MMA Junkie reports that the fighters from Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy were paid their show money from the recently cancelled card. Several fighters confirmed payment and sources indicated that all 19 fighters scheduled for the card would be compensated.
The report did not state the amount of money each fighter received although the speculation is that all will receive at least their show money. The event scheduled for Saturday night and to be shown on Showtime was officially cancelled on Sunday night due to an injury to Gilbert Melendez.
According to the article, a promoter is required to give “reasonable compensation” to fighters if an event is cancelled 24 hours prior to an event. Although there was no obligation to compensate the fighters here, Zuffa decided to do so.
Payout Perspective:
Dana White intimated that UFC 151 fighters were “taken care of” and it made sense for Zuffa to pay Strikeforce fighters here as the second cancelled event in as many months is bad precedent. At least with paying its fighters, the company appeases those that trained for their fights as the event was cancelled through no fault of its own. It also is a PR move as a sign that the company is still viable and that the cancellation does not equate to any problems with the company.
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