The action does not stop! UFC Vegas 78 is bringing us a blockbuster fight night card at the UFC Apex. With a rather stacked card with some big-name matchups in store, let’s also check out the fighter purse and salaries from the night.
As the headliner of the event, we have the return of Rafael Dos Anjos. Previously, Rafael collected his first win since moving back up to welterweight. As such, Dos Anjos submitted Bryan Barberena late last year and is finally returning to action. Facing him is #10 ranked Vicente Luque, who is coming off the back of two straight losses.
Brazil against Brazil in the top spot Saturday!
🇧🇷@VicenteLuqueMMA vs 🇧🇷@RdosAnjosMMA headlines #UFCVegas78 this weekend! pic.twitter.com/qaOwEMnLgc
— UFC (@ufc) August 7, 2023
In the co-main event, fans will witness the return of the veteran Cub Swanson. Now 39, Swanson is still very much in love with the sport and is grateful for the career he has had so far. With a career spanning over 19 years, 41-fights, Swanson has fought the best of the best. On Saturday night, he takes on a young contender in Hakeem Dawodu. Not only that, we have even more interesting names scattered throughout the card as well.
Notably, heavyweights Khalil Rountree Jr. and Chris Daukaus are also on the card. In addition, we have Polyana Viana taking on Iasmin Lucindo and Josh Fremd vs Jamie Pickett to round out the main card. Moreover, the electric Terrance McKinney will also be fighting on the undercard. Thus, fans are in for plenty of action on August 12.
UFC London: Vicente Luque vs Rafael Dos Anjos fight purse and salaries
Before taking a look at the fight purse and salaries for this event, here are a few things to keep in mind. For the most part, fighter salaries are usually not revealed, as such, we try to estimate a fighter’s payout by looking at their previous, officially revealed payouts. Thus, you must keep in mind that these payouts can also vary based on a fighter’s win bonus, performance bonus, along with other sponsorship and incentive-based payouts.
With that said, let’s get started. According to reports by The Sports Daily, Rafael Dos Anjos is set to be the highest earner from the event. As such, the Brazilian will take home a guaranteed payout of $321,000. Similarly, his opponent, Vicente Luque will reportedly receive a payout of $216,000. As mentioned previously, fighters’ payouts will vary based on the outcome of their fight. Thus RDA and Luque could earn an additional $50,000 as well.
Rounding out the highest-paid fighters at the event we have Cub Swanson ($141,000), Khalil Rountree Jr. ($86,000), and Chris Daukaus ($86,000). Similarly, Hakeem Dawodu ($66,000), Polyana Viana ($66,000), Terrance McKinney ($36,000), and Jamie Pickett ($36,000) will also be earning a solid paycheck. Other notable payouts include Tafon Nchukwi ($36,000), Josh Fremd ($28,500), and JP Buys ($28,500).
According to the reports, the UFC is set to shell out $1.4 Million in salaries, incentives, and bonuses. From that amount, the UFC will pay out $173,000 worth of incentive pay for the fighters. This will require the fighters to comply with outfitting requirements, media responsibilities, and more.