UFC 102 fighters earned a total disclosed payroll of $1,285,000 for their efforts this past weekend at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Ore.
The highest earner of the night was main event winner Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira who took home a total of $400,000. Nick Catone was the lowest earner on the card. He lost a split decision to Mark Munoz in the prelims and took home $5,000 for his troubles.
Just possibly the highest paid preliminary card fighter in history was Gabriel Gonzaga who took home a nice $120,000 for his utter decimation and castration of Chris Tuchscherer.
UFC 102 fighter salaries:
- Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: $400,000 (includes $150,000 bonus) def. Randy Couture: $250,000
- Thiago Silva: $58,000 ($29,000 win bonus) def. Keith Jardine: $55,000
- Jake Rosholt: $26,000 ($13,000 win bonus) def. Chris Leben: $30,000
- Nate Marquardt: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus) def. Demian Maia: $28,000
- Brandon Vera: $70,0000 ($35,000 win bonus) def. Krzysztof Soszynski: $8,000
- Aaron Simpson: $18,000 ($9,000 win bonus) def. Ed Herman: $24,000
- Gabriel Gonzaga: $120,000 ($60,000 win bonus) def. Chris Tuchscherer: $10,000
- Mike Russow: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Justin McCully: $15,000
- Todd Duffee: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus) def. Tim Hague: $7,000
- Mark Munoz: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) def. Nick Catone: $5,000
- Evan Dunham: $14,000 ($7,000 win bonus) def. Marcus Aurelio: $13,000
Disclaimer: The above listed figures are the base salaries the UFC reports to the athletic commission. The numbers do not include bonuses the fighters may earn for “Fight of the Night,” “Submission of the Night,” or “Knockout of the Night.” You can find those numbers in our “UFC 102 live gate & bonuses” article. The figures also do not represent income fighters earn through sponsorships, endorsements, etc.
Conversely, the fighter salaries listed above do not take into account tax deductions and other fighter expenses such as insurance and licensing fees.