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LAS VEGAS — Regardless of the outcome, Chuck Liddell will be the big winner at UFC 79 on Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

Liddell will earn a purse of $500,000 for his light heavyweight bout with Wanderlei Silva, said Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Silva, a former Pride champion, will earn $150,000.

Matt Hughes will make a guarantee of $100,000 and will earn a $100,000 bonus if he wins his fight for the UFC's interim welterweight title against Georges St. Pierre. St. Pierre will earn a guarantee of $80,000 and will receive an additional $80,000 as a bonus if he wins.

Light heavyweight Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou will make $40,000 with a $40,000 win bonus against Lyoto Machida. Machida will make $30,000 with a $30,000 win bonus.

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1 - 21 of 21

1. Posted by Harry Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT
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It's a shame that these guys get paid crap in respects to other professional sports. UFC will make over 50 million for UFC 79, the fighters deserve more than what they are getting. The only one that will get paid nicely is Chuck Lidell. UFC should be embarassed about how little they pay their mid and lower tier guys, its sad for the sport. I hope M-1 does well because it seems they will be a better organization in terms of providing benefits and better financial compensation to their athletes.
2. Posted by greengonzo13 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT
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its no wonder Dana tried to keep the purses private.. simply, truly embarrassing that these fighters, who generally put forward action which is arguably the most exciting in sports, are getting a pro-wresting-like slap in the face by supremely sub-par payouts.
3. Posted by Casey M. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT
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versus former collegiate wrestlers having to stay amateurs their entire career? This is a huge step in the right direction from 10 or 15 years ago, especially for a niche sport like MMA.
4. Posted by Bennihan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT
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machida's unattractive style nets him a small purse which is unfair because he has so much more experience then sokudoujou. liddell certainly earned himself a big payday with his performance in the octagon tonight
5. Posted by martyaa Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:09 pm EDT
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Kudos to yahoo for immediately posting the purses. I feel with you guys. These warriors hang it out for less than the taxpayers pay me in a month except the top tier guys. Im so glad I dont buy PPV boxing. I hope Floyd Mouthweather fights one fight, it will be his last. Im sure PPV revenues for Liddell won't be in but he will get a piece of that too I'm sure. White has made a statement with Pride fighters, the only one who has fared very well was Rampage and I'm sure that pis'd him off when he KO'd Dana's golden boy for the title. I liked the Pride rules with kicks anywhere on the mat and soccer kicks and stomps but the takeover and dismantling by Zuffa put an end to that. Hughes got schooled again, I love it!
6. Posted by AzShark Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT
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liddell makes the most cuz he is one of danas good ol boys look at what all the guys who have a personal relationship with dana and look at what they make its at least 25 % more money dana is gonna have this thing turn on him if he doesnt fix it i dont think it will catch on quick but eventually enough people will catch wind of the unfairness and begin to abandon ship
7. Posted by Mark S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT
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Mixed emotions about the payouts - they are shockingly low compared to the revenues being generated. I would expect the Big 4 to get a piece of the ppv action - let's face it, no one would buy this card if it weren't for those two huge matches. If UFC doesn't start spreading the wealth, then the Golden Goose will surely be cooked soon. But on the other hand, in the same vein as Casey M's post, where would these guys make this kind of money? Pro wrestling - take tons of 'roids and become a freak and live on the road 300+ days per year?
Sure Chuck can probably now move into movies and make some good money. But for the rest of the guys who aren't huge stars their choices are to be coaches.
8. Posted by c g Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT
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This article is wrong about the Scorecard for the Lidell vs Silva fight. One judge had it 29-28 Lidell, the two other judges had it 30-27 Lidell.
9. Posted by Rachel C Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 pm EDT
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The fighters agreed to the money they would receive. And sure Dana made alot of money, but to pay for everything that it takes to put on a fight like that has got to be expensive. The fighters knew before they fought how much money they would get (and must have agreed on it). So all is far in my book.
10. Posted by American Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT
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Yes, these guys put on a show and fight the ultimate fight for pennies. Compared to PPV Boxing when a fighter brings in Millions. Where is the percentage of the fight going? Lidell should get a percentage from PPV plus his purse. Man! they got screwed..BIG TIME!
11. Posted by American Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT
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Yes, these guys put on a show and fight the ultimate fight for pennies. Compared to PPV Boxing when a fighter brings in Millions. Where is the percentage of the fight going? Lidell should get a percentage from PPV plus his purse. Man! they got screwed..BIG TIME!
12. Posted by kronix Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT
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lol u have a point on the low payments they get but obiviously they are happy with it or iam sure they wouldnt fight plus they make all there dollars from endorsments (affliction) is hugh probably makn them all millions so its all good in the long run they look good so do there endorsers
13. Posted by kronix Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT
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p.s. think about mayweather hes thinkn of comn to the ufc hes makn 40 million a fight right now the biggest pay out in ufc has been to chuck and it was only 5.6 million so i think they know the payments they get and continue to stay loyal to dana white
all back to endorsements hugh money there
14. Posted by ORBErawkz Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:46 pm EDT
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look at all the crap these guys have all over their shorts. these dudes all make plenty of money in endorsements and advertising in addition to their purse. $100,000 for 15 mins of work and on average 2-3 fights a year. thats plenty of money. most these guys could retire after a couple professional fights, open up a mixed martial arts studio in their hometown and never fight again, but this is what they choose to do.
15. Posted by lensin Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT
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So now Im sure Mayweather is going to take a $16,000,000. pay cute to fight Joe Stevenson in the UFC.
16. Posted by Faheem Eric P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT
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Heck their medical bills will be larger than what they are getting if get hurt! SHAME!
17. Posted by The Legend Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT
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Chuck will make over a million when he gets his part of the PPV. The other main card guys will get a piece too.
18. Posted by The Legend Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT
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chuck will make over a million when he gets his part of the ppv. the other main card guys will get a piece too.
19. Posted by Dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT
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The pay offs do seem low considering the viewer have to pay through the nose to watch. Leaves me to wonder if that is the beef with some of the past fighters. Tito for one . I would like to know what kind of money he walked and kept walking with. How can Hughes still loose and make more when has already been beaten by St,Pierre twice. Hum... Dana whats up ....? DUDE...
20. Posted by Dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT
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The pay offs do seem low considering the viewer have to pay through the nose to watch. Leaves me to wonder if that is the beef with some of the past fighters. Tito for one . I would like to know what kind of money he walked and kept walking with. How can Hughes still loose and make more when has already been beaten by St,Pierre twice. Hum... Dana whats up ....? DUDE...
21. Posted by j Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT
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Who's making all the money? It seems these guys are getting paid much less than boxers and this card probbaly had more PPV buys than most. Matt Hughes makes 100K in a main event? Youd never see a boxer making that little on a PPV with this many buys. Is Dana White making all the money in this?