The old saying “everybody loves a winner” is doubly true in mixed martial arts when that winner claims victory via knockout or submission. The finale show for The Ultimate Fighter 16 was full of early stoppages, with only two fights going the distance, and when the salaries were announced for the card, it was nice to see three knockout winners take home the biggest paychecks for their efforts.
Leading the way was Mike Pyle, who pocketed a total of $78,000 for his first-round TKO win over James Head. Following Pyle was Roy Nelson, who pulled down $48,000 for his first-round knockout of Matt Mitrione. And coming in third was Pat Barry, who took home $44,000 for his second-round knockout of Shane del Rosario.
The fourth-highest-paid fighter on the card, Melvin Guillard, didn’t even have to step into the cage to earn his check of $42,000. Guillard’s fight with Jamie Varner was scratched from the card whenVarner fell ill before the fight. The two will try it again on December 29, as the fight has been rescheduled for UFC 155.
Full payroll for The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale: (via MMAJunkie.com)
Roy Nelson: $24,000 plus $24,000 win bonus defeated Matt Mitrione: $12,000.
Colton Smith: $8,000 plus $8,000 win bonus defeated Mike Ricci: $8,000.
Patrick Barry: $22,000 plus $22,000 win bonus defeated Shane Del Rosario: $20,000.
Dustin Poirier: $17,000 plus $17,000 win bonus defeated Jonathan Brookins: $20,000.
Mike Pyle: $39,000 plus $39,000 win bonus defeated James Head: $12,000.
Johnny Bedford: $8,000 plus $8,000 win bonus defeated Marcos Vinicius: $8,000.
Rustam Khabilov: $8,000 plus $8,000 win bonus defeated Vinc Pichel: $8,000.
Anthony Waldburger: $14,000 plus $14,000 win bonus defeated Nick Catone: $13,000.
Hugo Viana: $8,000 plus $8,000 win bonus defeated Reuben Duran: $8,000.
Mike Rio: $8,000 plus $8,000 win bonus defeated John Cofer: $8,000.
Timothy Elliott: $6,000 plus $6,000 win bonus defeated Jared Papazian: $6,000.
Melvin Guillard: $42,000, Jamie Varner: $12,000 for scratched fight due to illness.
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