The NSAC has released the fighter payouts for UFC 98 “Evans vs. Machida.” Keep in mind, these figures represent the base contracted pay the fighter receives from the promotion. These figures do not include any additional “locker room” bonuses, pay-per-view revenue sharing, or sponsorship money, which in many cases exceeds a fighter’s base pay. These numbers also do not account for taxes, insurance, and license fees.
The night’s biggest money winner was UFC veteran Matt Hughes who pulled in $200,000 for beating Matt Serra plus an additional $60,000 for Fight of the Night. New UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida did quite well for himself raking in a total of $200,000 for winning the title and securing the KO of the Night. The man he beat, Rashad Evans, matched his pay also pocketing $200,000.
UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A title unification match between the UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir and UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar was originally slated to be the main event, but was postponed to a later date due to a knee injury to Mir.
By way of replacement, Quinton Jackson, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, was to fight the undefeated current champion Rashad Evans but had to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair ligament damage in his jaw that he received in a previous training camp. Instead, Evans will headline the card against undefeated contender Lyoto Machida.Jackson will then face the winner of Evans vs. Machida for the title on a date that is yet to be determined.
The card also features the long anticipated grudge match between The Ultimate Fighter 6 coaches Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.
Due to injury, Josh Koscheck will not be able to participate on this card. Brock Larson stepped in as the new opponent for Chris Wilson.
James Irvin was set to make his Middleweight debut against Drew McFedries, but will not be able to fight due to a knee injury.Xavier Foupa-Pokam stepped in to fight McFedries.
Yushin Okami was set to fight Dan Miller on the main card but was injured and is off the card, Okami suffered a torn ligament. Early reports suggested Ed Herman would replace Okami, however Chael Sonnen has stepped in to take the bout.
Houston Alexander was scheduled to fight Andre Gusmao, but has been forced to pull out due to a broken hand. Krzysztof Soszynski has stepped in to fight Gusmao.
Main card Light Heavyweight Championship bout: Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar
Preliminary card Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson Heavyweight bout: Patrick Barry vs. Tim Hague Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff Lightweight bout: Dave Kaplan vs. George Roop
Mir's knee injury has caused a postpone to the Lesnar - Mir 2 bout.
Rashed 'Sugar' Evans and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson were supposed to replace the bout. Now, lght heavyweight title contender Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson has pulled out of his scheduled bout against undefeated champion 'Sugar' Rashad Evans at UFC 98 on May 23.
The final card for UFC 98 is expected to be:
Rashad Evans v Lyoto Machida Matt Hughes v Matt Serra Josh Ko
UFC 98: Lesnar vs. Mir 2 is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Event: UFC 98 Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view (PPV) Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
*************************** Main Card *************************** Heavyweight Championship bout: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar Middleweight bout: James Irvin vs. Drew McFedries Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck vs. TBD
*************************** Preliminary Card *************************** Light Heavyweight bout: Houston Alexander vs. André Gusmão Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff Lightweight bout: George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan
