UFC 91 fighter paydays and salaries for 'Couture vs Lesnar' tops $1.1 million
by MMAmania.com on Nov 17, 2008 2:24 PM EST
94 comments
MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) has received the fighter payouts for UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for the monster pay-per-view (PPV) event held on November 15 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
And, as we reported before the show even started, Brock Lesnar was the big winner of the evening in more ways than one, pocketing a $450,000 base salary and prying the heavyweight title from Randy Couture's grip with a second round technical knockout.
"The Natural" will of course went home with more than just bumps and bruises -- he now has an additional cool quarter million in his bank account, which could will more than likely help soften the blow of losing his belt ... a little.
Gabriel Gonzaga also cashed in, earning $110,000 for his lighting fast destruction of Josh Hendricks.
Here are all the UFC 91 payouts:
Brock Lesnar — $450,000 ($250,000 to show, $200,000 to win)
Randy Couture — $250,000
Brock Lesnar defeated Randy Couture via technical knockout (strikes) in round two
Kenny Florian — $80,000 ($ 40,000 to show, $40,000 to win)
Joe Stevenson — $35,000
Kenny Florian defeated Joe Stevenson via submission (rear naked choke) in round one
Dustin Hazelett — $28,000 ($14,000 to show, $14,000 to win)
Tamdan McCrory — $10,000
Dustin Hazelett defeated Tamdan McCrory via submission (armbar) in round one
Gabriel Gonzaga — $110,000 ($55,000 to show, $55,000 to win)
Josh Hendricks — $8,000
Gabriel Gonzaga defeated Josh Hendricks via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Demian Maia — $40,000 ($20,000 to show, $20,000 to win)
Nate Quarry — $25,000
Demian Maia defeated Nate Quarry via submission (rear naked choke) in round one
Aaron Riley — $8,000 ($4,000 to show, $4,000 to win)
Jorge Gurgel — $10,000
Aaron Riley defeated Jorge Gurgel via unanimous decision
Jeremy Stephens — $16,000 ($8.000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Rafael dos Anjos — $4,000
Jeremy Stephens defeated Rafael dos Anjos via knockout in round three
Mark Bocek — $18,000 ($9,000 to show, $9,000 to win)
Alvin Robinson — $7,000
Mark Bocek defeated Alvin Robinson via submission (rear naked choke) in round three
Matt Brown — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Ryan Thomas — $3,000
Matt Brown defeated Ryan Thomas via submission (armbar) in round two
Keep in mind the salaries listed above do not include fight bonuses, sponsorships, percentages and other unofficial payments. It also does not include deductions for expenses such as insurance, taxes, etc.
For example, the UFC often hands out extra cash for "Fight of the Night," "Knockout of the Night" and "Submission of the Night." To check out these figures for UFC 91 go here.
The total base fighter payroll for the blockbuster PPV event, which attracted a near sellout crowd of 14,272 fans and a huge gate of $4.8 million, was $1,118,000.
For complete results and coverage of "Couture vs. Lesnar" click here and here.
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same thing I was thinking, who’s going to cpmlain today.
John, this is for you since you’ve called me out all day, but can’t deliver on this one. take a break from fedor’s bals and prove this for me!!
.
. Comment by john
2008-11-17 11:53:32
BJ Penn said: "I want to fight Gsp because he uses steroids and that make shim a coward"
As much as I like GSP, he does get all nervous around BJ Penn… I dont see BJ loosing to any man at 170 lbs or less!
Comment by kevin
2008-11-17 12:16:41
John, BJ NEVER said it, if you can post a source (not muscle magazine where they admitted they misquoted him) I’ll change my name to Jon’s an mmamania god! You can google it, but you’ll never find a credible spot, hence the reason mania never posted it!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin, I dont want to take a break from Fedor’s balls! I love them more than my own life! Im not really on an internship job, I just want more time with Fedor’s balls!
by john on Nov 17, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
obviously, because in every post I said “Fedor is great,”" Fedor won’t lose to any current HW’" and “I’m a fan of Fedor.” But for some reason, (maybe he’s got a roman helmet on you) you only see the fact that I said he’s inactive and has fought one top 10 fighter in 3 years! I state facts, you shoot blanks (so fedor says).
But seriously, I didn’t bash Fedor, and I’d say the same about Randy or Tito or anyone else that decides to do movies, and lose at their “bread and butter.” so he won’t go to the UFC because he wants to fight sambo, but comes not prepared to his “bread and butter” tournament. This isn’t opinion, it’s fact, but you still argue it. If the world ended today, Fedor would be best P4P. But the world isn’t ending, and guys are catching him!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
one more thing, did you put dibs in for a corner office at the new Zuffa offices?
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats where your wrong Kevin! Fedor wouldn’t know if I shoot blanks! Because Fedor pitches and I catch! I dont want a corner office with Zuffa anymore! That will take away from me and my Fedor! YOU, HATER! HATER! HATER!
by john on Nov 17, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
anderson is a better “fighter” than fedor because he actaully fights.
by djhbv23 on Nov 17, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, kinda sad the reaction you get when you compliment, but don’t agree with everything he says about Fedor!
you used to make good points john, but you’re way too biased when it comes to Fedor, especially when i said nothing negative or derogatory, only put facts…unlike you, quoting BJ Penn saying GSP juiced, but have nothing to say or any proof because it didn’t happen.
you lose this debate, oh wait, let me spell it so you’ll get it,
you LOOSE this debate!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Loose is my butt after Fedor handles his business! You win, HATER!
by john on Nov 17, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that was kind of a gross discussion… lol
by O damn he got caught on Nov 17, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What? Sorry, but that is NOT the real john.
by chefdaddy on Nov 17, 2008 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ha i dig johns approach here! you can never go wrong with the ol’ self deprecating humor. i mean he did a much better job of insulting himself than kevin did… despite the admission that he played cell-mate for fedor, i’m gonna have to say johns the winner here! or maybe just the 2nd place loser… idk
by gobrowns on Nov 17, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no it can’t be chef, but when it comes to Fedor, he does get very possessive!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this goes back further than you know gobrowns, but I do like your name.
browns +the points and under tonight guys!!!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nah that aint the real me! what up Kev, you pompous ass? Running your mouth and bombarding me with comments with out letting me respond. YOu know me better than to provide BS information. Anytime I am not sure about the info I classify it as a rumor and let it be known. 1st of all, I dont read your BS Muscle fag magz. I read mma magazines. and the magazine I find the most prominent out of all the mma magz is FightSport. Just so happens that I picked up the new issue of it this morning, its red and it has BJ on the cover. I read the interview and thats exactly what it said Hater! Accusing me of mis info is a new low even for you kev. You know me better than that!
pick up the issue, then appologize, and then Change your name you Klown!
-The mma Gospel of John, Bitches!!!!!!
by john on Nov 17, 2008 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
thats the one I was talking about john, they already said it’s a bogus quote. I knew it wasn’t you, but you are misinformed on this one, ggogle it or mania can post the retraction!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I knew it wasn’t you john…. the other guy spelled “lose” and “loose” right….. just jackin with ya
by Psyqo78 on Nov 17, 2008 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
O.K. I’m lost but really, who gives a shit kevin and John. Really. I read alot of post and leave alot, But really, “who gives a Shit”!! Until “FEDOR” comes to the UFC he will be beating has beens!!! Big Tim is a JOKE!!! AA could not hang with “BROCK”. I am a “BROCK” lover so let the hating start. Mark my words, Fedor is overrated(Hell he may loose to AA)….
by iagoof22 on Nov 17, 2008 8:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
google it John, the magazine said it was a misprint!!!!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that doesnt mean that I made it up! and I sure as hell didnt read it in some muscle mag!
by john on Nov 18, 2008 9:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know, but this news is over a month old, and usually you’re right on about news! How did you miss this one so bad? just surprised!
by kevin on Nov 18, 2008 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
are you kidding gsp allready beat him once, penn is never in cardio condition when he fights at 170, he doesn’t have the size or strength or speed to match up with gsp
by thc sargon on Nov 18, 2008 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Demian got robbed. Seriously! Also Gurgel is overpaid.
by NameNotRequired on Nov 17, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL! Demian got robbed??? how does a basic rear naked choke look more impressive than a oma-plata armbar? seriously dude. Hazelett’s submission was WAY better.
by synyster on Nov 17, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was speaking of his base pay. For such a big prospect 40K is garbage. I definitely agree that Hazelett deserved the bonus.
by NameNotRequired on Nov 17, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh my bad dude. I think I was looking at this and the fighters award bonuses on another link at the same time. Sorry for the mix up.
by synyster on Nov 17, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No problem man, also i just read on TATAME that demian did receive a bonus from dana for the RNC. So worked out good for him like i hoped.
by NameNotRequired on Nov 17, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ANYONE WHO READS THIS POST, CHECK OUT WHAT SOME P.O.S. WROTE ABOUT AMERICANS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST. AND PLEASE, LET HIM KNOW HOW UN-WELCOME HE IS HERE! (I KNOW I DID)
by allamerican on Nov 18, 2008 9:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
wow i had no idea that gonazga made that much money i thought he pulled in like 50k tops, i guess after he koed cro cop the ufc thought they could make a star out of him and i think they can he can start stepping up when he fights top competition. I think has seen an increase in his salary and i cant wait to see bj kick his butt
by matt on Nov 17, 2008 2:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think he was reffering to Florian in the last sentence B-dub.
by Psyqo78 on Nov 17, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, why did bjs name get dropped in that post? speaking of bj, doesnt it look like lesnars gettin one in that picture at the top?!
by allamerican on Nov 17, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bj’s name got dropped cause he is going to shut up kenny florian and knock him off his high horse, i cant stand kenny florian these days
by matt on Nov 17, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
im calling a kenny florian upset!!! you heard it here first!
by brendan on Nov 17, 2008 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no, i will second it, i just wanna see his smug face after 2 losses in a row, and watch all of you whine about how he shoulda won them both but blah blah blah blah like everytime a favorite loses.
by Egads on Nov 17, 2008 9:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
also randy is making the same money he did before he walked away how about that
by matt on Nov 17, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i think he is getting a bigger ppv % and probably a bigger bonus. the ufc hands out alot of bonuses that they never release to the public. i read an interview with GSP and he said he got 500k after his last fight that the ufc never told anyone about.
by djhbv23 on Nov 17, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also Randy was suppose to get a 250k bonus if he won, That was larger then his previous flat rate of only 250K win or lose.
by dandeman on Nov 17, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Me too, I’m waiting for Mania to break the news. Remember Dana was expecting 1.2 million.
by MikeD on Nov 17, 2008 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, I wonder if they will get those #’s? If they had a better co-main event, then 1.2 looked about right! But the way the card was, who knows? And it turned out to be one of the most exciting cards of the year!
by JV on Nov 17, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i thought the rest of the card would blow but all the fights turned out to be awesome.
by djhbv23 on Nov 17, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
someone said that there was only like 500 k ppv buys! and they thought it would be over a mil.
by allamerican on Nov 17, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That was just a hater spewing shit from his mouth.
by Psyqo78 on Nov 17, 2008 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly. they may not do 1.2 mil, but they will sure as hell do over 500k.
by b.w. on Nov 17, 2008 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
b.w. I just read your post on the Fedor loses thread! Where your commenting to introvert! Dam good stuff! You see how he just ignored your post?
by JV on Nov 17, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
JV. he responded to me on another post and didnt come up with a feasable argument. just one-sided opinions.thats introvert for you though, usually he only has a 1 sentence snarky anti-dana, anti-ufc comment, but today when fedor is questioned, he became a pulitzer prize wrtier. HA! we all know fedor is a great fighter, but is it too much to ask for an mma fighter to fight in mma? doesnt look like sambo is working out to good for him anymore does it ?
by b.w. on Nov 17, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just feel like that the live gate money should be used more to pay the fighters a higher salary. they made almost 5 million just on the gate alone, I feel that that fighters should see a marjority of that money, thats why fans go to live events, share the wealth ufc.
by brian on Nov 17, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i think they do. we all know that (or should know) that the majority of the UFC superstars like Liddell, Randy, GSP, Rampage etc. have contracts with stipulations built in about a percentage of PPV buys. It only makes sense considering these are the guys that sell the event.
by Anthony on Nov 17, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The fighters are not risking their money! Who loses if the PPV buys dont come in? Who loses if the fans dont show up? The promoter has all the risk, not the fighters!
by JV on Nov 17, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well then baseball players that make millions should have to pay money back to the owners if they don’t sell out every game.
by Bigmcmac on Nov 17, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
1st: what does Baseball have to do with MMA?
2nd: I never said anything about fighters paying the promoters back!
3rd: I would continue this battle of wits with you, but your unarmed!
by JV on Nov 17, 2008 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Besides like JV says, the promoters do eat it big with the gate. I believe the arena itself gets a big cut of the proverbial pie. Is it 25 to 35% or something like that figure I am not sure. So there are people sticking their hands out waiting for cash once the event is over.
by dandeman on Nov 17, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah the fighters are just risking having their brains scambled for a couple of thousand dollars thats all. Baseball was an analogy so next time I won’t try to enter a battle of wits with pundit like yourself
by Bigmcmac on Nov 17, 2008 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think most of the salaries are fine except the under 20K’s. There should be a minimum base salary for these fighters, $4,000 to get knocked the “f” out sucks.
by MikeD on Nov 17, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i guess thats why you shouldnt get knocked the “f” out. haha
by djhbv23 on Nov 17, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yea but he deserves at least a knocked the “f” out bonus haha
by MikeD on Nov 17, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
1 million is a fair share for the fighters, plus some of them will take in some of the PPV revenue. The distribution of the live gate has to account for the production team, the UFC, and other individuals involved in the event. This is the problem that caused the other companies to fail, yes the fighters should receive more because they put themselves on the line, but as a fighter would you rather earn less but know that you have a guaranteed number of fights or earn $800K like Tim Sylvia but not having a guaranteed payday in the future.
by Diablo on Nov 17, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i think the bare minimum of all contracts should be 20 K
this is easily done!
imagine 1.2 million buys at close to 50$ a pop!
60 MILLION!
and only 1.1 of that (base) went to the fighters….
good thing the UFC gives out alot of behind the scenes cash,as well as sponsorships and the usual yada yada!
salaries looked good except for the 3,000
by SoCalStunNa on Nov 17, 2008 3:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
why do you care? UFC has to pay more than just fighters, production crew arena crew, and not to mention guys who run the company!
more importantly did I ask, why do you guys care so much what other people make?
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
its not that i “care” and will lose sleep over anypay of tothers.
however with all that goes into to the sport, it is my OPINION that a base salary for getting into the cage and FIGHTING for YOUR and MY entertainment, should be higher!
by SoCalStunNa on Nov 17, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
added with fotn, kotn, and sotn, Hazelett made 88,000 Heathen made 76,000 and riley and gurgel made 78,000 and 80,000. thats crazy. Jorge earns 80,000 for losing.
by synyster on Nov 17, 2008 3:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Is so funy reading comments from people that don’t own a company or know anything about running a business give crap to an organization that its worth over 2 billion dollars…
i’m sure the ZUFFA cmes here to read the comments so they can learn how to do business and how to pay employees.
Yes, u guys keep schooling ZUFFA, they dont know s**t
by TequiLa on Nov 17, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
About time your willing to admit that so we can move on and keep posting our sage like business advice..
by O damn he got caught on Nov 17, 2008 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
QUESTION!!!!!
i am on this site EVERY day, why are some people’s name’s highlighted (ie: Kevin)
cause their a stableon the site!?
just curious
by SoCalStunNa on Nov 17, 2008 3:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
because I’m the man!!! no because I have a link, if you click my name it takes you to my myspace page!
by kevin on Nov 17, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
a slap in the face to randy couture. the current hw champ got paid almost half what the challenger got paid??? outcome doesn’t matter…this was the scale before the fight when couture was still hw champ. that is ridiculous!
by B_Hos on Nov 17, 2008 3:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yea it definatley doesn’t add any credability to the argument that “Randy Couture is just a money hungry scumbag and his name should be changed to Captain Paycheck”. Doesn’t seem to be the case here..
by O damn he got caught on Nov 17, 2008 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They each got paid $250k to fight. Brock got another $200k for the win, if Randy had won he would have received $250k. The reason Brock makes so much is b/c they realize he would sell TONS more ppv’s than most fighters (Randy included).
by chefdaddy on Nov 17, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ahhh….jeeeez! my bad….i read it wrong! yeah, they each got paid $250K to show.
by B_Hos on Nov 17, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So WHEN ARE THEY ANNOUnCING UFC 95 HURRY UP ALREADY!!!!!!!1
by Colin D on Nov 17, 2008 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
it said earlier silva vs chuck in the works that seems plausible because chuck realizes his career is basically done all the new fighters are getting passed him its do or die if he beats silva theres no denying him a title shot and if he loses he can just pull off a couture and retire
by Jared on Nov 17, 2008 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was one of the doubters of this fight happening and now it seems to be coming to fruition.
by Psyqo78 on Nov 17, 2008 7:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bad money for all the fighters on this card! they need to raise it up. especially now that they got all the exposure to media.
by RoB on Nov 17, 2008 8:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Gurgel and Robinson sure dont make much considering how many UFC fights they each have.
by DirtyML on Nov 17, 2008 9:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yo little MAnny PAcquiao would get 11 million dollars for a fight!!
makes the 1 million look small for all the fighters who participated…
by nam on Nov 18, 2008 4:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
whahahah you louzy amerricans still cant handle that Fedor is the best fighter alive….. ever…..
just get over it man you acting like little babys and shit
by thisisajoke on Nov 18, 2008 6:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
louzy americans huh…..what f*ckin 3rd world country do you hail from you piece of sh*t. i’ll fly over just to sh*t on you and f*ck all the women in your family in front of you!!!!
there, now i feel little better about the louzy americans comment…
by allamerican on Nov 18, 2008 9:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
i can just picture you now you little f*ckin rat. you probably live in a tunnel like that piece o sh*t bin laden. and your wife probably has more hair than f*ckin gabriel gonzaga!
by allamerican on Nov 18, 2008 9:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Can someone answer this for me?
How is it the UFC can make over $4 million at the gate alone and only be paying fighters $1.181 million? I can maybe see the logic in that if there was no PPV income, but doesn’t the UFC also stand to make $30-$40 million plus on PPV as well?
I know that some of the fighters gets a cut of the PPV, but WTF! I don’t want to see guys fighting that have to worry about finances. If you are good enough to be in the UFC, one fight should set you up so you can train all year long without having to worry about money…it would make the quality of the fighters better and be better for the fans.
I am not advocating overpaying anyone, but if I were going to train for 3 months and was elite enough to fight in a major UFC card, I would be making at least 6 figures/fight. There is enough to pay all fighters at least 6 figures/fight.
Am I way off base? Why is the UFC conceivably keepibng 95%+ of fight revenues and only paying out 5% or less to fighters? Someone enlighten me if so.
by noneed4name on Nov 18, 2008 12:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
30-40 million on the ppv?? where is that # from? the cable company takes 50-60% of ppv buys, some fighters get percentage. If UFC makes 25% off ppv buys, they made (assuming 500k buys) 5.5 million on ppv’s. the 1.1 pay out doesn’t include camera men, directors, editors, producers, security, announcers, etc. get the idea. you guys kill me more and more every day!
by kevin on Nov 18, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
44.95 × 1M ppv buys, is 44950000 on ppv, plus 5M on gate receipts which directly goes to the promoter. so 50% to the ppv distributor but i don’t think its that high coz they ain’t hbo. Minus 1.1M on salaries. UFC assuming the percentage is right, gets as much as 20M+ on revenue.
FIGHTERS are totally underpaid.
by poogeh on Apr 21, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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