UFC on Fox 7 paydays: Henderson, Mir top roster
April 21, 2013
MMA Junkie reports the UFC on Fox 7 salaries with Benson Henderson and Frank Mir earning the most. Surprisingly, Nate Diaz earned only $15,000 for his KO loss to Josh Thomson.
Via MMA Junkie:
Benson Henderson: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
def. Gilbert Melendez: $175,000
Daniel Cormier: $126,000 (includes $63,000 win bonus)
def. Frank Mir: $200,000
Josh Thomson: $95,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Nate Diaz: $15,000
Matt Brown: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus)
def. Jordan Mein: $16,000
Chad Mendes: $56,000 (includes $28,000 win bonus)
def. Darren Elkins: $24,000
Francis Carmont: $38,000 (includes $19,000 win bonus)
def. Lorenz Larkin: $23,000
Myles Jury: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Ramsey Nijem: $14,000
Joseph Benavidez: $66,000 (includes $33,000 win bonus)
def. Darren Uyenoyama: $12,000
T.J. Dillashaw: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
def. Hugo Viana: $8,000
Jorge Masvidal: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Means: $10,000
Anthony Njorkuani: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
def. Roger Bowling: $12,000
Yoel Romero: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Clifford Starks: $8,000
Payout Perspective:
Notably Gilbert Melendez earned $175,000 for his UFC debut. Henderson’s $100K/$100K payday is part of his new contract with the UFC. Its a step up from his $39K/$39K deal he had last December. Somewhat of a surprise was Nate Diaz’s $15K for his fight Saturday. In Diaz’s last fight against Henderson in December, he earned $50K. Diaz, a former TUF winner that earned a “six figure contract” with the UFC, changed managers prior to this fight. Saturday’s payday could be a result or repercussion of the manager change.
TUF 17 payouts: Faber, Tate head list of salaries
April 15, 2013
MMA Fighting reports the TUF 17 Finale salaries for Saturday night’s event. The payroll of $508,500 was topped by main event winner Urijah Faber.
Via MMA Fighting:
Urijah Faber $110,000 ($55,000 base; $55,000 win bonus)
Scott Jorgensen $23,500
Kelvin Gastelum $16,000 ($8,000 base; $8,000 win bonus)
Uriah Hall $8,000
Cat Zingano $14,000 ($7,000 base; $7,000 win bonus)
Miesha Tate $28,000
Travis Browne $40,000 ($20,000 base; $20,000 win bonus)
Gabriel Gonzaga $24,000
Bubba McDaniel $16,000 ($8,000 base; $8,000 win bonus)
Gilbert Smith $8,000
Josh Samman $16,000 ($8,000 base; $8,000 win bonus)
Kevin Casey $8,000
Luke Barnatt $16,000 ($8,000 base; $8,000 win bonus)
Collin Hart $8,000
Dylan Andrews $16,000 ($8,000 base; $8,000 win bonus)
Jimmy Quinlan $8,000
Clint Hester $16,000 ($8,000 base; $8,000 win bonus)
Bristol Marunde $8,000
Cole Miller $42,000 ($21,000 base; $21,000 win bonus)
Bart Palaszewski $15,000
Maximo Blanco $26,000 ($13,000 base; $13,000 win bonus)
Sam Sicilia $8,000
Daniel Pineda $26,000 ($13,000 base; $13,000 win bonus)
Justin Lawrence $8,000
Payout Perspective:
No real surprise that Faber earned the most on this card. But is anyone else a little surprised that Miesha Tate was second in base salary on this card in her debut in the UFC. Gonzaga and Jorgenson right behind Tate in base salary at $24K and $23.5K respectively.
UFC 157 Salaries: Hendo leads payroll at $250K
February 27, 2013
MMA Junkie reports the payouts for UFC 157. Dan Henderson topped the list of reported salaries released by the California State Athletic Commission.
The payroll for the event was $1,173,050.
Via MMA Junkie:
Ronda Rousey: $90,000 (includes $45,000 win bonus)
def. Liz Carmouche: $12,000
Lyoto Machida: $200,000 (no win bonus)
def. Dan Henderson: $250,000
Urijah Faber: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus)
def. Ivan Menjivar: $17,000
Court McGee: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Neer: $16,000
Robbie Lawler: $105,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Koscheck: $78,000
Brendan Schaub: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
def. Lavar Johnson: $29,000
Mike Chiesa: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Anton Kuivanen: $8,000
Dennis Bermudez: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Matt Grice: $8,000
Sam Stout: $52,000 (includes $26,000 win bonus)
def. Caros Fodor: $15,000
Kenny Robertson: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Brock Jardine: $8,000
Neil Magny: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Jon Manley: $8,000
Nah-Shon Burrell: $12,500 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
def. Yuri Villefort: $6,550*
Payout Perspective:
Rousey starts out at a $45K/$45K salary although its likely that herself and Liz Carmouche received unreported bonuses for their performances and exceeding expectations. Henderson and Machida were the most expensive match and one of the worst on the card. Interesting that Robbie Lawler’s base was $95,000 in his return to the UFC. Machida and Henderson combined for $450,000 of the payroll. Nah-Shon Burrell missed weight and despite winning he forfeited a portion of his purse to Villefort.
UFC 156 Payouts: Overeem/Evans big winners
February 4, 2013
MMA Junkie reports the salaries for UFC 156. Despite losing on Saturday night, Rashad Evans and Alistair Overeem top the list of fighters as the UFC had a payroll over $1.7 million.
Via MMA Junkie:
Jose Aldo: $240,000 (includes $120,000 win bonus)
def. Frankie Edgar: $120,000
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: $174,000 (includes $67,000 win bonus)
def. Rashad Evans: $300,000
Antonio Silva: $70,000 (includes no win bonus)
def. Alistair Overeem: $285,714.29
Demian Maia: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus)
def. Jon Fitch: $66,000
Joseph Benavidez: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus)
def. Ian McCall: $9,000
Evan Dunham: $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus)
def. Gleison Tibau: $33,000
Tyron Woodley: $87,000 (includes $43,500 win bonus)
def. Jay Hieron: $12,000
Bobby Green: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Jacob Volkmann: $22,000
Isaac Vallie-Flagg: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Yves Edwards: $21,000
Dustin Kimura: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Chico Camus: $8,000
Payout Perspective:
Interesting that Edgar and Aldo make the same base amount. Evans is a draw and his salary reflects it. It will be interesting to see what happens when/if his fight contract ends to see what the UFC will do in terms of restructuring (read: lower). In addition, Overeem’s $286K (rounding up) purse will include ⅓ of his $1 million signing bonus. So, Overeem will make approximately $619K for Saturday night. Its not known if any of his purse/bonus would be paid to Golden Glory as part of that settlement. We still list Evans as the top paid for the card based on the reported payouts excluding any other bonuses not reported.
An interesting fact is that 7 out of 20 or 35% of the fighters had $10K/$10K (show/win) or lower fight contracts and 4 out of 20 or 20% of the fighters had $100K/$100K contracts. (via MMA Supremacy).
Jackson says UFC misstates PPV numbers
January 30, 2013
MMA Mania reports that Quentin “Rampage” Jackson claims that the UFC misstates its PPV numbers to its fighters. Jackson’s statement is part of the on again, off again relationship he has had with the company.
In an interview with MMA Heat Jackson indicated that Zuffa is taking advantage of its fighters by telling the fighters one number on PPV buys while representing to the press a higher number. This affects fighters that are receiving a percentage of the PPV buys. Thus, the claim is that UFC is not paying its fighters with PPV upside in their contracts the true PPV buys.
Payout Perspective:
Sour grapes by the outgoing Jackson? He was really mad that he was prevented from wearing Reebok, a new ‘Page sponsor, but he wore it anyway. He even held his shoe up to the camera before entering the octagon. His PPV claim probably perked the ears of Bellator’s legal counsel in its current litigation with Eddie Alvarez. As we know, PPV buy rates are an issue and Jackson’s statements hold him out as a potential witness for the lawsuit. It also holds him out to potential liability if Dana White, et al. want to sue Jackson for defamation. UFC can sue, if it wants to disprove Jackson’s statements. But, with the UFC usually holding its numbers close would it be willing to do it to prove that in a public lawsuit?
Strikeforce salaries has War Master on top
January 14, 2013
MMA Junkie reports the final Strikeforce salaries for Saturday’s event. Josh Barnett topped the list of earners with $250,000
Via MMA Junkie as released by the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission:
Tarec Saffiedine: $39,000 (includes $19,500 win bonus)
def. Nate Marquardt: $40,000
Daniel Cormier: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus)
def. Dion Staring: $8,000
Josh Barnett: $250,000 (no win bonus)
def. Nandor Guelmino: $12,000
Gegard Mousasi: $175,000 (no win bonus)
def. Mike Kyle: $25,000
Ronaldo Souza: $100,500 (includes $28,000 win bonus)
def. Ed Herman: $34,000
Ryan Couture: $22,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
def. KJ Noons: $41,000
Tim Kennedy: $80,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
def. Trevor Smith: $8,000
Pat Healy: $42,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Kurt Holobaugh: $9,000
Roger Gracie: $94,000 (includes $47,000 win bonus)
def. Anthony Smith: $10,000
Adriano Martins: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Jorge Gurgel: $10,000
Estevan Payan: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Michael Bravo: $6,000
Payout Perspective:
Some high priced fighters on this very last Strikeforce card: Barnett and Mousasi with six figure show salaries. Daniel Cormier and Ronaldo Souza made six figures with their win bonuses. Its interesting to see Barnett with such a high purse. Also, Roger Gracie receiving a $47,000/$47,000 deal. We’ll see how many on this roster will make the UFC.
JDS ($400K) tops salaries for UFC 155
December 31, 2012
MMA Junkie reports the salaries as provided by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Cain Velasquez made $200K while the former champ, Junior dos Santos made $400K.
Via MMA Junkie:
Champ Cain Velasquez: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
def. Junior Dos Santos: $400,000
Jim Miller: $82,000 (includes $41,000 win bonus)
def. Joe Lauzon: $27,000
Constantinos Philippou: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Boetsch: $37,000
Yushin Okami: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus)
def. Alan Belcher: $37,000
Derek Brunson: $30,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Leben: $51,000
Eddie Wineland: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Brad Pickett: $17,000
Erik Perez: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Bryon Bloodworth $6,000
Jamie Varner: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Melvin Guillard: $42,000
Myles Jury: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Michael Johnson $14,000
Todd Duffee: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Phil De Fries: $14,000
Max Holloway: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Leonard Garcia: $20,000
John Moraga: $22,000 (includes $11,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Cariaso: $12,000
As always, the reported salaries do not include any locker room or sponsor bonuses.
Payout Perspective:
Jim Miller was the only other fighter outside of the main event that hit six figures on Saturday night with his fight of the night bonus to earn a reported $147,000. Joe Lauzon made $92,000. As expected, the top of the card made the most with JDS earning three times (excluding Cain’s win bonus) more than Cain. According to MMA Junkie, the reported total payroll was $1.261 million.
TUF 16 Finale payouts
December 17, 2012
MMA Fighting reports the salaries for the TUF 16 Finale. Mike Pyle was the top earner of the night as he earned $78,000.
Via MMA Fighting:
Roy Nelson ($24,000 + $24,000 = $48,000) def. Matt Mitrione ($12,000)
Colton Smith ($8,000 + $8,000 = $16,000) def. Mike Ricci ($8,000)
Pat Barry ($22,000 + $22,000 =$44,000) def. Shane del Rosario ($20,000)
Dustin Poirier ($17,000 + $17,000 = $34,000) def. Jonathan Brookins ($20,000)
Mike Pyle ($39,000 + $39,000 = $78,000) def. James Head ($12,000)
Johnny Bedford ($8,000 + $8,000 = $16,000) def. Marcos Vinicius ($8,000)
Rustam Khabilov ($8,000 + $8,000 = $16,000) def. Vinc Pichel ($8,000)
Anthony Waldburger ($14,000 + $14,000 = $28,000) def. Nick Catone ($13,000)
Hugo Viana ($8,000 + $8,000 = $16,000) def. Reuben Duran ($8,000)
Mike Rio ($8,000 + $8,000 = $16,000) def. John Cofer ($8,000)
Tim Elliott ($6,000 + $6,000 = $12,000) def. Jared Papazian ($6,000)
Payout Perspective:
Interesting that Pyle earned the highest base on Saturday night. Of course, he has been a UFC veteran since 2009. Mitrione and Nelson entered the UFC at the same time (December 2009) via TUF 10. However, Nelson’s pay scale has accelerated faster. Mitrione’s base has only improved by $2,000 since his UFC 137 loss in October 2011. He has had bad luck as two of his scheduled fights were put off due to injury on the part of the other fighter.
Pacquiao-Marquez Payout Perspective
December 13, 2012
Welcome to a special edition of Payout Perspective as we take a look at Pacquiao-Marquez IV. The fourth fight probably will not be the last as Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez Planks Pacquiao
In what was the most intense and violent of the four fights, Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out Manny Pacquiao with a counter right hand on the button with just one second left in the sixth round. The KO gave JMM the first win, and the most devastating in their rivalry.
For Pacquiao, it’s a forgettable 2012 with two straight losses. With such a devastating KO, one wonders if it’s wise to continue to fight. There’s no question that he’s going to fight but it appears that he is fighting more for others than he is for himself. This could prove to be a dangerous proposition for Pacquiao if his heart is not in it anymore.
On a side note, Freddie Roach is having as bad a year as Pacquiao. Not only did his star pupil lose twice this year, but Roach lost Amir Khan after Khan was upset by Danny Garcia and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. lost in his big showdown against Sergio Martinez.
Attendance and gate
Bad Left Hook reports that the attendance and gate figures show a sell out with a $10.8 million gate and attendance of 15,430 with 904 comps. It comes in second this year to the Mayweather-Cotto fight on May 5th which had a gate of a little over $12 million.
Payouts
Manny Pacquiao will receive up to $30 million for last Saturday’s fight. The $30 million includes a PPV cut of the buys. The night’s winner, Marquez, will only receive $3 million as he took a pay cut from their November 2011 fight. This should likely change if and when we see a fifth fight. It’s likely that Pacquiao will still earn more than Marquez although JMM should get a bigger cut of the pie.
Prefight Promotion
Top Rank streamed a Manny Pacquiao workout from the Wildcard Gym on its web site. In addition, it was aired in Times Square. A good promotion to serve as a reminder for those walking on the street in New York that Pacquiao has a fight coming up.
In addition to the mandatory 24/7 series, TNT included an additional program with the NBA on TNT’s Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller to promote the fight. It was shown after the NBA on TNT on Thursday night so it aired pretty late on both coasts. It was heavily promoted and talked about on the post-game show by Barkley and the other studio hosts.
The NBA on TNT also provided in game promos for the fight on its Thursday night prime time games. It helped that Barkley and Miller are fight fans as they talked about the fights even after the promo spots were done.
Reruns of the first three fights were available on the Audience Network and HBO. Although listings indicated that the fights were rerun on ESPN, I did not see them.
A new ad campaign for Wonderful Pistachios featuring Manny Pacquiao launched on Monday Night Football. More on this in the sponsorship section.
Pacquiao made his usual appearance on Jimmy Kimmel. Maybe after these last two losses he decides to go with Leno or Letterman.
Sponsorships
There were six official sponsors for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight: Tecate, Wonderful Pistachios, the Cinemax show, “Banshee,” the movie, “Django,” Filipino wireless provider, Smart and Mexican wireless provider, Telcel.
Tecate once again served as the official beer sponsor and offered its usual PPV discount. If anyone has benefited from this, please let me know as I have never seen this offer in my area.
Paramount Farms’ Wonderful Pistachios chose Manny Pacquiao for its “Get Crackin” ad campaign featuring the boxer. Pacquiao joins an eclectic group of pop culture figures including Snooki and Snoop Dogg to sponsor the company. He is the only athlete on the list.
The “Get Crackin” slogan signage was around the ring and on Pacquiao’s shorts. Unfortunately for Manny, the sponsor received a lot of visibility when he lay face down on the canvas.
The pistachio deal is for one year and is in the neighborhood of six figures according to the Sports Business Journal (subscription required).
Conclusion
A pre-PPV buy estimate for this fight had it at 1 million buys which seems about right. There was little buzz for this fight outside of the hardcore boxing/Pacquiao/Marquez fans despite the synergy of Time Warner. With the ending of number 4, a 5th fight would exceed 1 million buys based on how good a fight it was plus the added interest in seeing how Pacquiao rebounds.
Pacquiao payout this Saturday could be $30 million
December 5, 2012
Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports reports that Manny Pacquiao could earn up to $30 million for his fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez will receive $3 million for this Saturday’s fight.
According to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Pacquiao will earn an $8.595 million fight purse with Marquez receiving $3 million. However, Pacquiao will receive a cut of the PPV and foreign TV earnings which are estimated between $25-$30 million.
According to Top Rank, closed circuit locations for the fight are up from the Pacquiao-Marquez III in 2011. Despite the loss in June, it appears that the Pacquiao popularity continues.
Payout Perspective:
Saturday night’s PPV is estimated to be between 1 million and 1.3 million buys – which is the amount from their last fight in November 2011. The article did not indicate whether Pacquiao is receiving a portion of the closed circuit money. Also, it does not state whether Marquez is receiving an upside of the PPV.
Pacquiao earned $26 million for his last fight whereas his opponent Timothy Bradley made $5 million. Interesting enough, Marquez made $5 million for Pacquiao-Marquez III and could have earned up to $5 million from PPV. So, Marquez is making less and it’s not clear whether he is receiving a cut of the PPV.
