MVP 'Rousey vs. Carano' salaries: Three fighters earn seven-figure paydays

Ronda Rousey was the top earner from Saturday’s MVP card. |
Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix

As one might expect, Ronda
Rousey was the highest-paid athlete on
Most Valuable Promotions’ first-ever MMA card.

The California State Athletic Commission released salary figures
from Saturday’s event, which took place at the Intuit Dome in Los
Angeles. Rousey earned $2.2 million for her headlining bout against
Gina
Carano, who garnered $1.05 million. Francis
Ngannou was the third seven-figure earner on the card, as he
took home $1.5 million for a heavyweight clash against Philipe
Lins ($100,00).

Meanwhile, Nate Diaz
($500,000) and Mike Perry
($400,000) were well compensated for their welterweight bout in the
co-main event. Former Bellator champ Jason
Jackson ($110,000) was the only other fighter to receive a
six-figure check. Everyone who competed on the card received at
least a minimum purse of $40,000.

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.