UFC 64 medical suspensions and payouts

All the pride and glory that must come along with being a mixed martial arts fighter in the UFC certainly comes at a painful price.

Rich Franklin, who lost his middleweight belt to fellow 185-pounder Anderson Silva this past weekend, sustained a gruesome-looking nose fracture during the fight.

As a result, he is under a medical suspension and must receive the green light from an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon to ensure that the nose has healed properly before he can fight again.

Otherwise, he won't be able to fight until April 9, 2007, according to the State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry Athletic Commission.

And for all the hard work and sacrifice training to get ready for his third title defense, as well as the punishment suffered in the Octagon, Franklin earned only $21,000. He missed out on a $21,000 win bonus, according to purse information released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

On the other hand, "The Spider" collected $50,000 for his sensational efforts.

Quick question: Why would Silva be making more than Franklin?

Anywho, here's the other noteworthy fallout from the rest of the evening:

-- Sean Sherk, who earned $22,000 for winning the then vacant UFC lightweight crown, is under medical suspension until November 14, 2006, because of a severe cut sustained during the tilt. The challenger, Kenny Florian, pocketed $8,000 for his failed attempt at the title.

-- Rising welterweight phenom Jon Fitch picked up $20,000 for his impressive victory over Kuniyoshi Hironaka. However, Fitch like Franklin also broke his nose during his bout and is under medical suspension until November 29, 2006. He, too, cannot return to the Octagon until he is cleared by an ENT surgeon. Otherwise, he is out until April 9, 2007. Hironaka, who took a beating during the fight, is under medical suspension until December 14, 2006.

-- The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) alum from season three, Kalib Starnes, needs a CT scan of his head and face to rule out facial fractures, as well as a right arm X-ray, before he can return to action. The earliest he will be able to return if everything checks out is November 29, 2006. Even though he lost to Yushin Okami, Starnes still took home $5,000.

The UFC announced that 10,863 fans packed the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC 64: "Unstoppable" to the tune of $2,314,000 at the gate.