The last time we saw Fabio Maldonado, he was getting his head taken off by rising superstar Glover Teixeira back at UFC 153: "Silva vs. Bonnar" on Oct. 13, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro. It was a brutal defeat and marked the third loss in a row for the Brazilian boxer.
Considering the circumstances, it wasn't out of line to think he would be cut from the promotion. Three strikes and you're out and all that.
But not only did UFC President Dana White promise Maldonado wouldn't be released, he cut the light heavyweight an even bigger check than he was supposed to get, as revealed on Facebook:
"This is a good or bad news. I just got a check in the mail from UFC, and I would like to share with friends and fans that for the fourth time, even getting my ass whooped like I had last fight, the UFC sent me more money than I would get if I had won the fights. Thanks Dana, Lorenzo, Joe Silva."
It should be noted that Maldonado accepted the Teixeira fight on short notice, so this could simply be the UFC rewarding one of its fighters for stepping up and helping out when needed.
He took a ton of damage in the process but that extra cash should help heal the pain.