UFC on FOX 7: Salaries and Bonuses

Salaries and Bonuses

The seventh UFC on FOX event was the first fight card on national television since the NFL season had concluded and it drew in 3.31 million viewers based on fast nationals. There were questions around whether or not the UFC would be able to draw in viewers without the advertisement during the football games.

The answer to the question is yes. The 3.31 million viewers who tuned in saw one of the best fight cards during a UFC event in a long time. Dana White and Joe Silva always do a great job setting up fight cards, but out did themselves with UFC on FOX 7.

Those who tuned in saw eight finishes by way of the knockout, which tied a UFC record originally set at UFC 92 for the most ever on a single card. Additionally, most of the knockout finishes were visions of beauty to a MMA fan and were fights people will want to watch again on their DVR.

All the fights, from the undercard broadcasted on YouTube to the main event on FOX, were fights that could’ve deserved to be the main event of the card, all culminating in a five-round fight for the lightweight title. Although, the final fight of the night ended with a judges decision, it was a fight worth watching.

After all was said and done, there are a few fighters who walked away with a fat paycheck, while others are at least able to pay rent on May 1. Let’s take a look at what the fighters took home following UFC on FOX 7.

Salaries were disclosed by the UFC to the California State Athletic Commission. Total salary disclosed for UFC on FOX 7 were $1,318,000.

Justin Soderberg is a Boston Red Sox and MMA writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, "Like" him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

Benson Henderson def. Gilbert Melendez

Benson Henderson defeated Gilbert Melendez by split decision after a five-round title fight. Henderson successfully defended his belt, winning $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus). Melendez received $175,000 with the loss.

Additionally, Henderson dropped to a single knee and proposed to his girlfriend following his victory, she said “yes!”

Daniel Cormier def. Frank Mir

Daniel Cormier defeated former two-time heavyweight champion Frank Mir by unanimous judges decision. Cormier was awarded $126,000 (includes $63,000 win bonus), while Mir took home $200,000 with the loss.

Josh Thomson def. Nate Diaz

Josh Thomson defeated Nate Diaz by knockout at 3:44 in the second round. Thomson was awarded $145,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus and $50,000 co-knockout of the night bonus). Diaz, who was finished by knockout for the first time in his 25-fight professional career was given $15,000.

Matt Brown def. Jordan Mein

Matt Brown defeated Jordan Mein by knockout one minute into the second round. Brown was awarded $110,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus and $50,000 fight of the night bonus). Mein was awarded $66,000 (includes $50,000 fight of the night bonus) in the loss.

Chad Mendes def. Darren Elkins

Chad Mendes defeated Darren Elkins by knockout only 1:08 into the very first round. Mendes was awarded $56,000 (includes $28,000 win bonus), while Elkins received $24,000 with the loss.

Francis Carmont def. Lorenz Larkin

In a close fight, Francis Carmont defeated Lorenz Larkin by unanimous judges decision. Carmont earned $38,000 (includes $19,000 win bonus) and Larkin received $23,000 after his loss.

Myles Jury def. Ramsey Nijem

Myles Jury defeated Ramsey Nijem by knockout at 1:02 in the second round. Jury was awarded $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus), while Nijem received $14,000 with the loss.

Joseph Benavidez def. Darren Uyenoyama

Joseph Benavidez defeated Darren Uyenoyama by knockout at 4:50 in the second round. Benavidez won $66,000 (includes $33,000 win bonus), while his opponent Uyenoyama received $12,000 after his loss.

T.J. Dillashaw def. Hugo Viana

T.J. Dillashaw defeated Hugo Viana at 4:22 in the second round. Dillashow was awarded $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus) for his victory. Viana received $8,000 with the loss.

Jorge Masvidal def. Tim Means

Jorge Masvidal defeated Tim Means with an unanimous decision by the judges scorecards. Masvidal received $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus), while Means earned $10,000 with the loss.

Anthony Njokuani def. Roger Bowling

Anthony Njokuani defeated Roger Bowling by knockout at 2:52 in the second round. Njokuani earned $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus) and Bowling walked away with $12,000 after the loss.

Yoel Romero def. Clifford Starks

Yoel Romero defeated Clifford Starks by knockout only 1:32 into the very first round. Romero earned $70,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus and $50,000 co-knockout of the night bonus). Starks received $8,000 with the loss.

Justin Soderberg is a Boston Red Sox and MMA writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, "Like" him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.