UFC on Fox 5 Salaries

The top fighters' pay has come a long long way since UFC 1, but there is still a huge discrepancy with the fighers on the undercard. It amazes me that there are some guys who still fight for less than $10,000 per fight guaranteed in the UFC. That seems ludicrous considering how much money the UFC rakes in on these events. Of course, I guess if there were no fighters willing to take that much money, the amount would have to go up...free market and supply/demand and all that... Even so, it still seems like a paltry amount for what these guys are going through and where they are fighting...the fight in the NFL of fight leagues. Anyways...here are the numbers...

UFC on Fox 5 Salaries:
Benson Henderson: $78,000
(Includes $39,000 win bonus)

Nate Diaz: $50,000

Alexander Gustafsson: $60,000
(Includes $30,000 win bonus)

Mauricio Rua: $175,000

Rory MacDonald: $42,000
(Includes $21,000 win bonus)

B.J. Penn: $150,000

Matt Brown: $54,000
(Includes $27,000 win bonus)

Mike Swick: $48,000

Yves Edwards: $32,000
(Includes $16,000 win bonus)

Jeremy Stephens: $24,000

Raphael Assuncao: $38,000
(Includes $19,000 win bonus)

Mike Easton: $14,000

Ramsey Nijem: $20,000
(Includes $10,000 win bonus)

Joe Proctor: $8,000

Daron Cruickshank: $16,000
(Includes $8,000 win bonus)

Henry Martinez: $8,000

Abel Trujillo: $12,000
(Includes $6,000 win bonus)

Marcus LeVesseur: $8,000

Dennis Siver: $62,000
(Includes $31,000 win bonus)

Nam Phan: $10,000

Scott Jorgensen: $41,000
(Includes $20,500 win bonus)

John Albert: $10,000

Growing Sport

The article below is a very interesting read. I agree with the author's sentiments....particularly this quote:

"People vested in MMA often say that is the fastest-growing sport in the world, but that statement is inaccurate and trite. The sport is still growing -- if it were not, there would be no Fox deal for the UFC -- but it is not exploding past the NFL, MLB or NBA, either. More people accept the sport than did 10 years ago, but others remain firmly entrenched in the Davis camp, even if they do not share his exact sentiments.

I know this because I worked in a newsroom for six years. In print media, MMA is only grudgingly accepted, and many in that environment still believe “ultimate fighting” is something kids do at bars on weekends. When someone is killed or injured and a UFC event just happened to be on in the background, you can bet a copy editor is going to make sure “MMA” makes it into the headline, relevant or not. Every sport has its detractors. They say that football causes brain trauma; NBA players are disinterested; baseball takes too long; and the list goes on.

MMA still has its naysayers, as well. We just have to appreciate the passionate, still-growing group that makes it a point to correct them whenever ignorance rears its ugly head."


This is all part of the sport growing I think. Anything new and different will be met with some measure of caution at best and opposition at worst. I was listening to Colin Cowherd a few weeks ago, and he railed on MMA in a similar, albeit more politically correct way. My thoughts were very similar to the article's author when I was listening to Cowherd's opinion that MMA may be too violent. This video made me feel better about it though: Lesnar punks Cowherd

The article is a good read, especially for MMA enthusiasts.

Ignorance is not bliss...

UFC: Macao

I thought I'd give my thoughts on the fights as I watch the main fights. I recoreded the card because I wasn't home to watch it on Saturday night.

Takanori Gomi v. Mac Danzig
Overall: Gomi did enough to win the fight, but it was a close fight. I didn't see a split decision, but I though Gomi was the winner. Danzig looked good though. I wouldn't mind seeing a rematch.


Dong Hyun Kim v. Paulo Thiago
Kim completely dominated and smothered Thiago the entire fight. Thiago was fighting to surive the entire fight and mounted no offense. Kim looked very impressive. I'd like to see him get a top guy in welterweight and get a title shot if he wins that fight. He is a smothering judoka. I like his fight style.


Thiago Silva v. Stanislav Nedkov

Rd 1: Nedkov is a good bit smaller, but he is bringing it to Silva. Not intimidated at all. Very nice exchanges. Nedkov controlled the round. Rd 1 to Nedkov

Rd 2: Cup shot...oww. Nedkov recovered. Nice exchange. Silva using his range. Nedkov pushed Silva against the cage again and controlling the round again and looking for a takedown. Ref broke them up. These guys are brawling, then Nedkov shoots for a takedown and puts pressure on Silva again...and again...Silva's knees to the thigh and leg kicks are nasty...Nedkov drops Silva! Rocked him and nice ground and pound. Rd 2: was close throughout, but Nedkov stole it at the end I think

Rd 3: Came out brawling...throwing the overhand right again, trying to catch Silva again. Back and forth battle on the feet. Silva getting the  better of the battle. Silva with take down and mount. Nedkov looks exhausted. Silva is smothering him on the bottom. Silva with devasting elbows. Locks in Head and Arm choke! Nedkov taps...no longer undefeated.

Great fight. Back and forth battle. Nice submission.


Now to the Main Event!

Cung Lee v. Rich Franklin

This should be an exciting fight. Rich has a large reach advantage, but Lee's kicks are nuts.

Rd 1: Rich feinting a lot. Nice exchanges so far. Lee is an exciting striker. You don't see many strikers now that can use those karate-style kicks effectively in MMA. Franklin landing a bit early. The reach is a huge.....OMG Franklin KTFO! He is just now regaining his senses. What a knock out. Franklin was out before he hit the mat. That was a devasting shot. One of the best KOs I've seen this year.



Overall, I enjoyed the card. The fights were mostly entertaining, especially the last 4...they were great fights. Good job UFC on its history-making China Card.

MMA Promotion News

There is a new competitor in town, and I'm sure Dana has already declared war on them. Their first card looked like it would have been a good one. I didn't get to watch it, but I will probably watch the fights on-line when I get time. The new promotion is called the World Series of Fighting. Interesting title, but the fight card was actually filled with some solid fighters, including Miguel Torres, Andre Arlovski and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.

Here are a few links about the event:

Arlovski was on a terrible skid in his career, but Greg Jackson took him under his wing and has seemingly resurrected the Pitbull's career. I also happened to pick Jackson's gym as a feature in my SMWW MMA course discussion this week...nice pick me :)
http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Andrei-Arlovski-on-Greg-Jackson-Hes-Like-A-Big-Brother-for-Me-47071

Here is a synopsis of the fights: http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Andrei-Arlovski-Rumble-Johnson-Shine-in-World-Series-of-Fighting-Debut-47063

The WSOF president's interview about the event: http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videointerview/World-Series-of-Fighting-President-Proud-of-WSOF-Debut-4317

WSOF payroll for the first event: http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/World-Series-of-Fighting-Salaries-Andrei-Arlovski-3660K-Anthony-Johnson-3655K-Top-Payroll-47083


Bellator tapping the Russian Market for fighters while the UFC only has 4 Russian fighters on its roster....interesting: http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/From-Russia-With-Gloves-47017

-BJW-

Anderson Silva still the P4P King

As I said in my 8/2009 post, Anderson Silva is the best figher in the world, bar none. I think that he has only added to his legend since that 2009 post. I've never seen anything like the Silva/Bonnar fight. He let Bonnar hit him...let him. This guys probably weighed 20 to 30 pounds more than Silva during the actual fight. Silva didn't even weigh 205 at the weigh in. I've never seen a guy toy with a proven/tough fighter, let his opponent hit him, then end the fight whenever he so choose...that is exactly what Silva did. A lot of people are saying that Bonnar wasn't that good...blah blah...but Bonnar is a warrior. He'd never been stopped (aside from a cut) in around 16 bouts in the UFC. That is ridiculous regardless the weight division or opponents with the talent level what it is now in the UFC...and Silva destroyed him....

Silva basically said that he wants a superfight next and is calling for GSP at a catch weight. Like I said in my 8/2009 post, that would be a dream fight, but a Silva/J. Jones fight would be even better...even so, I am stoked that this fight might happen! On a side note...I can't stand Bisping, so I hope to God that the UFC will feed him to the Spider...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2012/10/23/anderson-silva-georges-st-pierre-ufc-superfight/1653497/

These two articles give a great perspective from the viewpoint of Silva's opponents:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jorge-Rivera-Anderson-Silva-Stronger-Than-He-Looks-Winked-When-Hit-46583

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Patrick-Cote-Fighting-Anderson-Silva-a-Complicated-Weird-Experience-46559

This was just a great promo for the Silva/Bonnar fight...I've watched it like 50 times. Hilarious...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN2u2cV76PI

BJW

A few more gifs from some of the most exciting fight endings recently...just for fun

Jardine gets KTFO


Kimbo............Hahahahahahaha...


Machida is a master...would love to see him and Silva square off, but will never happen...


Big Shane Carwin is one of my favorite new faces in the UFC...and may be the only one who can give Brock a run for his money:



Another Carwin KO...I actually called this exact result pre-fight ;) I should have taken the bet lol...



Brett who?? Guess I'll ask AA...wait, he probably won't remember...


another angle:



This was from last night...man, Torres was 36 and 1 with a 17 fight win streak going on...guess it shows that it can happen to anybody at any time:



Silva channels Bruce Lee?!? That explains a lot... :)



Fedor punking an ex-UFC HW Champ...Arlovski on here twice is a bad omen for his career...




Oh how far Chucky has fallen...

UFC 101: A. Silva P4P #1

The card wasn't my favorite, but the Silva/Griffin fight was nuts!!! I understand that Forrest was a perfect match-up for a highlight-reel performance by Silva (like Leben), but that still doesn't make the utter destruction of a top-5 LHW by a MW any less amazing. Forrest may have touched Silva once during the whole fight...I've only ever seen that kind of head movement in Ali fights. Silva is the undeniable pound-for-pound top fighter in the world.

I know, I know...what about Fedor... Fedor?!? The same guy who ducks the top fighters in his weight class? Fedor signed with Strikeforce for goodness sake...there is no one there to fight him? I'll agree that there aren't too many people in the world that could give Fedor a fight, but that is the same for Silva. One big difference is that Silva is rumored to want to give up his MW title...yeah, you read correctly - GIVE UP the title b/c there is simply no one left for him to beat. He wants to fight the best, so will more than likely move up to LHW so that he can get some competition for once, even though he is undersized. He wants a challenge! That is the difference between Silva and Fedor. Fedor is riding his status with easy fights, which Silva could do as well, to an easy payday. That is what sets Silva apart from Fedor.

GSP could be mentioned in this discussion as well, but we may see a GSP/Silva match-up...please God. My dream fight! Also, until GSP fights above his weight class and destroys the top level guys at MW - Hendo, Fitch, etc - he is, at least to me, under Silva for the pound-for-pound crown. Also, it took GSP (who is my second fav fighter behind Silva) 4 rounds to dispense with the champ in the division BELOW his, while Silva wrecked a top-5 LHW only 9 months removed from the UFC LHW title...

Amazing!

Funny faces as fans boo (which pisses me off btw)...soon enough they'd be cheering:



Silva knocks Forrest down:

And again:

And yet again...that head movement is just sick...

And night night to Forrest...