UFC 148 disclosed payouts
Anderson Silva: flat $200,000 win or lose.
Chael Sonnen: $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win.
Tito Ortiz: flat $250,000 in his retirement fight win or lose.
Forrest Griffin: $125,000 to show, $150,000 to win.
Cung Le: flat $150,000 win or lose.
Patrick Cote: $21,000 to show, $21,000 to win.
The figures do not represent an accurate assessment of each fighter’s income.
Fighters bear significant costs including training expenses, a percentage to management, a percentage to the trainer, insurance, licenses, and taxes.
On the income side, sponsorship money can be a substantial portion, or even exceed the purse from the fight. Further, the UFC often gives out undisclosed “locker room” bonuses for exceptional performance. In addition there are publicly announced ‘of the Night’ bonuses that are not reflected above.
Elite level fighters can negotiate a portion of the PPV revenue, which can substantially exceed the disclosed payout. Lastly, many fighters earn income from teaching, from appearances, and in many cases from regular employment in the non fighting space.
Full disclosed UFC 148 paydays will be available next week.
