‘TUF 27 Finale’ Salaries: Middleweight Prospect Israel Adesanya Earns Event-High $103,000

Israel Adesanya may be early in his Ultimate Fighting Championship career, but he is already bringing home some pretty decent-sized paychecks for his work in the Octagon.

“The Last Stylebender” earned $103,000 for his five-round decision triumph over Brad Tavares in “The Ultimate Fighter 27” finale headliner at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms in Las Vegas on Friday. The Nevada Athletic Commission released salaries from the event on Monday.

Adesanaya improved to 3-0 in UFC competition with the victory. Tavares, a 17-time Octagon veteran, banked $56,000 in defeat. “TUF 12” alum Alex Caceres was the card’s other high earner, as he garnered $84,000 for a split-decision triumph over Martin Bravo in a preliminary featherweight scrap.

Note: The disclosed purses reported by state athletic commissions do not include any performance-based or discretionary bonuses that may be awarded to a fighter by the promotion. Additionally, the reported figures do not reflect any deductions made by the commission for taxes, insurance, etc., and do not include any sponsorship money that a fighter may acquire for their performance.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale’ Salaries:

Israel Adesanya: $103,000 (includes $56,000 win bonus)
Brad Tavares: $56,000

Michael Trizano: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
Joe Giannetti: $15,000

Brad Katona: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
Jay Cucciniello: $15,000

Alex Caceres: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus)
Martin Bravo: $25,000

Roxanne Modafferi: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
Barb Honchak: $10,000

Alessio Di Chirico: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
Julian Marquez: $12,000

Montana De La Rosa: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
Rachael Ostovich: $12,000

Luis Pena: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Richie Smullen: $10,000

John Gunther: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Allan Zuniga: $10,000

Bryce Mitchell: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Tyler Diamond: $10,000

Steven Peterson: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Matt Bessette: $12,000

Gerald Meerschaert: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus)
Oskar Piechota: $14,000