmer and Maura Higgins, the ring was not the destination, but the ultimate springboard to a high-net-worth future.