MMA Junkie reports the salaries from this past Saturday’s Bellator 142. Tito Ortiz received $300,000 in a loss to light-heavyweight champion Liam McGeary. The disclosed payouts were provided by the California State Athletic Commission.
The payouts do not include the Glory Kickboxing fights held the same evening.
Liam McGeary: $50,000 (no win bonus)
def. Tito Ortiz: $300,000
Phil Davis: $130,000 (includes $65,000 win bonus)
def. Francis Carmont: $17,000
Josh Thomson: $10,000 (no win bonus)
def. Mike Bronzoulis: $10,000
Phil Davis: See above
def. Emanuel Newton: $70,000
Muhammed Lawal: $15,000 (no win bonus)
def. Linton Vassell: $30,000
Gabriel Carrasco: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus)
def. Joe Neal: $2,000
Adam Piccolotti: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus)
def. Salvador Becerra: $1,750
Thomas Diagne: $3,000 (no win bonus since fight ended in draw)
vs. Mike Malott: $2,000 (no win bonus since fight ended in draw)
Francis Carmont: See above
def. Anthony Ruiz: $5,000
Payout Perspective:
Ortiz making $300,000 is probably not too surprising. He’s still a big draw despite his advanced age. Notably, Phil Davis making $65,000 to show and another $65,000 bonus is a good start for a Bellator debut. On the other end, Josh Thomson reportedly made $10,000 without a win bonus. Media members are indicating he was paid more than this. Let’s hope so. In his last UFC fight this past July at UFC Fight Night 71, Thomson made $85,000. Also of note, King Mo made $15,000 without a win bonus while his opponent Linton Vassell made $30,000.
Those payouts dont even come close to UFC payouts no wonder why everyone wants to get to the UFC not only that but its the premier association..i see that the fighters are upset with the new reebok deal but they still get paid alot more just base salary and alot if times they throw fighters even more money in the back rooms other thsn subs or fight of the night.so i see why they try to get there.
It was a good event, it’s too bad the tournament didn’t play out the way it was supposed to, but that is the risk you take with that tournament format. I still love it and would like to see more of that in MMA, because when everything goes right they are a joy to watch.
The payout seem reasonable for a second tier organization. For fighters like Mo, there are signing bonuses and other monies that are likely not accounted for. For some reason, there are expectations that Bellator would pay out at the same level of the UFC, however, this is not a reasonable assumption.