UFC Fight Night Salaries: Roy Nelson Tops Payroll; Hendricks Outearns ‘Wonderboy’

Burgeoning welterweight star Stephen Thompson may have stolen the show at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, but it was co-main event winner Roy Nelson who collected the evening’s biggest check.

Nelson took home a disclosed paycheck of $125,000 for his three-round decision win over fellow heavyweight Jared Rosholt ($33,000), according to figures released on Monday by the Nevada Athletic Commission. “Big Country” earned $75,000 of his pay in “show” money and an additional $50,000 as a “win” bonus.

Thompson, who punched out Johny Hendricks in the first round of their headlining duel, earned a disclosed total of $48,000 for his performance. However, former champion Hendricks more than doubled his opponent’s paycheck in defeat, walking away with $100,000 in show money.

Other high earners from the event included flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez ($118,000), welterweight veteran Mike Pyle ($106,000) and light heavyweight Ovince St. Preux ($102,000).

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.

UFC Fight Night ‘Hendricks vs. Thompson’ Salaries

Stephen Thompson: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus)
Johny Hendricks: $100,000

Roy Nelson: $125,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus)
Jared Rosholt: $33,000

Ovince St. Preux: $102,000 (includes $51,000 win bonus)
Rafael Cavalcante: $42,000

Joseph Benavidez: $118,000 (includes $59,000 win bonus)
Zach Makovsky: $19,000

Misha Cirkunov: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
Alex Nicholson: $10,000

Mike Pyle: $106,000 (includes $53,000 win bonus)
Sean Spencer: $17,000

Joshua Burkman: $90,000 (includes $45,000 win bonus)
K.J. Noons: $34,000

Derrick Lewis: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
Damian Grabowski: $18,000

Justin Scoggins: $34,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus)
Ray Borg: $18,000

Diego Rivas: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Noad Lahat: $17,000

Mickey Gall: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Mike Jackson: $10,000

Alex White: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
Artem Lobov: $13,000