UFC 141: Lesnar VS Overeem

[No More Sorrow]

LAS VEGAS – Friday's year-end UFC 141 event drew an announced attendance of 12,158 and a live gate of $3.1 million.

UFC president Dana White announced the figures in the night's post-event press conference, which MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) attended.

UFC 141 took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and featured former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem earning a first-round TKO finish of former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar in the pay-per-view headliner.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission will verify the figures and release an official tally early next week.

The figures fell well short of the MGM Grand Garden Arena's top-five UFC attendance and live-gate figures. However, in terms of revenue the show greatly outperformed UFC 125, which took place on Jan. 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and drew just $2,174,780.

While the number of "comp" or free tickets was not revealed, the figures represent an average revenue of $254.98 per ticket issued.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena's all-time top UFC gates as compiled by MMAjunkie.com include:

UFC 66 (Liddell vs. Ortiz II): $5,397,300 gate (13,761 attendance)
UFC 91 (Couture vs. Lesnar): $4,815,675 (14,272)
UFC 71 (Liddell vs. Jackson): $4,304,000 (14,728)
UFC 94 (St. Pierre vs. Penn II): $4,290,000 (14,885)
UFC 116 (Lesnar vs. Carwin): $4,053,990 (12,740)

Decent numbers for the end of year show.

 

[No More Sorrow]

“Excuse me, one moment please–where do you fink you’re going with that check?”

Alistair Overeem should be sitting on a big pile of cash this morning, but moments after handing Brock Lesnar a crushing first round defeat, “The Demolition Man” learned that he won’t be seeing a dime of his $385,000-plus purse, at least not for awhile. A Nevada State Court has issued a freeze on Alistair’s UFC 141 earnings pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by his former management team, Golden Glory (aka Knock Out Investments).

The lawsuit is the latest shot fired in the battle over fighter purses between Overeem, Golden Glory, and the UFC. Overeem was cut from Strikeforce after his representatives and Zuffa failed to see eye to eye on the post-fight payment process. Golden Glory wanted to be paid the full purse directly so that they could distribute the funds to their fighters in a timely fashion without the worry that they wouldn’t see their portion of the proceeds. According to the lawsuit filed yesterday, those concerns were not unfounded.

The firm has charged Overeem with breach of contract and alleges that it was never compensated for its services following his victory over Fabricio Werdum back in June. After signing his UFC contract, “The Reem” fired the management firm and filed a lawsuit of his own seeking damages in excess of $150,000.

Golden Glory’s legal team released the following statement regarding the lawsuit:

““There has been some consternation about the timing of a lawsuit filed by Knock Out Investment/Golden Glory against Alistair Overeem,” the release stated. “We’ve been in discussions with Mr. Overeem’s legal counsel since Nov. 7, and there has been no progress regarding the dispute. The reality is that a fighter is paid within 24 hours of the bout. Given past failure to pay management and training fees, there is serious concern on my client’s part that Mr. Overeem will simply walk away with the money.

As of this morning, a Nevada District Court issued an Order directing the issuance of a pre-judgment writ of attachment and garnishment on Overeem’s fight purse, which would indicate that KOI/GG’s claims are meritorious.”

That sucks for Overeem.

 

[Troy]

Sucks for Overeem that he has to wait before he gets his massive paycheck. Hopefully he can sort out the legal issues so that he can get his money.

With the other pay rates for the fighters I am still surprised that the fighters under the mainevent are paid so little. The live gate alone was $3.1 million yet the total pay isn't even close to that. PPV revenue will be in the tens of millions and then add to that merchandise sales and the fighters are really underpaid.

 

[The Cork]

Sucks for Overeem that he has to wait before he gets his massive paycheck. Hopefully he can sort out the legal issues so that he can get his money.

With the other pay rates for the fighters I am still surprised that the fighters under the mainevent are paid so little. The live gate alone was $3.1 million yet the total pay isn't even close to that. PPV revenue will be in the tens of millions and then add to that merchandise sales and the fighters are really underpaid.

They get more through sponsorships and such, but still, I agree.

UFC need to stop giving guys fixed contracts for wild sums of money, like Tito Ortiz still on $250k a fight after a 5yr losing streak. It isnt fair when you have him and washed out guys like Wandy etc on that, then exciting fighters like Miller, Stann, etc on $32k per fight.

I like the bonus system though, makes for better fights overall.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Oh, these silly Ultimate Fighters.

Despite Greg Jackson's exhortations between rounds, stubborn "Cowboy," Donald Cerrone, chose to stand directly in front of Nate Diaz for all three rounds of their UFC 141 slobberknocker last night (Dec. 30, 2011) in Las Vegas, Nevada.. At the post-fight press conference, he revealed why.

He could have phrased it a lot better, though.

A battered Cerrone informed the gathered media that Nate Diaz, who has expressed disdain in the past for wrestlers with the gall to do what they needed to to win, didn't want to to "any of that gay wrestling shit".

Oh, boy.
With the UFC cracking down on rape references, it's disheartening to see them doing nothing to fix a detrimental stereotype that the fighters seem only too happy to propagate.

Baby steps, I suppose.

Nice wording i guess. :

 

[Slim]

They get more through sponsorships and such, but still, I agree.

UFC need to stop giving guys fixed contracts for wild sums of money, like Tito Ortiz still on $250k a fight after a 5yr losing streak. It isnt fair when you have him and washed out guys like Wandy etc on that, then exciting fighters like Miller, Stann, etc on $32k per fight.

I like the bonus system though, makes for better fights overall.

The reason why guys like Tito and Wandy... these "washed up fighters" get paid so much is because not only are they proven fighters that have withstood the test of time but they have name value and lots of it. People know who Tito Ortiz is. People know who Wanderlei Silva is. Yeah you have these young up and coming fighters like Stann, Miller, and the such but they aren't on the upper tier that Tito and Wandy are.

You book a main event or co main event you are looking for buyrates. Yeah the MMA fans are gonna know Stann, they will know Miller, and would be excited to see them but you put a guy like Tito or Wandy in the top tier of the card and you can garner interest outside of the hardcore fans and bring in casual fans. You play a highlight reel of Wandy fights and you are going to have a slew of people interested and wanting to see him fight. You play a highlight reel of Tito... not as big as Wandy but you'll have people interested. You do the same for Stann and Miller, its just not there.

These "washed up" guys that you are talking down earned their way to the top. And as far as Tito's "five year losing streak" if you look closer... its a 5 fight losing streak with one of them being a draw... so its 0-4-1. One against Chuck when he still had a chin, one to Machida who was still unable to be beaten and figured out at the time although he did have the best performance against Machida until Shogun first did him in. I'm just saying as far as Tito goes... you're being a little harsh on him. As far as Wandy goes... the guy has an exciting fight EVERYTIME he fights. Yeah some of them end quick like his loss to Leben but the guy always delivers. Why would you not pay him top dollar? Plus he's been fighting since '96 and has took a lot of abuse over the years and yet he can still put on great performances?

If things were "fair" I mean really how could you decide what would be "fair" for what guys make per fight? Just decide on how they do at the time of the fight? Because if that was the case then Brock, the guy that can bring in millions to watch, millions at the gate, wouldn't get paid much cause he got obliterated by Overeem.

Fixed contracts work.

 

[The Cork]

It doesnt make any sense at all to pay someone on a 5 year losing streak more than a guy on a 5 year winning streak.

I'd question how many people buy a PPV based solely on those 'names' too, I'd think people would be more inclined to watch legit fighters than once great bums.

 

[Slim]

You are missing a couple of points. first... 5 year for tito... 5 fights... 5 fights.

second... those names are proven. Thats why they get the pay they do. Who is gonna know who Stann or Miller is? Outside the inner circle of MMA? Not many at all.

Who is gonna know Tito outside of the inner circle? A lot. Who is gonna know Wandy outside of the inner circle? A lot. Think about it like wrestling... in that people are going to know who Hulk Hogan is before they know who Daniel Bryan is. Why? Test of time. Is Bryan better? A lot better but you know what... life isn't fair. Does Bryan deserve the same sort of money Hogan gets? Hell no. Bryan hasn't put in the time, the years and MADE HIS NAME! Tito made his name as the greatest light heavyweight champion with FIVE consecutive title defenses. Wandy made his name in Pride going on a tirade that lasted bout 5 years ripping people to shreds.

That is why guys like Tito and Wandy not only bring in the fans but also get the money whereas these other guys like Stann and Miller do not.

 

[Troy]

They get more through sponsorships and such, but still, I agree.

UFC need to stop giving guys fixed contracts for wild sums of money, like Tito Ortiz still on $250k a fight after a 5yr losing streak. It isnt fair when you have him and washed out guys like Wandy etc on that, then exciting fighters like Miller, Stann, etc on $32k per fight.

I like the bonus system though, makes for better fights overall.

I don't mind a guy like Ortiz making a bit more since he is a drawcard but I think across the board the pay needs to be higher. Even Diaz only made $37k before the win bonus and his fight was the second to top fight on the night. How he (and Cerrone) are not getting at least six figures considering the gate drew so much and the PPV buyrate is going to be huge I do not know. I don't think that anyone should get as little as $8k a fight either considering they spend a few months training for one fight. UFC really need to address this and start paying all the fighters a decent wage considering how much profit UFC is making each event.

The bonus system is very good, helps makes fights entertaining and gives some lower card guys a chance at earning a decent pay but they should still make a decent wage without it.

 

[The Cork]

You are missing a couple of points. first... 5 year for tito... 5 fights... 5 fights.

second... those names are proven. Thats why they get the pay they do. Who is gonna know who Stann or Miller is? Outside the inner circle of MMA? Not many at all.

Who is gonna know Tito outside of the inner circle? A lot. Who is gonna know Wandy outside of the inner circle? A lot. Think about it like wrestling... in that people are going to know who Hulk Hogan is before they know who Daniel Bryan is. Why? Test of time. Is Bryan better? A lot better but you know what... life isn't fair. Does Bryan deserve the same sort of money Hogan gets? Hell no. Bryan hasn't put in the time, the years and MADE HIS NAME! Tito made his name as the greatest light heavyweight champion with FIVE consecutive title defenses. Wandy made his name in Pride going on a tirade that lasted bout 5 years ripping people to shreds.

That is why guys like Tito and Wandy not only bring in the fans but also get the money whereas these other guys like Stann and Miller do not.

What a skewed way of thinking that is though.

So Derek Fisher should be one of the highest paid NBA players because hes been around longer than say, a Kevin Durant?

People arent stupid, they can see a washed up guy from a mile off. Compare the buys for a Tito headlined PPV to a relative newbie like Aldo or Jones, I bet you'll be surprised.

 

[Ben]

The pay scale needs to be changed in the UFC, should really be based on placement on the card, basically a set amount to show for Main Co Main Event matches, getting on the TV card and then the under card. Can give a bigger win bonus to some guy and cut a buyrate percentage to some of the huge names. With there being no competition out there really UFC should be signing guy to 2-4 fight deals at the max.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Medical Suspensions for UFC 141:

• Brock Lesnar: Suspended until June 28 due to an abdominal injury, though he can be cleared early by a physician
• Alistair Overeem: Suspended until Feb. 14 with no contact until Jan. 30 due to lacerations near his right eye
• Nate Diaz: Suspended until June 28 due to a right-eye injury, though he can be cleared early by an ophthalmologist; regardless, suspended until Jan. 30 with no contact until Jan. 12 for precautionary reasons
• Donald Cerrone: Suspended until Feb. 14 with no contact until Jan. 30 due to a lower-lip cut
• Jon Fitch: Suspended until Feb. 29 with no contact until Feb. 14 for precautionary reasons
• Vladimir Matyushenko: Suspended until June 28 due to a possible left-knee injury, though he can be cleared early by an orthopedic doctor; regardless, suspended until Feb. 14 with no contact until Jan. 30 for precautionary reasons
• Alexander Gustafsson: Suspended until Jan. 30 with no contact until Jan. 21 due to right-tibia contusion
• Nam Phan: Suspended until Feb. 29 with no contact until Feb. 14 due to a right-eyebrow cut
• Junior Assuncao: Suspended until Jan. 30 with no contact until Jan. 21 due a right-cheek cut
• Dong Hyun Kim: Suspended until Jan. 30 with no contact until Jan. 21 due to left-foot contusion
• Manny Gamburyan: Suspended until June 28 due to a possible right-shoulder injury, though he can be cleared early by an orthopedic doctor and X-ray; regardless, suspended until Jan. 30 with no contact until Jan. 12 for precautionary reasons
• Diego Nunes: Suspended until Feb. 14 with no contact until Jan. 30 due to a cut near left eye

 

[Andrew]

Damn a lot of these guys got hurt hard.

Guess after June we'll see good fights.