Gina Carano Takes Home $125,000 at Strikeforce

by Michael Rome on Aug 18, 2009 2:56 PM EDT in News Comment 28 comments

Long gone are the days of Gina Carano's pathetic EliteXC contract. According to information released by CSAC, she was the top earner on a card filled with men this past Saturday, and earned $125,000 in defeat. The next highest earner was Renato "Babalu" Sobral who earned $75,000 in defeat. Gegard Mousasi only earned $2,000, but I think it's pretty obvious the majority of his salary was paid in another form, because there's just no way he earned only $2,000.

At the post-show press conference, Josh Gross asked a number of male fighters what they thought about fighting on a card with a female main event. Instead of taking the bait, they chose to praise the women and said it was great. What will they think about earning less than a woman, albeit one who is predominantly responsible for setting Strikeforce's viewership record?

My guess is Gina is also receiving additional undisclosed compensation from Strikeforce. It's nice to see her finally start earning real money for fighting, but at the same time it's still not life-changing money, even though she is a promotion-changing star.

0 recs | Comment 28 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Has anyone besides Fedor ever had the “reported minimal salary and the rest goes to M-1” deal before? I thought they did that for him because he was part-owner. It seems clear that’s how Mousasi is getting paid here. Could that be because Affliction was involved in paying Mousasi, and that’s how their contracts worked with M-1 fighters?

So many questions about that 2k.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Aug 18, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The same happens with Japanese fighters, who don’t want to get killed in income taxes.

by madiq on Aug 18, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read Sup’s explanation of that in the other thread, but lots of Japanese fighters, like Ishida in this event, make normal salaries. This seems more M-1 related than foreigner-related. i could be wrong though.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Aug 18, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nevermind he explained it in the other thread. Thanks Sup.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Aug 18, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The taxes excuse is retarded.

If Strikeforce is paying the money out under the table, they can’t write off the expense, so then they’d have to pay taxes on the money that they don’t have, pretty stupid move on their part.

That said, just like with the UFC, there are plenty of ways that people can get money from the organization without it being listed on this report that comes from the AC.

by Phildo on Aug 18, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It all ties in together, and thats why the company accountants get the big bucks.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 18, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not abotu taxes though.

These numbers aren’t coming from the fighters 1099’s, they’re coming from the bout agreements.

Both sides have numerous reasons to give and receive undisclosed bonuses, avoiding taxes, if at all on the list, is very low on the totem pole, especially when it comes from the people who are running these companies. Messing with the IRS is stupid.

by Phildo on Aug 18, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone have any idea

What kind of sponsorship dollars Gina brings in? You would think as the face of the card that they have been heavily promoting that her manager would be able to put together some pretty sizable endorsement deals. She also has the extra advantage of wearing a rash guard while she fights which allows more room for sponsors.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Aug 18, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

$30,500 for the 4 undercard fights (not including the Hieron one). That is horrible.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 18, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why haven’t the full UFC 101 salaries been posted yet?

by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Aug 18, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The PA commission doesn’t report salaries publicly.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Aug 18, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nor should any commission.

by steveoc24 on Aug 18, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Call me pessimistic but...

I dont see any really marketbale fights for Gina that are actually competitive. Sure you could match her up with some lil hotties that cant fight, but that proves nothing. Another Cyborg fight would sell, but she would prolly be crushed again.

Sadly, I see Gina moving towards reality TV and away from MMA in the future.

Its great that she got a nice payday Saturday night, but the reality is, she can make similar money not getting her overies kicked down her throat by Cyborg.

A true MMA fan from the great state of Arkansas.

by MMArazorback on Aug 18, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL, she beat very legit competition before she fought Cyborg, and there are plenty more fights for her.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 18, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Several of whom are smaller than her…

by Andy R on Aug 18, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If anybody should be complaining, it's Cyborg ...

Cristiane Santos $25,000 (includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Gina Carano $125,000

A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who

by thetakeover on Aug 18, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol no kidding

she should have thought about that before she got not as attractive and thus appealing to mainstream fans as carano.

he was injured. injured bad.

by troy145 on Aug 18, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If this was the UFC or WEC, people would be posting 500 comments on how wrong it is.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Sup’s “foreigners get the majority of their salary in bonus” thing is true, she made a lot more than that.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Aug 18, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is far more proof of the UFC back room bonuses than what he was saying. They both are probably true, but the amounts earned are not known.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Aug 18, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s the whole point of undisclosed bonuses.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 18, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Main event fighters get more as well, which is not reported.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 18, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, but what was her bigggest payday before carano? she made 25k b/c of gina and will most likely make more after beating her.

by bdw on Aug 18, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeahhhh....

she’s gonne be juuuust fine.

he was injured. injured bad.

by troy145 on Aug 18, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Think About This...

The base pay for both women in MMA were 125K + 25K, not including bonuses, sponsorships, etc. That is huge success.

Who really thought a year ago two women headlining a card over male title fights would bring in this much money and press. Just amazing.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 18, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure Urijah Faber and Miguel Torres will have something to say about that.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Beer Monster on Aug 18, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cyborg weiner by TKO

125k to loose by testicle knock out isn’t half bad. Will MMA jump the shark when they have legitimate inter gender match ups? Cyborg is formidable regardless of gender of performance enhancers. Burls like that are not to be taken lightly in the dojo. They will rip your arm off if you do. Cyborg vs Jens Pulver would be a solid fight. I’m almost serious.

by son of miss the mark on Aug 18, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs