Josh Barnett and Gegard Mousasi were not only two of the biggest winners at Strikeforce’s final show Saturday, they also took home the biggest purses.
Barnett, a longtime star in the heavyweight division, made $250,000 for his submission of newcomer Nandor Guelmino at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine at the Chesapeake Energy Center in Oklahoma City. Meanwhile former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Mousasi earned $175,000 after taking out Mike Kyle, also by submission. Neither Barnett nor Mousasi had a win bonus in his contract.
The one fighter who gained the most from his victory was heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier. He had the third best salary at $120,000, aided by his $60,000 win bonus.
In the main event, Tarec Saffiedine earned less than the man he beat, Nate Marquardt, though only by $1,000 after his total was doubled with the win.
The total payroll for the event was $1,153,500.
Here is the full list of salaries for Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine.
Tarec Saffiedine: $39,000 (includes $19,500 win bonus)
def. Nate Marquardt: $40,000
Daniel Cormier: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus)
def. Dion Staring: $8,000
Josh Barnett: $250,000 (no win bonus)
def. Nandor Guelmino: $12,000
Gegard Mousasi: $175,000 (no win bonus)
def. Mike Kyle: $25,000
Ronaldo Souza: $100,500 (includes $28,000 win bonus)
def. Ed Herman: $34,000
Ryan Couture: $22,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
def. KJ Noons: $41,000
Tim Kennedy: $80,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
def. Trevor Smith: $8,000
Pat Healy: $42,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Kurt Holobaugh: $9,000
Roger Gracie: $94,000 (includes $47,000 win bonus)
def. Anthony Smith: $10,000
Adriano Martins: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Jorge Gurgel: $10,000
Estevan Payan: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Michael Bravo: $6,000
Paydays provided by the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission (courtesy MMAjunkie.com).
NOTES: Only a handful of fighters received medical suspensions. UFC middleweight Ed Herman, who was making a cameo in his loss to Ronaldo Souza, was suspended indefinitely and must be medically cleared of shoulder, elbow and hand injuries. Newcomer Kurt Holobaugh also received an indefinite ban due to a hand injury sustained in his defeat vs. Pat Healy. Dion Staring, Anthony Smith and Michael Bravo were the other suspended fighters, each getting just 30 days.