TUF 12 Finale Fighter Salaries: Maia, Bonnar top earners

The Nevada State Athletic Commission disclosed its list of salaries from this past Saturday night’s TUF 12 Finale at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.

Via MMA Junkie:

Jonathan Brookins: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Michael Johnson: $8,000

Stephan Bonnar: $62,000 ($31,000 win bonus)
def. Igor Pokrajac: $10,000

Demian Maia: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus)
def. Kendall Grove: $28,000

Rick Story: $26,000 ($13,000 win bonus)
def. Johny Hendricks: $22,000

Leonard Garcia: $32,000 ($16,000 win bonus)
def. Nam Phan: $8,000

Cody McKenzie: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Aaron Wilkinson: $8,000

Ian Loveland: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Tyler Toner: $3,000

Kyle Watson: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Sako Chivitchian: $8,000

Nick Pace: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Will Campuzano: $3,000

Pablo Garza: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Fredson Paixao: $4,000

David Branch: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Rich Attonito: $8,000

The total payroll for the event was $398,000 which included bonuses for Fight of the Night, Submission of the Night and Knockout of the Night of $30,000 each.  The UFC raised its bonuses $5,000 from TUF 11 when the bonuses were $25,000.

According to Phan, Dana White awarded him the fighter’s win bonus as a result of the controversial decision with Leonard Garcia. The payroll may not include additional “locker room” bonuses made by the UFC.

Payout Perspective:

Awarding Phan the win bonus is an inexpensive PR move for the UFC. It not only satisfies Phan, it only cost the UFC $8,000, but it addresses the overwhelming fan disgust for the judges’ decision. It also indicates, without saying, that the UFC did not agree with the decision. The UFC cannot do this every time a decision turns out wrong, but I believe the fan reaction during the post-fight interview prompted the move. It looked bad on television and put Leonard Garcia in a bad spot. The UFC could have ordered a rematch, but awarding Phan the winner’s purse was a good alternative.