UFC 79 Salaries: Fighter Paydays Equal a Payroll of Nearly $1.2 Million
by Dann Stupp on Dec 31, 2007 at 2:13 pm
MMAjunkie.com has received the list of UFC 79 fighters' salaries directly from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
UFC 79 took place Saturday, Dec. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Georges St. Pierre defeated Matt Hughes in the night's main event to claim the UFC's interim welterweight title, and Chuck Liddell rebounded from the first back-to-back losses of his career with a unanimous-decision victory over Wanderlei Silva.
Liddell was the event's big winner with a base salary of $500,000, St. Pierre was second with $160,000, and Silva was third with $150,000.
The total disclosed payroll for UFC 79 was a hefty $1,199,000.
The full results as reported to MMAjunkie.com include:
Georges St. Pierre ($160,000) def. Matt Hughes ($100,000)
Roan Carneiro ($10,000) def. Tony DeSouza ($7,000)
Mark Bocek ($6,000) def. Doug Evans ($3,000)
All the winning fighters except Liddell received pay that awarded 50 percent "to show" and 50 percent as a "win bonus." For example, Machida earned $30,000 to show and an additional $30,000 for his victory for $60,000 total. Each of the night's losing fighters (except Silva) could have doubled his salary with a victory.
Now, the usual disclaimer: the figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighterâ??s income. They also do not include any bonuses paid to some of the main-card fighters who sometimes earn a small cut of pay-per-view revenue. They also do not include other non-disclosed/"locker-room" bonuses the UFC sometimes pays.
In other words, these are simply base salaries reported to the CSAC and do not represent the total amounts earned by each fighter.
The figures also do not include the $50,000 Knockout of the Night, Submission of the Night, and Fight of the Night bonuses. Sanchez (knockout), St. Pierre (submission), Liddell (fight) and Silva (fight) each earned an additional $50,000 for the awards.
UFC Issues $200,000 in UFC 79 Bonuses
by Dann Stupp on Dec 30, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Eddie Sanchez earned $50,000 for Knockout of the Night, Georges St. Pierre earned $50,000 for Submission of the Night Bonus, and Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva each earned $50,000 for Fight of the Night at Saturday's UFC 79 event.
The news of the bonuses came out of Saturday's post-UFC 79 press conference and was confirmed by a handful of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) sources on hand for the event.
UFC 79 took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and aired live on pay-per-view. The event drew 11,075 attendees for a $4.9 million gate.
Sanchez, who defeated heavyweight UFC newcomer Soa Palelei with a third-round TKO, topped Roan Carneiro for the award. Carneiro scored the night's only other knockout when he halted Tony DeSouza with a series of strikes in the second round of their preliminary fight.
St. Pierre, who defeated Matt Hughes with a second-round arm-bar submission to earn the UFC's interim welterweight title, will add the $50,000 bonus to his reported base salary of $160,000.
St. Pierre's most likely competition for the bonus was Manny Gamburyan, "The Ultimate Fighter 5" runner-up who scored a fairly rare ankle-lock submission of Nate Mohr. The fight appeared on the preliminary card but aired via tape delay at the end of the night's pay-per-view broadcast.
Silva and Liddell competed in the night's most-anticipated bout -- one that had been teased, scheduled and re-scheduled a number of times over the past six years. Liddell ultimately scored a unanimous decision in the night's co-main event.
Liddell earned a base salary of $500,000 for the victory; Silva earned $150,000 in defeat.
UFC 79: Georges St. Pierre Dominates Matt Hughes for Interim Title; Chuck Liddell Outlasts Wanderlei Silva
by Dann Stupp on Dec 30, 2007 at 1:07 am
While Matt Hughes (41-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) is arguably the greatest welterweight in mixed-martial-arts history, he's no longer the top welterweight alive.
That honor has now arguably been wrapped up by Georges St. Pierre (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who dominated the future UFC hall-of-famer in the rubber match of their now-legendary series. The second-round submission victory, which earned St. Pierre the UFC's interim welterweight title, capped off the 10-bout fight card for UFC 79, which took place Saturday at the sold-out Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
After current champ Matt Serra was forced off the fight card last month due to a back injury, St. Pierre opted to step in and fight Hughes instead. The two fighters had met twice before -- Hughes defended his title the first time but was outclassed in the second meeting -- and the rubber match was set to crown the winner of the series.
With Serra out indefinitely, and hoping to spice up the magnitude of the fight, UFC officials opted to award the winner the UFC's interim welterweight title to set up a title-unification bout in 2008.
Tonight, it was all St. Pierre. He dominated the first round, scoring an early takedown that was followed by a full round of ground and pound. The second round went much like the first, and though Hughes was able to escape one takedown, the All-American wrestler was thrown back to the canvas for a second. St. Pierre eventually transitioned into a kimura attempt but settled for an arm-bar that forced Hughes to verbally submit at 4:54 of the second round.
Although he was awarded a belt, St. Pierre quickly disposed of it, feeling it wasn't legitimate.
"Thats why I'm going to take off this belt because for me, yes, it's a good (part of my) collection," St. Pierre said. "But it means nothing to me. Thanks to the UFC for giving me (this). It's a good honor, but the real champion is Matt Serra, and until I get my belt... back, I won't consider myself the real champion."
Hughes had no excuses for the loss. And in no uncertain terms, the 34-year-old fighting legend passed the torch to his 26-year-old successor.
"No excuses here," Hughes said. "I came into this fight 120 percent... Georges is the better fighter. There's nothing more I can say about it."
MAIN-CARD BOUTS
Some three-rounders feel like an eternity. Yet, with some fights -- especially those that are six years in the making -- 15 minutes seems like a blink of the eye.
After Chuck Liddell (21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC) returned from the first back-to-back losses of his career to post a unanimous-decision victory over recent UFC signee Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC) at UFC 79, most fans were left hungry for an additional two rounds.
However, working within the constraints of a 15-minute fight, Liddell sandwiched a close second round with dominating performances in the first and third frames. It was enough to earn winning scorecards of 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 in one of the sport's most historic fights.
Although Liddell took the fight the distance for only the second time in five years (and yet the second time in his past two bouts), he nearly forced a stoppage in the third round. After bloodying his opponent in the second and coming out in the third frame looking the fresher fighter, Liddell threw a spinning backfist that tagged Silva with a forearm. Liddell followed with a series of combinations that had Silva staggering while pinned against the fence. However, Liddell -- like he did all night -- knew he could only stay in one place for so long.
"I hurt him a few times in the fight, but he kept covering up and coming back at me," said Liddell. "He recovers quick."
He allowed Silva time to recover, but it was obvious that the famed Brazilian striker was in no shape to mount a late charge.
For Liddell, he was just happy the fight happened at all.
"I knew this was an important fight to get back on track to get my title back," he said. "But what a travesty it would have been if we didn't fight. What a great fight for the fans."
In a horribly positioned fight, heavyweights Eddie Sanchez (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Soa Palelei (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) nearly put the crowd to sleep right before the night's two biggest fights.
It was a dominating performance for Sanchez, but it was hardly exciting. However, blame it on a weird match-up rather than a lack of effort on Sanchez's part.
After wearing down his opponent in the first round, Sanchez had free reign in the next two frames to continually tee off on the UFC newcomer. Using a series of combinations and some well-placed uppercuts, Sanchez appeared to break his opponent's nose and had Palelei gushing blood for most of the fight.
"He just shut down in the second round," Sanchez said.
In the third, Sanchez continued the unanswered blows, and as Palelei squinted to see through the blood, the referee finally halted the bout. Sanchez was credited with the TKO victory at 3:24 of the third round in a fight that was hardly a hit with the Las Vegas crowd.
In perhaps his biggest step toward a light-heavyweight title shot, Lyoto Machida (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) kept his undefeated streak alive by dominating UFC newcomer and former PRIDE standout Rameau Sokoudjo (4-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC).
Using his usual counter-striking style while peppering his opponent with head and leg kicks, Machida kept Sokoudjo from mounting any type of offense. Perhaps feeling a sense of urgency, Sokoudjo charged in for a takedown halfway through the second round but ate a left hook in the process. Sokoudjo hit the mat, and Machida eventually transitioned into a fight-ending arm-triangle choke to force the tap-out.
Machida, known for a series of lackluster (though successful) performances in the octagon, negated one of the UFC's most prized signings while proving his style can, in fact, be entertaining.
"I knew from the beginning I was going to win this fight," Machida said through a translator. "I just got my (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) black belt... Before the fight, Sokoudjo said he was training kung fu in the jungle. Maybe he should go back to the jungle and train karate."
The night's broadcast kicked off with a huge grudge match between rival Melvin Guillard (20-7-2 MMA, 3-3 UFC) and Rich Clementi (30-12-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC). However, in the battle of alumni from "The Ultimate Fighter," season-four vet Clementi upset his younger rival from the second season.
Clementi connected on leg and body kicks early in the first round, and after Guillard got a little overly anxious following a right hook, his opponent took the fight to the ground. Clementi remained persistent with the takedowns, and after taking Guillard's back late in the round, the ending was inevitable. After softening up Guillard with some short punches, Clementi locked in the rear-naked choke to force the tap-out at 4:40 of the first round.
The fight didn't end there, though. The trash-talking continued after the bout, and Guillard continually attempted to charge through security personnel toward Clementi.
"There's nothing worse than a guy who talks a lot of sh** and can't back it up," Clementi said in a post-fight interview. "Go practice some jiu-jistu, Melvin."
PRELIMINARY FIGHTS
What had the makings of a slugfest ended prematurely when the once-undefeated Luis Cane (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) tagged fellow light heavyweight James Irvin (13-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) with an illegal knee early in the first round. Irvin was knocked out cold and unable to continue and had to be helped out of the octagon, but he earns the victory via disqualification at 1:51 of the first round.
"The Ultimate Fighter 5" lightweight runner-up Manny Gamburyan (5-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) rebounded from a shoulder injury in the show's live finale for a quick and definitive submission victory over Nate Mohr (8-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC). Gamburyan secured an ankle lock at 1:31 of the first round to force the tap-out.
Veteran middleweightDean Lister (10-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC) scored a victory overJordan Radev (11-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) -- even if it wasn't in the flashiest of ways. In the end, all three judges had it 30-27 for Lister, who used takedowns and leg kicks to control most of the bout.
Roan Carneiro (12-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) controlled Tony DeSouza (10-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) from the opening bell, and after looking for a variety of submissions, he ultimately took DeSouza's back and threw a flurry of punches for the TKO victory at 3:33 of the second round.
Mark Bocek (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) survived an early combination from fellow lightweight Doug Evans (5-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) and controlled the final two frames for a unanimous-decision victory. All three judges had it 29-28 for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace.
QUICK RESULTS
Georges St. Pierre def. Matt Hughes via submission (arm-bar) -- Round 2, 4:54
Dean Lister def. Jordan Radev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Roan Carneiro def. Tony DeSouza via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 3:33
Mark Bocek def. Doug Evans via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
The Iceman Freezes Silva in Historic Grudge Match
by Dave Hiza "Between Rounds"
Chuck Liddell had alot riding on his fight with Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79. He was coming off back to back losses and many critics believed he lost his edge over the 205lb. division. Saturday night in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino the "Iceman" put on a performance that will be remembered forever as he defeated Pride veteran and former champ, Wanderlei Silva, in a three round war.
This historic fight has been in the making for six years and on December 29th, it was made a reality. The crowd was electric from the moment they heard Chuck's entrance music by DMX. When the fight began and both fighters starting throwing blows after a minute or so of a feeling out process, everyone knew the fight would live up to the hype. Both fighters went to work in a fight that at times looked more like a scene in Rocky, with both fighters trading shots recklessly.
After Liddell won round one, round two gave every fan in the arena their money's worth. Silva was getting the better of most of the exchanges, but Chuck kept on coming at him. Despite getting hit with some good shots from Silva, Liddell was able to get Silva against the cage and open him up with an elbow to the head. This was the point people could see Liddell getting the edge over the Axe Murderer, and the round ended up on the canvas with Silva on his back. That round could have been scored either way due to the fact that Liddell was losing for a majority of the round, but he was able to get Silva in positions were he was close to ending the fight.
Round 3 started off with the Iceman taking Silva down, but they quickly were both on their feet again. As the two warriors began their stand up attacks again, Liddell threw a spinning back-fist that landed, and dazed the Axe Murderer sending him to retreat against the cage. This is where we saw Chuck go to work throwing viscous punches while Silva was up on the cage similar to the way he beat Tito Ortiz at UFC 47, but Silva never went down. Both fighters were exhausted and Chuck looked surprised that Wanderlei was still hanging around. In the last minute of the three round war, Chuck again took Silva down and secured the victory.
Both fighters gave it their all in the epic war, and Liddell was able to prove he is still amongst the best fighters in the world in the 205lb. division. The victory puts Chuck back in the title hunt and the loss for Silva makes it three straight for the former Pride champ. Both fighters gave it their all, and both guys deserve the upmost respect for going toe to toe in one of the best fights in UFC history.
