David Branch collected a second WSOF title belt. | File photo: Keith Mills/Sherdog.com
Justin Gaethje successfully defended a title at World Series of Fighting 23, while David Branch added another belt to his trophy case. As a result, both fighters earned an event-high $100,000.
Gaethje had another memorable brawl with Luis Palomino ($20,000) in the evening’s headliner before putting his opponent away with punches 4:30 into the second round of their lightweight championship clash. Gaethje previously earned $60,000 for a third-round stoppage of Palomino in their first meeting at WSOF 19.
Already the promotion’s reigning middleweight king, Branch took home the vacant light heavyweight strap by tapping out Teddy Holder ($12,000) with a rear-naked choke 2:21 into the opening stanza of the co-main event.
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.
World Series of Fighting 23 Salaries:
Justin Gaethje: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus)
Luis Palomino: $20,000
David Branch: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus)
Teddy Holder: $12,000
Timur Valiev: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
Tito Jones: $3,000
Ben Fodor: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Roberto Yong: $2,000
Brian Foster: $14,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
LaRue Burley: $4,000
Vagab Vagabov: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
Brian Grinnell: $1,500
Clifford Starks: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
Krasimir Mladenov: $3,000
Matthew Frincu: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus)
Danny Davis Jr. : $3,000
David Nuzzo: $2,000 (includes $1,000 win bonus)
Andres Ponce: $1,000
Joey Miolla: $3,000 (includes $1,500 win bonus)
Randy Steinke: $1,500
Benny Madrid: $2,000 (includes $1,000 win bonus)
Jeff Fletcher: $1,000