UFC 191 salaries: Three fighters out-earn champ Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson may have topped the headlines with a dominant seventh consecutive defense of his UFC flyweight title at UFC 191, but it was veteran Anthony Johnson who ultimately led the event’s salary report, according to information rel…

Demetrious Johnson may have topped the headlines with a dominant seventh consecutive defense of his UFC flyweight title at UFC 191, but it was veteran Anthony Johnson who ultimately led the event’s salary report, according to information released Tuesday to MMAFighting.com by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

“Rumble” pocketed an event-high $230,000 in purse money for his second-round knockout of light heavyweight slugger Jimi Manuwa on the night’s pay-per-view card. His total just barely edged out the two former heavyweight champions who competed in the card’s co-headlining bout, as both Andrei Arlvoski ($225,000) and Frank Mir ($200,000) each pulled in six-figures for their lackluster bout.

Johnson, the UFC’s flyweight champion, slotted in at fourth on the UFC 191 payroll, cashing $191,000 for a masterful win over John Dodson ($60,000) in the night’s main event. The victory inched Johnson within striking range of Anderson Silva’s all-time record for consecutive title defenses, which stands at 10.

UFC 191 took place on Sept. 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The event’s main card aired live on pay-per-view.

In addition to the NAC’s reported salaries, Anthony Johnson, John Lineker, Francisco Rivera, and Raquel Pennington each scored $50,000 fight night bonuses for their handiwork.

A complete list of the UFC 191 salaries can be seen below. As always, these figures do not represent a fighter’s total earnings, as certain sponsorship incomes, pay-per-view incomes, or discretionary post-fight bonuses are not publicly disclosed.

Main card (pay-per-view)
Demetrious Johnson ($133,000 + $58,000 = $191,000) def. John Dodson ($60,000)
Andrei Arlovski ($225,000) def. Frank Mir ($200,000)
Anthony Johnson ($115,000 + $115,000 = $230,000) def. Jimi Manuwa ($24,000)
Corey Anderson ($15,000 + $15,000 = $30,000) def. Jan Blachowicz ($34,000)
Paige VanZant ($12,000 + $12,000 = $24,000) def. Alex Chambers ($12,000)

Preliminary card (FOX Sports 1)
Ross Pearson ($45,000 + $45,000 = $90,000) def. Paul Felder ($18,000)
John Lineker ($24,000 + $24,000 = $48,000) def. Francisco Rivera ($23,000)
Raquel Pennington ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Jessica Andrade ($20,000)
Tiago Trator ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Clay Collard ($10,000)

Preliminary card (UFC Fight Pass)
Joe Riggs ($16,000 + $16,000 = $32,000) def. Ronald Stallings ($12,000)
Joaquim Silva ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Nazareno Malegarie ($10,000)