Tag: Daniel Rodriguez

UFC on ESPN 9 salaries: Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns top list of highest paydays

UFC on ESPN 9 headliners Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns topped the list of fight night paydays.

The UFC on ESPN 9 headliners were paid as such, respective to the rest of the card.

According to a Nevada State Athletic Commission (NAC) document acquired by MMA Junkie on Monday, former UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] topped the list of highest earners with a $200,000 paydays, despite his loss to [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag], who earned $164,000.

Two other fighters earned six figures. Co-main event winner [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] earned $100,000 in a winning effort against [autotag]Blagoy Ivanov[/autotag]. Former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] took home $120,000 for her victory over [autotag]Antonina Shevchenko[/autotag] in the featured prelim bout.

UFC on ESPN 9 took place Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card and prelims simulcasted on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full list of UFC on ESPN+ 29 salaries included:

  • Gilbert Burns: $164,000 (includes $84,000 win bonus) def. Tyron Woodley: ($200,000)
  • Augusto Sakai: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Blagoy Ivanov ($60,000)
  • [autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Spike Carlyle[/autotag]: $12,000
  • [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] $12,000
  • [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $66,000 (includes $33,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Hannah Cifers[/autotag]: $25,000
  • Katlyn Chookagian: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus) def. Antonina Shevchenko: $35,000
  • [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Gabriel Green[/autotag]: $12,000
  • [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Klidson Abreu[/autotag]: $18,000
  • [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag]: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Tim Elliott[/autotag]: $31,000
  • [autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag]: $54,000 (includes $27,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag]: $48,000
  • [autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag]: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Vince Morales[/autotag]: $20,000

The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, including the official UFC on ESPN 9 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay. They also do not include any other “locker room” or special discretionary bonuses the UFC sometimes pays. They also do not include pay-per-view cuts that some top-level fighters receive.

For example, UFC officials handed out additional $50,000 UFC 249 fight-night bonuses to Burns and Dern for “Performance of the Night,” and Royval and Elliott for “Fight of the Night.”

In other words, the above figures are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event.

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Daniel Rodriguez wants to keep on rolling after eighth straight win at UFC on ESPN 9

Take a look inside Daniel Rodriguez’s win over Gabe Green at UFC on ESPN 9 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag] beat Gabe Green with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 9 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Rodriguez, who came to the UFC on short notice in February and now has eight straight wins.

Result: Daniel Rodriguez def. Gabriel Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Rodriguez (12-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Green (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: Rodriguez won the striking battle 175-127.

Rodriguez on the fight’s key moment

“I know the guy. He’s tough. He took some serious shots and he kept pushing forward, and that’s everything I expected out of him. I won – I’m happy with that.”

Rodriguez on another UFC win

“It’s a good feeling. I took the first fight (in the UFC) on short notice, and I thought it wasn’t going to happen. This time, I thought it wasn’t going to happen. I’m really grateful to be fighting while there’s no other sports going on and the whole world’s watching. It feels good to pull off a victory.”

Rodriguez on what he wants next

“(I’m going to) keep on fighting. Just heal up a little bit – my leg’s feeling a little (sore). … I just got through a war. So (let’s) see where I’m at. I’ll be ready to fight again soon.”

To hear more from Rodriguez, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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UFC on ESPN 9 rookie report: Grading the newcomers in Las Vegas

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the octagon the first time. How did the two newcomers perform Saturday?

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For two athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event marked that special moment in their career.

Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression they made on the sport’s biggest stage from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

* * * * *

Brandon Royval

Division: Flyweight
Result: Brandon Royval def. Tim Elliott via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:18
Record: 11-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC
Grade: B+

Denver flyweight [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] was handed a tough task for his UFC debut, but the former LFA flyweight champion passed the test with flying colors with an impressive submission finish.

Royval’s second-round arm-triangle finish of flyweight veteran Tim Elliott was one of the night’s outstanding performances at UFC on ESPN 9 as he earned a win on his octagon debut over ranked opposition and bagged a cool $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus in the process.

UFC veteran Elliott has shared the octagon with some of the division’s best over his previous 13 fights for the promotion, and his ability to take the fight to the mat certainly gave Royval problems early on. But, the debutant showed excellent composure as he worked his way into the fight, then used Elliott’s aggression against him to score an impressive submission win.

Despite being forced to fight off the back foot, and his back, in the opening five minutes Royval showed that he’s dangerous in the scrambles as he threatened with a Kimura, then an armbar, during an action-packed first round. And when the action got underway in Round 2, Royval turned the tables and enjoyed some top-position pressure of his own.

At times Royval over-committed with his strikes as he attempted to establish his stand-up game, but despite being punished with another Elliott takedown midway through the round, the debutant once again showed his scrambling ability as turned the tables on Elliott and locked up an arm-triangle choke to force the tap.

Royval showed great composure under duress, impressive cardio against a relentless opponent and the grappling smarts to create a submission opening, then finish it. There’s some room for improvement – we didn’t see the best of his striking game –  but against such a high-octane opponent, Royval showed plenty to suggest that he’ll pose a serious threat at 125 pounds.

He also gave a hint that there’s much more to come, too. Royval was close to tears with disappointment as he spoke to Daniel Cormier after the fight. To be that disappointed after finishing the No. 11-ranked contender on his debut shows that he’s set sky-high standards for himself. If he comes closer to meeting them in his next few performances, we could soon see him right up there at the sharp end of the division.

Next up: All-action welterweight has plenty of upside, despite defeat

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UFC on ESPN 9 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total passes $33 million

UFC on ESPN 9 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $114,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 9 took place at the UFC Apex. The card aired on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 9 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Blagoy Ivanov[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Spike Carlyle[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Hannah Cifers[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Antonina Shevchenko[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: $3,500
df. [autotag]Gabriel Green[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Klidson Abreu[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Tim Elliott[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Vince Morales[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,063,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $33,068,000
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Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC on ESPN 9 with Kanye, Nipsey and DMX

See what the fighters from UFC on ESPN 9 went with as their backing tracks in Las Vegas.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN 9 went with as their backing tracks in Las Vegas.

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Contender Series watch: Meet the nine DWCS alums set for action at UFC on ESPN 9

Take a look at the nine Dana White’s Contender Series alum that will be competing on this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 card in Las Vegas.

The UFC on ESPN 9 card features nine fighters who previously have competed on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Not all of them earned contracts from their appearance on the show, but those who didn’t certainly remained on the UFC’s radar until they eventually got the call.

Some of the former Contender Series athletes will get to revisit a familiar place when they compete Saturday at the UFC Apex, which has been the home of the talent-finding series since Season 3.

Here are the nine Contender Series alums who will be in action Saturday:

Augusto Sakai (vs. Blagoy Ivanov)

[autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] earned a UFC contract on the first edition of Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil in 2018 when he stopped Marcos Conrado Jr. in the second round.

Since then, Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has scored three big wins over Chase Sherman, Andrei Arlovski and Marcin Tybura, earning a spot in the UFC’s top 15 heavyweight rankings as a result.

He will take on Bulgarian veteran Blagoy Ivanov in the co-main event as he looks to establish himself as one of the rising contenders in the division.

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Gabriel Green expected to replace Kevin Holland at UFC on ESPN 9, meet Daniel Rodriguez

The UFC has zoned in on a new opponent for Daniel Rodriguez for Saturday’s card. Enter Gabriel Green.

The UFC has zoned in on a new opponent for [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]. Enter [autotag]Gabriel Green[/autotag].

Tuesday, MMA Junkie reported Rodriguez’s original opponent Kevin Holland was removed from UFC on ESPN 9 after suffering an injury.

The promotion is currently finalizing a bout between Green (9-2 MMA, 0-0) and Rodriguez (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) for the event, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Junkie on Tuesday.

UFC on ESPN 9 is expected to take place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, pending approval from the Nevada Athletic Commission. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

A former Bellator competitor, Green has turned heads on the regional scene for his current six-fight finishing streak. In nine professional victories, Green has never gone the distance – with five submissions and four TKOs.

As for Rodriguez, the Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus is riding high off a submission victory over Tim Means in February. The Donald Cerrone protege has won eight straight fights.

With the change, the UFC on ESPN 9 lineup includes:

  • Gilbert Burns vs. Tyron Woodley
  • Blagoy Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai
  • Gabriel Green vs. Daniel Rodriguez
  • Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver
  • Hannah Cifers vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Katlyn Chookagian vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Spike Carlyle vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Klidson Abreu vs. Jamahal Hill
  • Tim Elliott vs. Brandon Royval
  • Casey Kenney vs. Louis Smolka
  • Chris Gutierrez vs. Vince Morales

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Kevin Holland injured, out of UFC on ESPN 9 bout vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Kevin Holland won’t be making a 14-day turnaround after all, since he’s been removed from his UFC on ESPN 9 bout due to injury.

[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] won’t be making a quick turnaround, after all.

Holland (17-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) was scheduled to fight [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 9 on Saturday. However, he was not given medical clearance to compete after sustaining an injury in training.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of Holland’s removal but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. It is believed the promotion is currently seeking a replacement to take on Rodriguez (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC).

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Holland, 27, was scheduled to make a 14-day turnaround. On May 16, Holland defeated Anthony Hernandez by TKO in 39 seconds. The fight against Rodriguez was expected to be his welterweight debut in the UFC.

As for Rodriguez, the Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus is riding high off a submission victory over Tim Means in February. The Donald Cerrone protege has won eight straight fights.

With Holland’s removal the UFC on ESPN 9 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+)

  • Gilbert Burns vs. Tyron Woodley
  • Blagoy Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai
  • Daniel Rodriguez vs. TBA
  • Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver
  • Hannah Cifers vs. Mackenzie Dern

PRELIMINARY CARD (6 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+)

  • Katlyn Chookagian vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Spike Carlyle vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Klidson Abreu vs. Jamahal Hill
  • Tim Elliott vs. Brandon Royval
  • Casey Kenney vs. Louis Smolka
  • Chris Gutierrez vs. Vince Morales

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UFC on ESPN 9: Make your predictions for Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event in Las Vegas.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ESPN 9 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN 9 is expected to take place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It first must be approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission at a Wednesday meeting. The card airs on ESPN and streams ESPN+.

Make your picks for all five main card fights inside:

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