MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[Sakara=Excitement]

UFC Fight Night Payouts: Leben Earns $60,000

UFC veteran Chris Leben was the biggest bread-earner at Monday’s UFC Fight Night 20 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., despite his assignment to the event’s undercard. “The Ultimate Fighter” alumnus banked $60,000 for his unanimous decision win against Jay Silva, a fight that didn’t make the live broadcast on Spike TV.

Thanks to the UFC’s popular performance bonuses, a few other fighters’ pockets weren’t left much lighter than Leben’s.

Evan Dunham scored $48,000 for his third-round submission over TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero (who made $15,000), which included a $30,000 bonus for the finish. Aaron Simpson ($52,000) and Tom Lawlor ($40,000) shared in “Fight of the Night” honors for a spirited back-and-forth tilt that saw Simpson’s comeback in the later rounds. They were both rewarded with $30,000 pay boosts as well.

In the main event, Xtreme Couture product Gray Maynard took home $40,000 for his split decision nod over Nate Diaz, who earned $48,000. Though Maynard avenged a mid 2007 loss to Diaz that took place on “The Ultimate Fighter 5,” the accomplished 30-year-old wrestler did little to bolster claim to a shot at champion B.J. Penn’s lightweight title.

UFC Fight Night 20 Payouts

Gray Maynard -- $40,000 (including $20,000 win bonus) def. Nate Diaz -- $48,000

Evan Dunham -- $48,000 (including $9,000 win bonus, $30,000 submission bonus) def. Efrain Escudero -- $15,000

Aaron Simpson -- $52,000 (including $11,000 win bonus, $30,000 FOTN bonus) def. Tom Lawlor -- $40,000 (including $30,000 FOTN bonus)

Amir Sadollah -- $30,000 (including $15,000 win bonus) def. Brad Blackburn -- $13,000

Chris Leben -- $60,000 (including $30,000 win bonus) def. Jay Silva -- $6,000

Rick Story -- $10,000 (including $5,000 win bonus) def. Jesse Lennox -- $7,000

Nik Lentz -- $7,000 (no win bonus awarded for draw) vs. Thiago Tavares -- $15,000

Rafael dos Anjos -- $16,000 (including $8,000 win bonus) def. Kyle Bradley -- $8,000

Gerald Harris -- $42,000 (including $6,000 win bonus, $30,000 knockout bonus) def. John Salter -- $6,000

Nick Catone -- $14,000 (including $7,000 win bonus) def. Jesse Forbes -- $6,000

Note: These numbers, released to Sherdog.com by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, are disclosed pay only. They do not include additional bonuses or percentages of other revenue.

[b0sH]

The pay of some of the lesser known fighters definately seems to be improving which is a good thing.

The pay also seems to scale nicely with performances. The UFC sends out some pretty clear messages. Perform well get paid well, perform well and entertain the fans and get paid very well.

Could probably have done with a few more decisive victories on the card ie people stepping up to deliver KO's and TKO's. Always room for new fighters to come through in dramatic fashion.

[JadedX]

That's some rather nice payouts. I'm just glad my crazy haoli friend Chris Leben won. He's a monster in both the Octagon and the gym. Try training with him and you'll believe, lol.

[Supe]

Im much more surprised that Diaz is gettin 48k just to show. He's makin close to 6 figures per when he wins?? Good for him I guess

[megamus]

i would put money on diaz not having a win bonus in his contract.....he would just get 48k win or lose, some fighters have that negotiated....i believe Brock has a similar thing and a bunch of others, no way diaz would be 90+k for a win. i'm a little suprised that even with his win bonus gray is making less than diaz, i guess its how good you negotiate.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Originally Posted by Supe

Im much more surprised that Diaz is gettin 48k just to show. He's makin close to 6 figures per when he wins?? Good for him I guess

Well he's probably still cashing in on that TUF contract. Supposed to be 6 figures or something? HAHA but doesn't get paid enough to cut weight to 155. I'ld go on the Karen Carpenter diet for $48 grand

[tucker50]

I'm not really sure why but Macdonald and Guymon are not included on this payout. In fact, I tried looking on other sites, and they aren't included on any of them.

[bottlerocks]

Originally Posted by KevoOnTheRadio

Well he's probably still cashing in on that TUF contract. Supposed to be 6 figures or something?

Amir has a 6-figure TUF contract as well. His pay was small in comparison. I'm sure he'll get another main card on a PPV soon, though. Not so much Nate.

[amosaback]

Originally Posted by Supe

Im much more surprised that Diaz is gettin 48k just to show. He's makin close to 6 figures per when he wins?? Good for him I guess

I agree. I wondered about this myself. My guess is that, knowing the Diaz brothers, Nate said "F*** it, pay me or I'm going to Strikeforce". He probably got his cash because he is a good fighter, and because the UFC wanted to avoid the embarassment of having their most-recent, at the time, reality show winner to abandon the organization.

[lwbrewer]

On Nate you have to get him his money through fights would you want him hosting a show as Admir did! Also Admir did fall out of a few shows with injury's. The only way I would let Nate represent the UFC is fighting.