Josh Barnett, Gilbert Melendez Lead Payroll for Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett come up on the losing end of his battle with Daniel Cormier in the finals of the heavyweight grand prix Saturday, but he’s also the highest paid athlete on the fight card according to c…

Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett come up on the losing end of his battle with Daniel Cormier in the finals of the heavyweight grand prix Saturday, but he’s also the highest paid athlete on the fight card according to commission-reported salaries.

Barnett took home $200,000 for his efforts. Right behind him is Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, who pocketed $175,000 after besting Josh Thomson by split decision at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier. Despite winning, the commission did not report Melendez took home a win bonus for his efforts.

At the bottom end of the financial ladder, Yuri Villefort only managed to earn $2,500 in his loss to grappling-centric Quin Mulhern. Virgil Zwicker, Derrick Mehman both took home $3,000 while Guto Inocente earned $4,000 after earning a $2,000 win bonus.

Please note that salaries reported by Strikeforce to the commission do not necessarily reflect a fighter’s actual earnings, once other possible bonuses and sponsorship money is factored in.

The list of full payouts from Saturday’s event listed below:

James Terry $9,000
Bobby Green $12,00 ($6,000, $6,000 bonus)
Quinn Mulhern $12,00 ($6,000, $6,000 bonus)
Yuri Villefort $2,500
Gian Villante $24,000 ($12,000, $12,000 bonus)
Derrick Mehman $3,000
Virgil Zwicker $3,000
Guto Inocente $4,000 ($ 2,000, $2,000 bonus)
Gesias Cavalcante $18,000
Isaac Vallie-Flagg $6,000 ($3,000, $3,000 bonus)
Nah-Shon Burrell $7,000
Christopher Spang $12,000 ($6,000, $6,000 bonus)
Mike Kyle $25,000
Rafael Cavalcante $66,000 ($33,000, $33,000 bonus)
Josh Thomson $90,000
Gilbert Melendez $175,000
Josh Barnett $200,000
Daniel Cormier $100,000 ($50,000, $50,000 bonus)