UFC 262 main event saw a new lightweight champion getting crowned. Charles Oliveira finally reaped fruits for his years of hard work and at the promotion as he captured the coveted belt. After 11 years into his career in the UFC, he became the 11th lightweight champion for the promotion.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While the belt may have given him satisfaction, it’s the paycheck that will make him happier. Let’s have a look at the estimated payments some prominent fighters received after their performance at UFC 262.
Charles Oliveira- a big (pay) day in the office
‘Do Bronx’ had a scare in the first round where Michael Chandler almost finished him but the former survived in that round before finishing the latter in the second.
OLIVEIRA KNOCKS CHANDLER OUT!!! #UFC262pic.twitter.com/DjuMar88Su
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) May 16, 2021
As per the reports, Oliveira was guaranteed a purse of $400,000. He further earned 32,000 as the sponsorship bonus (UFC’s deal with sports apparel company Venum) and collected $100,000 as a winning bonus.
Oliveira also earned an increased performance bonus of $75,000 (previously it was $50,000). His grand total stood around $875,000 (including pay-per-view bonuses).
Michael Chandler- has something to smile about
MMA great and lightweight veteran Chandler lost his second match for the promotion. But in terms of pocketing the money, he was close to the champion.
He was promised a cool $500,000 guaranteed purse before the fight. He earned $42,000 from the sponsorship bonus. In the end, his total stood close to $842,000, which also included PPV bonuses.
Tony Ferguson- bad day in the office but still made good
‘El Cucuy’ had a forgettable outing as a spirited Beneil Dariush wrestled him out of the fight in the co-main event. But in spite of this moral breaking loss, he managed to earn well.
Just like Chandler, he minted $500,000 as guaranteed pay and a further $32,000 from sponsorship bonus. His total aggregate stood around $750,000, including PPV bonuses.
Beneil Dariush’s payday
The man who silenced Ferguson earned $200,000 as guaranteed pay and pocketed $100,000 as a winning bonus. A minted another $21,000 from the sponsorship bonus. His total stood around $321,000.
Charles Oliveira owes a thank you to Ferguson
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Ferguson had a field day in the pre-fight conference where he had urged UFC to increase the Performance of the Night bonus. He had cheekily said, “everything is bigger in Texas.”
The UFC obliged his request and had announced an increase of $25,000 in the already running $50,000 before the event. The latter amount was last configured in 2013.
Ferguson. meanwhile, has a lot of things to deal with after succumbing to a third straight loss. With this loss, his title aspiration took an immense blow. The time is ticking away for him to have any hope.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What did you make of their earnings?
READ MORE: ‘The Sun Will Rise Tomorrow’- Michael Chandler Confident of Fighting For The UFC Title Again