UFC 187 Salaries: Chris Weidman, ‘Rumble’ Johnson Top Payroll

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Daniel Cormier dominated Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC 187, but it was “Rumble” who pocketed the higher salary.

According to figures released by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Tuesday, Cormier took home $180,000 (including a $90,000 win bonus) for his May 23 victory in Las Vegas. Johnson, meanwhile, earned a flat salary of $500,000, which did not include any potential win bonus.

It’s doubtful that Cormier cares enough about the purse figures, though, as he exited the Octagon with the UFC light heavyweight championship belt around his waist. But it is a little puzzling to see that Cormier’s dominance -- coupled with the fact that his last bout was his ballyhooed grudge match with Jon Jones for the same title -- was only a fraction of what Johnson took home.

In the co-main event, Chris Weidman defended his middleweight title with a sensational drubbing of perennial contender Vitor Belfort. The champion banked $500,000 (including a $250,000 win bonus) while Belfort got $300,000 in “show” money.

The “Round of the Year” candidate between heavyweight sluggers Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne paid the two combatants handsomely. For the beating Browne eventually endured, he at least walked out of the cage with a cool $60,000. “The Pit Bull” was given $84,000.

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 187 Salaries

Daniel Cormier: $180,000 (includes $90,000 win bonus)
Anthony Johnson: $500,000

Chris Weidman: $500,000 (includes $250,000 win bonus)
Vitor Belfort: $300,000

Donald Cerrone: $152,000 (includes $76,000 win bonus)
John Makdessi: $30,000

Andrei Arlovski: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus)
Travis Browne: $60,000

Joseph Benavidez: $106,000 (includes $53,000 win bonus)
John Moraga: $28,000

John Dodson: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
Zach Makovsky: $19,000

Dong Hyun Kim: $116,000 (includes $58,000 win bonus)
Josh Burkman: $45,000

Rafael Natal: $70,000 (includes $35,000 win bonus)
Uriah Hall: $14,000

Colby Covington: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
Mike Pyle: $51,000

Islam Makhachev: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Leo Kuntz: $10,000

Justin Scoggins: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
Josh Sampo: $13,000