Silva’s $320K Leads UFC 117 Paydays

Middleweight champion Anderson Silva earned an event-high $320,000 in his stirring submission victory against Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 “Silva vs. Sonnen” on Aug. 7 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., according to figures released on Monday by the California State Athletic Commission.

Silva’s tally includes $60,000 “Fight of the Night” and $60,000 “Submission of the Night” bonuses. The champion, who had lost each of the first four rounds, submitted Sonnen with a fifth-round triangle choke to retain his middleweight crown and his place as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter. The end came with a Sonnen tapout 3:10 into round five.

The win improved the 35-year-old Silva to 12-0 inside the Octagon, though he spent nearly the entire fight underneath Sonnen. The challenger banked $95,000 in defeat, his $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus included.

UFC 117 “Silva vs. Sonnen” Payouts

Anderson Silva -- $320,000 (includes $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus, $60,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus)
def.
Chael Sonnen -- $95,000 (includes $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus)

Jon Fitch -- $108,000 (includes $54,000 win bonus)
def.
Thiago Alves -- $60,000

Clay Guida -- $56,000 (includes $28,000 win bonus)
def.
Rafael dos Anjos -- $12,000

Matt Hughes: $260,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus, $60,000 “Submission of the Night bonus)
def.
Ricardo Almeida -- $35,000

Junior dos Santos -- $80,000 (includes $40,000 win bonus)
def.
Roy Nelson -- $15,000

Rick Story -- $22,000 (includes $11,000 win bonus)
def.
Dustin Hazelett -- $18,000

Phil Davis -- $18,000 (includes $9,000 win bonus)
def.
Rodney Wallace -- $6,000

Johny Hendricks -- $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
def.
Charlie Brenneman -- $8,000

Tim Boetsch -- $32,000 (includes $16,000 win bonus)
def.
Todd Brown -- $6,000

Stefan Struve -- $90,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus, $60,000 “Knockout of the Night bonus)
def.
Christian Morecraft -- $6,000

Dennis Hallman -- $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def.
Ben Saunders -- $12,000

Note: These numbers, sent to Sherdog.com by the California State Athletic Commission, are disclosed pay only. UFC performance bonuses, handed out separately by the promotion, are also noted. These figures do not include additional bonuses or percentages of other revenue.