MMA Junkie reports that last Friday night’s Strikeforce Challengers 17 garnered an average of 232,000 viewers. The average reflects the fourth highest in “Challengers” history and an increase from 210,000 viewers for Challengers 16.
In addition, the payout list was revealed via MMA Junkie:
Bobby Voelker: $11,000 (includes $5,500 win bonus)
def. Roger Bowling: $4,500
Devin Cole: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Shawn Jordan: $4,000
Ovince St. Preux: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Joe Cason: $3,000
Sarah Kaufman: $10,000 (no win bonus)
def. Liz Carmouche: $2,500
Adlan Amagov: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Ron Stallings: $3,000
T.J. Cook: $5,000 ($2,500 win bonus)
def. Lionel Lanham: $2,000
Anthony Smith: $5,000 ($2,500 win bonus)
def. Ben Lagman: $2,000
Bill Cooper: $4,000 ($2,000 win bonus)
def. Maka Watson: $2,000
Sterling Ford: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Brian McLaughlin: $2,500
Payout Perspective:
A very good showing for the Challengers series as it appears that it may have found a home base in Vegas. The ratings on Showtime are very good considering it competed with HD Net’s offering of Legacy Fighting Championships. Kaufman’s win does not include a win bonus because there’s a clause in her contract that states that she does not receive a win bonus unless she finishes her opponent (via Chris Nelson of Sherdog). A pretty tough clause to have, but it promotes exciting fights.
If they put that clause in Jon Fitch’s contract they could cut his pay in half! 😛 Very interesting concept… makes one wonder why she let off that flurry in the third round.