D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
UFC veteran
Chris Leben was the biggest bread-earner at Monday’s
UFC Fight Night 20 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., despite his assignment to the event’s undercard. “The Ultimate Fighter” alumnus banked $60,000 for his unanimous decision win against
Jay Silva, a fight that didn’t make the live broadcast on Spike TV.
Thanks to the UFC’s popular performance bonuses, a few other fighters’ pockets weren’t left much lighter than Leben’s.
Evan Dunham scored $48,000 for his third-round submission over TUF 8 winner
Efrain Escudero (who made $15,000), which included a $30,000 bonus for the finish.
Aaron Simpson ($52,000) and
Tom Lawlor ($40,000) shared in “Fight of the Night” honors for a spirited back-and-forth tilt that saw Simpson’s comeback in the later rounds. They were both rewarded with $30,000 pay boosts as well.
In the main event, Xtreme Couture product
Gray Maynard took home $40,000 for his split decision nod over
Nate Diaz, who earned $48,000. Though Maynard avenged a mid 2007 loss to Diaz that took place on “The Ultimate Fighter 5,” the accomplished 30-year-old wrestler did little to bolster claim to a shot at champion
B.J. Penn’s lightweight title.
Gray Maynard -- $40,000 (including $20,000 win bonus) def.
Nate Diaz -- $48,000
Evan Dunham -- $48,000 (including $9,000 win bonus, $30,000 submission bonus) def.
Efrain Escudero -- $15,000
Aaron Simpson -- $52,000 (including $11,000 win bonus, $30,000 FOTN bonus) def.
Tom Lawlor -- $40,000 (including $30,000 FOTN bonus)
Amir Sadollah -- $30,000 (including $15,000 win bonus) def.
Brad Blackburn -- $13,000
Chris Leben -- $60,000 (including $30,000 win bonus) def.
Jay Silva -- $6,000
Rick Story -- $10,000 (including $5,000 win bonus) def.
Jesse Lennox -- $7,000
Nik Lentz -- $7,000 (no win bonus awarded for draw) vs.
Thiago Tavares -- $15,000
Rafael dos Anjos -- $16,000 (including $8,000 win bonus) def.
Kyle Bradley -- $8,000
Gerald Harris -- $42,000 (including $6,000 win bonus, $30,000 knockout bonus) def.
John Salter -- $6,000
Nick Catone -- $14,000 (including $7,000 win bonus) def.
Jesse Forbes -- $6,000
Note: These numbers, released to Sherdog.com by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, are disclosed pay only. They do not include additional bonuses or percentages of other revenue.
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