MMA Junkie reports the salaries for UFC 145 as released by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. Jon Jones and Rashad Evans were at the top of the $1.2 million payroll.
Via MMA Junkie:
Champ Jon Jones: $400,000 (no win bonus)
def. Rashad Evans: $300,000
Rory MacDonald: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
def. Che Mills: $8,000
Ben Rothwell: $104,000 (includes $52,000 win bonus)
def. Brendan Schaub: $14,000
Michael McDonald: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Miguel Torres: $32,000
Eddie Yagin: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Mark Hominick: $17,000
Mark Bocek: $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus)
def. John Alessio: $10,000
Travis Browne: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Chad Griggs: $27,000
Matt Brown: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
def. Stephen Thompson: $8,000
Anthony Njokuani: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. John Makdessi: $12,000
Mac Danzig: $54,000 (includes $27,000 win bonus)
def. Efrain Escudero: $10,000
Chris Clements: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Keith Wisniewski: $10,000
Marcus Brimage: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Maximo Blanco: $13,000
Payout Perspective:
It’s interesting that Ben Rothwell was third highest on the payroll. Also Efrain Escudero’s return to the UFC meant a pay cut from his TUF winner contract. “Wonderboy” was the only fighter making less than $10,000. A rather low payroll despite the fact that $700,000 of the payroll was dedicated to the main event.
No doubt Evans got a cut of the PPV. Im sure by this time Jones is on a new contract that gives him a cut of the PPV too.
All of the champions get a cut of PPV (although I’m sure the amount varies based on perceived drawing power). Beyond that, it seems that certain fighters who have the popularity to negotiate a PPV cut in their contracts also get one (Rampage, Rashad, etc.).
Lorenzo told ESPN that 29 fighters get a PPV cut. Bones has been groomed to be a star since coming to the UFC, so I would be shocked if he wasnt getting PPV points since at least the Shogun fight.
But i think there is a lit of clauses in those 20 fighters contract. I bet you have to be a headliner or co headliner to get the cut. Which kind of came out during the Diaz fiasco. It would be hard for the UFC to make cards and not lose money. Plus there are always guys who are past their prime who dont headline like a Hughes or a one and done champ like Shogun.