Chris Weidman finally made it to the big time following his sensational second round knockout win over former pound-for-pound champion Anderson Silva at UFC 162. However, little did everybody know that the champ netted just a mere fraction of what "The Spider" collected on Saturday.
Weidman, now boasting an unblemished 10-0 slate and 6-0 since joining the UFC, has reportedly collected a disclosed paycheck of $48,000. It's basically his base salary of $24,000 and a bonus of $24,000 for ending the UFC winning streak of arguably the greatest MMA fighter in history.
Silva, on the other hand, got a 'whopping' $600,000 despite clowning around throughout the fight. But honestly, Silva still deserves more than that. As one of the biggest draws in a bloody sport that has produced millions of dollars out of pay-per-view buys, Silva should have easily gotten a seven-figure paycheck.
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are pocketing around $25 to $50 million per fight, but why not Silva? If you are kind of intrigued what other UFC 162 fighters earned at fight night, here is the complete base salary and the win bonuses total of these ring gladiators. (courtesy of MMA Junkie).
UFC 162 Payday
Chris Weidman: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus)
def. Anderson Silva: $600,000
Frankie Edgar: $240,000 (includes $120,000 win bonus)
def. Charles Oliveira: $21,000
Tim Kennedy: $90,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus)
def. Roger Gracie: $50,000
Mark Munoz: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Boetsch: $37,000
Cub Swanson: $58,000 (includes $29,000 win bonus)
def. Dennis Siver: $33,000
Andrew Craig: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Leben: $51,000
Norman Parke: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Kazuki Tokudome: $8,000
Gabriel Gonzaga: $58,000 (includes $29,000 win bonus)
def. Dave Herman: $23,000
Edson Barboza: $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus)
def. Rafaello Oliveira: $14,000
Brian Melancon: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Seth Baczynski: $16,000
Mike Pierce: $56,000 (includes $28,000 win bonus)
def. David Mitchell: $10,000
The figures are plainly their base salaries and win bonuses. Not included are the deductions for insurance, licenses and taxes. Special discretionary bonuses and sponsorship bonuses are not also disclosed while share of pay-per-view revenues are available to only top-tier fighters.