After UFC president Dana White revealed last year that the promotion’s largest single payout was $5 million, we were left to speculate as to the unnamed fighter’s identity. A short list that includes names like Brock Lesnar and Chuck Liddell, it seems the record setting payday went to former welterweight champion Geroges St-Pierre.
Speaking with heavyweight Brendan Schaub on the subject of fighter pay, UFC commentator Joe Rogan named St-Pierre as the UFC’s top earner.
“When you look at pay, there’s a pay that’s listed as far as the purse you get after the fight,” said Rogan. “That doesn’t take into account a lot of factors. There’s a lot of things they want to remain private. You’re not just getting paid that amount. Some people are. But when a guy is selling tickets, a big name fighter, there’s a lot of factors in there. Incentives, pieces of Pay Per View. Georges St-Pierre was making $5 million a fight.
“He’s making a lot of f***ing money. He’s got sponsors, Gatorade, all this other stuff. Other revenue coming in. Georges St-Pierre made a f**k load of money fighting.”
The numbers would seem to correspond with a 2013 report from Forbes. Last year the business magazine reported GSP’s annual income at $12 million, $9 million of which he earned through fighting. The former champ also holds multi-year, seven-figure endorsement deals with apparel brand Under Armour, MMA equipment manufacturer Hayaboosa and Coca-Cola.
(comments begin at 17:00)
5 MUST-READ STORIES
All things Dana. Dana White talks UFC on Fox 11, Gina Carano’s contract, Cris Cyborg’s loss, recent cuts and more.
Fingers crossed. As long as Cain Velasques is ready by November, the winner of Travis Browne vs. Fabricio Werdum will face the champ in Mexico.
‘Life goes on.’ Dana White says Nate and Nick Diaz need to play ball. “You can sit out, talk all you want, tweet all you want, you can do whatever you want. The bus is going to pass you by.”
Brawl’s fault. Chael Sonnen’s fight with Wanderlei Silva was repeatedly pushed back because the Brazilian injured his back filming TUF: Brazil 3.
Shields to WSOF. Former UFC welterweight contender Jake Shields has signed a multi-fight agreement with World Series of Fighting.
MEDIA STEW
UFC on FOX 11 pre-fight presser highlights.
Fabricio Werdum thinks he’ll finish Travis Browne once it hits the ground.
Nice profile on Douglas Lima before his title fight with Rick Hawn.
The fighting Meins.
Travis Browne living that heavyweight lifestyle.
Don’t see these everyday.
Long watches.
Dana White UFC on FOX 11 pre-fight scrum video
…
UFC on FOX 11 press conference video
…
UFC Central Radio with Elias Theodorou and Chad Laprise
TWEETS
Scary.
I was hit front behind my back hurts http://t.co/nYgPqo8WcF
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) April 17, 2014
Real talk.
@titoortiz I already signed my contract. I fight you at 205, at your weight. Step up and fight me. Stop the excuses
— Shlemenko Alexander (@StormShlemenko) April 17, 2014
Congrats!
Good Friday and welcoming our lil girl maisey into this crazy world http://t.co/UJZSisKowJ
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) April 18, 2014
What am I, chopped liver?
@BloodyElbow 0-10 in staff predictions in my fight…. pic.twitter.com/XJqXfzqw4x
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) April 17, 2014
Get well soon.
Massive thanks to @DustinPoirier for a memarable night. It takes two to Tango… @ufc #FOTN pic.twitter.com/sYm3ozPJB4
— Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) April 17, 2014
I guess he can get away with it.
“I’m the greatest” presente do meu amigo pedrozanette ,é isso que nois somos!!! é nois irmão abs http://t.co/FDVidUFh8p
— Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo (@josealdojunior) April 18, 2014
Not enough violence or freeze rays.
See how #Duralast brakes from @AutoZone saves a marriage. It’s a new Duralast Tough of Legend. #proventough http://t.co/9Y8TAju64C
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) April 17, 2014
Can’t top Ghost Adventures.
San Francisco bound to help out my boys @MythBusters this one is gonna be good peeps! 😉
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 18, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Apr. 17 2014)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via DirtyBird2.
New Champion! BellatorMMA117 FULL Rundown
Last week’s Bellator event saw tons of exciting fights and lots of finishes. Lets hope this one is no different.
Coming at you from the Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States on April 14, 2014 is BellatorMMA 117.A New champion will be crowned that night. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
Main card
Douglas Lima (25-5-0) vs Rick Hawn (18-2-0) – Douglas Lima has been on a tear scoring 4 straight KO victories since his loss to former WW champ Ben Askren. He will finally get another shot at the gold when he faces fellow Bellator WW tournament winner Rick “Genghis” Hawn who is on a 4 fight win streak himself (2 Ko’s , 2 decisions) with the same goal in mind. Rick’s best chance here is to use his Olympic judoka background and press Lima against the cage, take him down and work from there, but against the likes of Lima that is a tough task. Lima is a huge WW who cut’s down from 205. Even when Aksren got him down he was always attacking from bottom. I believe Lima will be able to stuff most of Hawns takedowns and light him up on the feet. Prediction: Lima 1st round KO
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.