UFC 96 Fighter Salaries: “Rampage” Tops Payroll
Quinton Jackson
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson took home nearly half of the disclosed $762,000 payroll at UFC 96, earning $325,000 for his unanimous decision victory over Keith Jardine in the evening’s headliner. Jardine received $55,000 for the losing effort.
UFC 96 took place on Saturday at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio and the Ohio State Athletic Commission today released the official salaries for the pay-per-view event.
Other top earners included Gabriel Gonzaga ($60,000), Brandon Vera ($60,000), Kendall Grove ($44,000), and Matt Hamill ($40,000).
UFC 96 drew a sell-out crowd of 17,033 for a live gate of $1.8 million.
The official salaries exclude some bonuses (including “fight night” bonuses), taxes, fees, sponsor payments, and other miscellaneous payments and fees.
The official salaries for UFC 96 were:
- Quinton Jackson ($325,000 – includes $100,000 win bonus) def. Keith Jardine ($55,000)
- Shane Carwin ($32,000 – includes $16,000 win bonus) def. Gabriel Gonzaga ($60,000)
- Matt Brown ($16,000 – includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Pete Sell ($12,000)
- Matt Hamill ($40,000 – includes $20,000 win bonus) def. Mark Munoz ($12,000)
- Gray Maynard ($20,000 – includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Jim Miller ($9,000)
- Tamdan McCrory ($20,000 – includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Ryan Madigan ($3,000)
- Kendall Grove ($44,000 – includes $22,000 win bonus) def. Jason Day ($5,000)
- Jason Brilz ($10,000 – includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Tim Boetsch ($12,000)
- Brandon Vera ($60,000 – includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Mike Patt ($5,000)
- Shane Nelson ($16,000 – includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Aaron Riley ($6,000)
Tags: Aaron Riley, Brandon Vera, Gabriel Gonzaga, Gray Maynard, Jason Brilz, jason day, jim miller, Keith Jardine, Kendall Grove, mark munoz, matt brown, Matt Hamill, Mike Patt, Pete Sell, Quinton Jackson, Ryan Madigan, shane carwin, Shane Nelson, Tamdan McCrory, tim boetsch
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Somebody please tell me Pete Cell is done in the UFC! 2w-5l record in the UFC should get him booted. One can only hope!
It’s been speculated that was a fight for your job fight with either loser going elsewhere, so expect an announcement soon.
I can’t wait for Rampage to show everyone how overreted Rashad Evans is. He landed one lucky punch on Chuck and now thinks he’s a ko artist. He got lucky against Forrest also. If he not beats,but finishes Rampage then i’ll say he’s for real, i don’t care if he is undefeated. Rampage is going to ko his a**.
Rashad is the author of some of the most devistating knockouts in recent history. Chuck Liddel via a punch and Sean Salmon via a kick. Both of which were absolute highlight reel KO’s. I also beleive he knocked Jason Lambert out cold via ground and pound. I wouldn’t call it a lucky punch and I wouldn’t ever call him overrated. Being undefeated and champion of the deepest weight class in MMA is hardly anytihng that can be overachieved.
Rashad Evens did beat Lambert with ground and pound and Sean Salmon is a nobody who’s short enough to get leg kicked by anyone in the 205 division. He has not fougt a quality dangerous fighter yet. Yes he ko’d Chuck in a really nice timed punch, but that’s not the Chuck from a few years back, if “Sugar” would have faced Chuck in his prime he would have never landed that puch. Despite what people say or think, Tito Ortiz was robbed in his fight with Rashad, Tito, even though people hate him won that fight, but they called it a draw due to him holding the fence. Rampage is at his prime and he’s a threat to anyone, he can ko anyone in the division, so if Evans ko’s him, i will never say Evens is overrated ever again,but until he beats Rampage to me he’s still overrated. And another thing, if he were to face “the Dragon” Lyoto Machida he would get destroyed. Now before anyone thinks that am not giving Evans his due i’ll say this. As an MMA fan I admire how he has grown as a fighter, from wrestling to his slick and fast movement and his new B- striking ability, but Rampage is still going to take his belt back, if he doesn’t then i’ll gladly say i was wrong about Evens.
“Rampage is at his prime and he’s a threat to anyone, he can ko anyone in the division” So far he has TKO’d Liddell and KO to Wandi, the rest went to decisions, so not much of a threat. And Wandi is on his way down, his hooks don’t have the power anymore and leaves himself wide open after throwing. Liddell fought Rampage 16 months before Evans, so don’t know if he fell out of his “prime” between those fights. I will agree with you that Lyoto will pick apart each one of them and will decide how the fight ends.
jerod
You took the words clean outta my mouth. Underated and Lucky does not equal a undefeated Champion in the LHW division in the UFC!
unfortunately i have to disagree. i say unfortunately cuz i like rampage and hate evans. but even i can’t say that his wins are all luck. he’s a smart fighter that figures out his opponents weaknesses and exploits em. with chuck he took the time to get chuck frustrated which worked. it should be a good fight but i dunno if i see rampage winning. what they should do is put machida vs evans first since he deserves a shot and see how evans does against someone just as smart.
I with you 2girls2cups. Machida and Evans are intellegent fighters, they are both also very fast and have great movement. That should be the next 205 title fight, the thing with Rampage is that he’s problably the best boxer at 205 snd he has really good defense ans counter hooks. It’s an interesting matchup. The only way I see Evans beating Rampage is by decision or maybe and I mean maybe, ground and pound.
wow…as per usual, i hafta comment on payouts…55 grand for Jardine. i know he’s not a huge exciting fighter, but 55 grand for the guy who beat forrest and liddell…throw him a bone. where they get off giving kendall grove more than a gift bag and some decals, is beyond me. he hasnt done sh!t, and was fighting a soup can. really strange…
It’s called a contract… and they get paid according to the contract.
i agree, jardine put up a decent fight, he deserves more $$$ for his efforts.
the pay difference is just too great!
I’d vote to pay the top guys a bit less and give the mediocre guys a bit more!
*Disclaimer- This comment is off topic and kinda rude*
You also have Che Guevara as your avatar…. which makes it hard for me to take you seriously.
I would also like to note, that I said that out of my dislike for Guevara, not necessarily a dislike for you, gibor.
When is Gray Maynard going to start getting high profile fights? He has beaten Frank Edgar and Rich Clementi who are both no push overs at 155lbs and now he fights Jim Miller??? The guy is a beast at imposing his will against great fighters. I want to see Maynard fight guys like Guida, Florian, Sanchez, and the like. Not some newbie to the UFC.
I blame the tramp stamp.
lol, good point! my argument is completely moot.
On to Vera, I freaking love a fight that gets ended by leg kicks! Seriously if you have never kick boxed before, the amount of pain that leg kicks bring is extreme! I firmly believe that the reason Jardine and Griffon have done as well in the UFC as they have are due to their use of the leg kick. Wrestlers can shoot, boxers can throw power punches, it’s just a total neutralizer. But winning a fight from them is fantastic.. kudo’s to Vera on that one.
I guess rashad hasn’t earned any respect in some peoples eyes.I find that hilarious.Not saying he’s the best p4p, but overated is a little harsh.If anything he’s been way underated
responding to Justin…i am familiar with the concept of a contract…and understand that you get what you get accordingly. i’m simply looking at the fighters, the numbers, and find it a little odd. so i guess what i’m saying is Jardine should have a better contract, and Grove shouldn’t have a contract.
Had Grove lost… he wouldn’t have a contract. I’m not sure how much time is left on Jardine’s but he may end up being able to renegotiate for higher pay after his contract.
on UFC stats alone:
Jardine- 6-4 (also lost to his buddy on TUF that doesn’t count officially), only one TKO (granted a big one against Forrest) and has been KO’d twice.
Grove- 5 and 2 winning TUF. 3 finishes (2 subs and a KO). He’s also been KO’d twice.
Jardine has fought and beat better competition but it’s all about your agent.
heh, I agree Seemore on the Grove not having a contract thing. I too think he is a middle of the field MW who will probably never amount to anything of real substance, but have we ever seen a single TUF winner (outside of the “comeback” geriatric squad) get cut? I think Dana keeps guys like Grove and recently Joe Stevenson around is because it will look bad to have the winner of that show get cut. Now some of them have really gone on to be extremely successful (Rashad, Griffon, Diego, Bisbing) but cutting any of them puts a slight tarnish on the show as a whole, which love it or hate it the UFC is where it is today in large part to the TUF generation.
Personally if I where trying to get into the UFC and wanted a large starting contract I would go on that show. Even if I had the resume of Chris Hordaki or Ben Rothwell, if my contract to start in the UFC was not up to a six figure contract, I’d go on that show and win me one.
Other than Grove though who legitimately deserves to be cut that’s a TUF winner? Lutter excluded and Danzig only has one shot left so who would you cut?
Joe Stevenson has lost his last 3 fights, I think he should be on the chopping block. Grove should go, Danzig is close, Amir still hasn’t fought yet but I don’t see him being that strong a contender, but thats total speculation.
Well I agree on stevenson losing his last 3 even if it’s been against stout competition. It’s tough to cut a guy like that whose willing to do it all for the organization. As much as people hate Grove he is 6-2 in the octagon which is better than Stevenson(I know before you say it…better comp). Danzig is at the make or break point for a fighter. The thing about the TUF contract(w/ the exception of season 4) it’s a guaranteed contract for 3 years. Grove is in the last year of his TUF contract and Stevenson has a non-TUF contract I believe. just for the specifics of the contract: http://www.ivansblog.com/2006/07/mixed-martial-arts-ufc-and-joys-of-re.html may be a rather biased blog but if you look over the past payrolls it holds up.
Lets see… Joe Stevenson lost a title fight… lost a number one contender fight… then lost a “Fight of the Night” decision… not really bad losses IMO. Now, if they step him down and he loses again, I can see him getting cut, or if they give him a tomato can and he doesn’t dominate, I can see him getting cut. The final option to me would be Danzig v. Stevenson, loser finds a new gig. Or you put one of them in front of Matt Wiman with the same conditions on the outcome.
In regards to Amir, I just don’t think it’s right that you’re calling for the guy to get cut before he has his first fight. Most of the contracts the UFC signs new guys to (the four fight deals like Neil Grove, Stojnic, Cobb, and Struve all signed) have a first two fights clause… if they lose the first two fights, they’re done. I don’t know if there is a “cut” clause in the TUF contracts.
*sidenote – That link you posted, chrisl, was heavily biased and clearly Zuffa bashing… it is also over two years old, fast approaching three… some of the terms of the contracts have likely changed since then, but that is only speculation.
Well in retrospect I don’t agree w/ anything the guy says in the article but if you look at the pay outs this is how it balances out. After Season 4(different contract altogether):
Danzig:
UFN 17: 15,000
UFN 15: 15,000
UFC 83: I couldn’t find the pay roll
Nate Diaz:
UFC 94: 20,000
UFN 15: 20,000
UFC 13: undisclosed
UFN 12: 15,000
UFN 11: 15,000
That is the base w/o bonuses. So it appears it has been adjusted since Grove. Grove’s are right on with what was there.
I said that Amir hasn’t fought yet and so calling for him to be cut is premature, but I was stating that I believe he will not do much in the UFC to cause waves or be impressive. Stevenson has fought top competition, but he has lost to that same competition, and 2 of the 3 fights he was finished in.
Can’t believe Munoz got that much for his first fight in the UFC and Hamill only got a lil more. I KNOW they sign the contracts. Page got a nice fat check.
8K more is a little? Wish I could think that.
That sounded less pr!ckish in my head. Just saying if they both fought 4x this year w/ no bonuses it’d be Munoz 48000 and Hamill 80000, whole nother tax bracket.
Dude isn’t danzig cut? He’s the worst TUF winner ever.
Who besides me thought Rashad Evans was a little bittch for talking $hit to rampage? I mean rampage just won dude and he’s not going to just start talking $hit. Remember what happened when dan hendrson went in the ring after rampage ko’d lidell? They were professional and classy. I think rashad was upset cuz his boy jardine just got his ass kicked. Either way can’t wait to see rampage give him his first loss via ko.
Kinda hard to call Danzig the worst ever when Lutter won and then didn’t make weight for a world title fight.
Excellent card, picked 9 out of 10 winners. Should have went with Maynard instead of taking Miller as my sleeper. Carwin vs Dos Santos next would be a killer match-up. Was great when Rampage mentioned “another black on black crime” just like the Randleman fight.
Justin, what is the deal with your snide arguments? Anybody who posts – it’s called a contract, is simply being a d-bag. I’ve read a few of the blogs here lately and you honestly need to calm down. I find the differing viewpoints interesting, not that disrespectful garbage.
RLT,
1. I’ve been reading/commenting on this site since the “media conference” to announce Lesnar v. Couture* and nearly every time fighter salaries get posted for a UFC/ProElite/Affliction/WEC/whatever someone complains about “this guy is not getting paid enough” or “UFC doesn’t pay enough” or “these guys need to make more” or “how come this guys makes more than this guy?” Now that I’m on to probably at least the 10th story that’s had those comments… some of them started multiple times on the same story… I don’t have the patience for it.
2. It’s called blunt, not snide. The fighters sign a contract, before which they negotiate the terms of the contract. If they want more money it is their responsibility to negotiate for more money, or have their manager negotiate for more money. Once the contract is signed, they get paid what the contract says, and no amount of people writing on here complaining about it is going to change their contract.
3. Differing viewpoints is one thing, but when its the same tired crap again and again, that has been shown wrong again and again… I just don’t feel like typing out all the reasons why for the 30th time. (see FR702’s comment below for the reasons why that comment is wrong)
* – I don’t mention that to brag about how long I’ve been here, there are lots of guys that have been here much longer, just giving an idea of the time frame across which I have been involved in the pay argument multiple times… and “seemore” has been here for at least three of them, and even acknowledged in his comment that he “as per usual” was starting the same tired argument.
WILL
Don’t you mean the marvin eastman fight? Yeah though that was hella funny.
Could of swore he said it on the Randleman fight too? I’ll have to research the Rampage-isms.
Good call man, was the Eastman fight! For Randleman was the “I thought I was going to be Prides only token black guy.”
I have to say I would pay to see a shaq vs. rampage show down(in anything) just to hear the trash talk. It’s always classic lines.
Shiit hamill’s leg kick ko should bring him another fatter contract and if I were his agent I would put that every leg kick ko gets him an extra 25-50k. jazzkok I agree with you that rashad shouldve had more class, but oh well. rampage has matured a lot and doesnt talk as much crap as he used to. I like this “new rampage” as far as his improved skills and his no crap talking. I also agree that evans will be handed a loss but by machida. rampage can beat him but I think machida has the better chance against evans.
One of you spoke of Jardine’s contract. I’ve always respected Jardine because even when he’s taking hard ko shots to the chin he never gives up, but i feel he’s been somewhat lacking a killer instinct to finish fights because he is certainly capable of finishing fights and for his failure in finishing recent fights, it might hurt his status with the UFC and his contract.
As I stated in the forum’s area (members start creating and commenting guys com’on shhhhh) I’m going to just put down what I think, I did skim through and saw someone (forgot the screen name) complaining about pay..
These fighters themselves sign the contract they agree to the “show price” and the “win bonus” pricing.. They sign that shhhhit and frankly they work their way up the pay scale, last year people were saying that it was some bull shhh that Jardine got paid 10g’s to show (his old TUF contract) and now he got paid to show 55g’s and one would have assumed that he would have recieved 55g’s to win.. + the 60g’s for fight of the night he had the potential to make 170g’s but he didn’t win so all he recieved was the show and fight of the night bonus… Mind you that is only disclosed monies, no one knows what these fighters make over a period of a year (sponsors, contracted money with ZUFFA etc.) ZUFFA is a privately held company and when you’re private there are “things” that stay that way, believe me on this..
On another note there is no real suprise that Rampage made the most money (show+win+fotn) and it is good to see him acting “normal” and that ZUFFA is acknowledging his “personal issues” during the broadcast etc.. Good night of fights and ZUFFA has delievered again.
This card did end up being a great card, very good night of fights to my surprise.
Great to see guys who wanna perform and really put on a great show.
Especially when it at first glance or impression didn’t seem to be a good card.
Way to get back to form Vera. Carwin is a beast and has extreme ko power. That was sick. Jardine has got to be one of the toughest guys out there to fight. He has fought only the best, even in a losing effort he is the man..
Of course Rampage is the best in and out the ring.
But I hope he does not think Rashad will be a easy win at all.
whats up True1, Vera did look “good and intense” yet who did he beat, not to discredit the guy he chopped down but com’on he was easily outclassed in so many ways, but he lets see what Vera does next ya know.
I dunno if Rampage is the best in or out of the Cage (he has had his issues in both area’s) but damn the guy is simply entertaining as hell… Did he or Jardine look their best absolutely not, was that a really fun fight to watch, hells ya…. Jardine won’t be going anywhere and I think here in the next year his fan base will grow, (ofcourse he has fans but ya know)
Matt Hamill is the man and F WAMMA
Whats happening FR
Yeah when I said the rampage was the best in and out I basically was talking personality wise, he’s a cool cat and a crazy fun light hearted character.
Even when Rashad got in his face he was still somewhat calm about it till the end. But he wasn’t evil or mean spirited by it.
I love Rashad but he is making harder to fight off or defend his antic’s. But the dude is a beast and is the champ, so you might not like but he walks the walk and talks the talk. Whooo! {rick flare on ya}
Yeah Vera did fight a guy who had no business fighting him but hey I said the same thang about matt brown fighting pete sell and look what happened.
Matt hamill is a beast. That was unreal!
Honestly though even though carwin won man he was getting the business handed to him at first. I see him having trouble in later rounds or if someone can avoid his ko power.
Cheers homey.
well I guess we know what the problem was with Rampage saying yes to Rashad – he wants a bigger payday.
All this garbage about too many fights in a row is just that.
Quinton “Show Me The Money or I Will Throw a Temper Tantrum and Leave” Jackson.
others will be looking to kick his ass for sure if for nothing else out of bitterness of the huge salary discrepancy – a total disgrace to the sport and puts his fight in a pathetic light, imo.
there is no honour in such a huge disparity, especially for a decision bout.
GO RASHAD!
or better yet the guy who really deserves the title shot Lyoto!
Wow… you really said that the highest paid guy on the card is thinking about turning down a title shot because he wants more money?
The other parts about pay disparity…. please see what has already been said about that.
Oh, and BTW Frank Mir made 40k to show against Lesnar, got 40k for a win, another 40 or 45k for submission of the night, and 85k from sponsors the first time he fought Lesnar, chew on that for a minute while you contemplate further complaining about Jardine’s pay… which would have doubled had he won the fight anyways.
(Credit to dbiz for the numbers on Mir that he posted when we had this stupid “fighters don’t get enough money” argument in February.)
where’s the money thing coming from w/ Rampage??? There some article I haven’t seen? Only reason I’ve seen him having to hold out for is a possible medical suspension. That can be waived by a doctor though. He made over twice what Rashad did when Rashad won the title, almost 3x really.
but yeah 96 was a better card than the last one.
justin…if this open forum, in which people post comments and opinions pertaining to MMA, is trying your patience, you’re certainly welcome to go elsewhere. judging by your little photo there, maybe a ‘japaninmation’ site would be more your speed. if you choose to stay, then suck it up buttercup…i read the refuse you constantly type, and i don’t leave with a pouting lower lip…
1. The comments and opinions don’t bother me, disagreement is fine, its having the same argument 15 times that bothers me.
2. It’s called “Anime”.
3. I don’t think I’ll be choosing to go anywhere else anytime soon.
My comment about me getting tired of people bringing up that same argument was not intended to say that I wasn’t willing to see it, and hang around on this site, but merely to state that I have gradually grown less willing to go into a full fledged explanation of why I feel a certain way about the pay issue, and have rather chosen to be blunt in my response to said comments. Maybe next time I should just post links to the previous times we’ve had that argument, would that be less offensive?
Ok not to sound like the hippie D-bag but this is getting ridiculous. I’ve been reading and posting on this site for almost a year. I don’t know what is going on but lately all this personal crap is dumb. This is a site for MMA not petty personal attacks. Justin is right a lot of us that have been on here for awhile are tired of hearing the same arguments over and over. Among these are fighter pay, UFC is evil and seeking world domination, Dana is a stupid D-bag, Dbiz being a smart a$$ (no offense of course), PAJR (people against joe rogan), and fighter bashing.
However, if you are new there is no way you can know that. Getting pissy because someone mentions something old or if you do not like the response you get to mentioning something old, is pretty pointless. Get over yourselves keep it on topic and if you disagree and you have a LEGITIMATE argument feel free to post and back up your argument. If you don’t like how some of us respond to an old argument then go back and view the related posts section and you will get that it is an old argument. There is nothing wrong w/ voicing your opinion but don’t always expect the world’s greatest response. I’m not calling out anyone in particular but I have noticed it and it’s a lil annoying.
Good point, I forgot about the related posts… with that I don’t have to post the links, I can just say “Go read the comments on the related posts.”
yup gotcha covered
ridiculous is a fantastic adjective to describe it chrisl!!! no one cares about the ‘pedigree’ or how freaking long anyone has been posting on this site…i’ve noticed that justin and yourself feel it necessary to let everyone know that you’ve ‘been around’, as if that makes any difference whatsoever. “a lot of you have been here for a while???” that’s rich man. it’s a site based on opinion. read the first line of a comment, and if you do not like the idea, opinion, or subject matter, move on. it’s a simple concept.
PS – sorry about the ‘anime’ justin, i don’t watch cartoons.
I think Justin’s point was that the “debate” has been done to death and no one can bring up a single valid reason why anyone should be paid more than their contracted amount. In fact, no one can point to a sport that has been around for so little time and pays better, but the complaints keep coming.
It’s been done to death. We know you’re going to call whine-one-one to get the waaahmbulance here with sirens blaring every time you have to read about these poor, underpaid guys getting easily six figures year in and year out, and you know Justin is going to comment on it. And yet, you keep doing it, so don’t complain when you get it.
In a word, it is ridiculous.
Furthermore, you jumping on the “don’t get personal” bandwagon is equally ridiculous, given your passive-aggressive shot at the end (i don’t watch cartoons).
Well I was actually partly defending you man haha. Just using how long I’ve been here to make a point about what I am observing it doesn’t earn me any extra points or add credibility to what I am saying at all. But seriously, we’re on the internet so it’s not like we’re going to strap on the 4oz. gloves and get in the ring, so why take it there keep it on the topic. Also if you don’t want your opinion questioned then why voice it on a site that has reply to comment as an option? Like you said this is a site about opinions but if you don’t want to get it commented on then don’t post it that is simpler. It goes both ways.
You say grove sucks and shouldn’t be here, I agree and just gave the reason for why he is still around. You think Jardine deserves more, I agree but his stats aren’t favorable for the raise. Make a point on the fighter, fight, or contract, is all I am saying cartoon network doesn’t come into play.
do a little backtracking gents, and you’ll see where this all evolved. this site will continue to field comments on pay, and everything else under the sun…thats the point. we all agree. if you’re sick of it, read on. i am forever reading about how ‘great’ sanchez is, or how dana is a dick…but i am certainly not acting like the almighty, telling people how it is, was, or should be. if i don’t like it, don’t agree,or don’t care, i move on.