UFC 292 Payouts: Despite earning $500,000 each, Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling were topped by strawweight champ Zhang Weili

UFC 292 happened at the TD Garden in Boston. In the main event, Sean O’Malley defeated Aljamain Sterling to win the title in front of a pro-O’Malley crowd. In the co-main event, Zhang Weili demolished Amanda Lemos throughout the five rounds. It was Weili’s first title defense in her second reign as this strawweight queen.

The event broke many records at the TD Garden, as it showcased Sean O’Malley’s star potential. Zhang Weili too received applause from the Bostonians. Boston Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazulla came to support Zhang Weili. The event was graced by other celebrities from different spheres of society as well. It also saw the return of Chris Weidman, who was absent for over two years due to a broken foot.

Sean O’Malley vs Aljamain Sterling fight purse

Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling took home a disclosed course of $500,000. The amount does not include the payment the champion receives from the share of the pay-per-view generated, which is sure to be more than $1 million. 

UFC 292

The challenger does not get pay-per-view points but the promotion has the habit of showering the fighters they like with money. O’Malley who also won $50,000 for performance of the night is also presumed to have won more than a million in earnings after UFC 292. With Dana White calling a superstar even before the title win, it remains to be seen what the ceiling is for the Montana native.

The fight lasted for 6  minutes. The first round was pretty uneventful with both fighters playing the waiting game. In the second round, O’Malley TKOed Sterling in the opening minute. Before the fight, O’Malley was vocal about MMA managers who would unfairly get a percentage of the fighter’s earnings for doing absolutely nothing. O’Malley has since blasted the managers who take the percentage from even the bonuses.

Both O’Malley and Sterling have been vocal about fighter pay. Sterling has consistently demanded that the fighters be paid more than they usually get. O’Malley is a proponent of Chael Sonnen’s way of doing fight business which is fighting the worst guy for the most money.

How much did champ Zhang Weili earn at UFC 292?

Zhang Weili was the top earner in disclosed earnings at UFC 292. Her disclosed pay is $20,000 more than the next best, Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling. The bantamweight fighters each made $500,000 in disclosed pay. Weili’s opponent Amanda Lemos made $250,000 in the losing effort. Weili thoroughly outclassed Lemos throughout the fight. In addition to the disclosed pay, Weili also won $50,000 in bonuses.

UFC 292

Her next fight is gonna make her millions as it would be in China. Her opponent has not yet been finalized, and Tatiana Suarez and Yan Xiaonan are the frontrunners to challenge Weili. As far as payment goes at UFC 292, Weili is sure to have made more than a million due to her status as a champion. With UFC finding somebody who can help them get into the Chinese market, the future looks bright for Weili.

Chris Weidman, who lost to Brad Tavares in the featured bout of the prelims received $430,000. Marlon Vera earned $310,000 for the victory. Brad Tavares made $200,000 followed by Pedro Munhoz with $155,000. Ian Garry and Gregory Rodriguez made $100,000 each.

What do you think of fighter pay at UFC 292? Comment below!

 

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