The Ultimate Fighter reality series/mixed martial arts competition produced by Spike TV debuted in January of 2005. Since then, the show has drawn millions of viewers and produced several successful UFC fighters such as Forrest Griffin, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, all the way up to Season 12’s winner Jonathan Brookins.
The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale was held at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada and aired live on Spike TV for millions of viewers. The total disclosed payroll for the December 4, 2010 show was $398,000 respectively.
The figures below do not include deductions for a fighter’s licenses, insurance, and/or taxes. Additionally, the amounts do not include money paid to the contenders by sponsors, which majority of the time is a substantial portion of their main income.
The full payouts included:
Jonathan Brookins: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Michael Johnson: $8,000
Stephan Bonnar: $62,000 ($31,000 win bonus)
def. Igor Pokrajac: $10,000
Demian Maia: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus)
def. Kendall Grove: $28,000
Rick Story: $26,000 ($13,000 win bonus)
def. Johny Hendricks: $22,000
Leonard Garcia: $32,000 ($16,000 win bonus)
def. Nam Phan: $8,000
Cody McKenzie: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Aaron Wilkinson: $8,000
Ian Loveland: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Tyler Toner: $3,000
Kyle Watson: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Sako Chivitchian: $8,000
Nick Pace: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Will Campuzano: $3,000
Pablo Garza: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Fredson Paixao: $4,000
David Branch: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Rich Attonito: $8,000