(This guy knows what I’m talking about. / Props: Reddit)
The UFC paid out $1,521,000 in reported salaries and performance bonuses to the fighters at UFC 155, according to figures released today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Leading the payroll was former UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos, who made a hefty $400,000 for his five-round death-march against Cain Velasquez. Velasquez landed in second place with half that total. The only other fighter who was able to crack six figures was Jim Miller, and that’s only when you factor in the $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus he earned for his three-round thriller against Joe Lauzon.
The full UFC 155 salary list is below, via MMAJunkie. Keep in mind that the numbers don’t include additional revenue from sponsorships, undisclosed “locker room bonuses,” or percentages of the pay-per-view that some of the UFC’s stars are privy to, nor do they include deductions for taxes, insurance, or licensing fees.
Cain Velasquez: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
def. Junior Dos Santos: $400,000
Jim Miller: $147,000 (includes $41,000 win bonus, $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus)
def. Joe Lauzon: $92,000 (includes $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus)
Constantinos Philippou: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Boetsch: $37,000
Yushin Okami: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus)
def. Alan Belcher: $37,000
Derek Brunson: $30,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Leben: $51,000
Eddie Wineland: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Brad Pickett: $17,000
Erik Perez: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Bryon Bloodworth: $6,000
Jamie Varner: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Melvin Guillard: $42,000
Myles Jury: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Michael Johnson: $14,000
Todd Duffee: $81,000 ($8,000 win bonus, $65,000 Knockout of the Night bonus)
def. Phil De Fries: $14,000
Max Holloway: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Leonard Garcia: $20,000
John Moraga: $87,000 (includes $11,000 win bonus, $65,000 Submission of the Night bonus)
def. Chris Cariaso: $12,000
Underpaid: Jamie Varner. Considering the level of competition the UFC has been throwing at this guy since his return this year — and his tremendous performances in those fights — Varner is a hell of a bargain at just $12,000 to-show. That’s great for the UFC, and not so great for Varner, who finds himself taking home half as much money as Melvin Guillard, who he beat.
Overpaid: After everything that Chris Leben has put the UFC through, does he really need to be paid more in guaranteed money than guys like Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller — who show up in shape for every fight, regularly put on bonus-worthy scraps, and never find themselves in embarrassing steroid/painkiller/DUI scandals? I like Leben too, but $51,000 just to be there? What exactly is he being rewarded for?