FIGHTERS GET THE SHAFT…SOUNDS LIKE BOXING
San Jose, CA– Having just got the official Saturday night numbers for the Cris Cyborg beheading of Gina Carano from the California Athletic Commission, I’m not kidding when I say the fighters are paid the equivilant of an arena janitor, only without the dental plan! Strikeforce, promoted by Scott Coker, had 13,976 paid for a ticket total of $735,710 sans any monies from Showtime.
That being said, here is the Strikeforce “Carano vs. Cyborg” payscale. And you tell me, has Coker gone too far when it comes to profit and not far enough when it comes to paying talent? Cristiane Santos–- $25,000 (including $5,000 win bonus) Def. Gina Carano –- $125,000. Biggest main event in female MMA history and the winner only gets $25 grand!
Gegard Mousasi –- $2,000 (no win bonus)
Def. Renato Sobral –- $75,000
Gilbert Melendez –- $50,000 (no win bonus)
Def. Mitsuhiro Ishida–- $30,000
Fabricio Werdum –- $50,000 (including $25,000 win bonus)
Def. Mike Kyle –- $14,000
Jay Hieron –- $55,000 ($30,000 win bonus)
Def. Jesse Taylor –- $12,000
Scott Lighty–- $4,000 (no win bonus)
Def. Mike Cook–- $2,500
Justin Wilcox –- $5,000 (including $2,500 win bonus)
Def. David Douglas– $5,500
James Terry –- $6,000 (including $3,000 win bonus)
Def. Zak Bucia –- $2,000
Alexander Trevino –- $3,500 (including $1,500 win bouns)
Isaiah Hill — $2,000
Total Purses: $468,500. Figure Coker got at least $300 K from Showtime. Add that to the gate of $735,710 and Coker grossed about about $600,000 for Strikeforce.
Matt Grizzle