TUF 16 Finale Fighter Salaries: Mike Pyle Heads $447,000 Payroll

The TUF 16 Finale: Nelson vs. Mitrione fighter salaries were released on Monday by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Ultimate Fighter coach Roy Nelson flattened Matt Mitrione in the night’s main event, while Colton Smith took the honor of becoming the next Ultimate Fighter. Mitrione was a late replacement for Nelson’s original opponent and fellow TUF coach Shane Carwin.

The following figures are based on the fighter salary information that promoters are required by law to submit to the state athletic commissions, including the winners’ bonuses.

Although mixed martial arts fighters do not have collective bargaining or a union, the fighters’ salaries are still public record, just as with every other major sport in the United States. Any undisclosed bonuses that a promoter also pays its fighters, but does not disclose to the athletic commissions (specifically, pay-per-view bonuses, fight of the night bonuses, etc.), are not included in the figures below.

It should also be noted that Melvin Guillard and Jamie Varner were each paid their show money, although their bout had to be scrapped at the last minute when Varner fell ill in the dressing room area. Guillard was paid $42,000, while Varner collected $12,000.

TUF 16 Finale Fighter Salaries

Roy Nelson: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus)
def. Matt Mitrione: $12,000

Colton Smith: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Mike Ricci: $8,000

Pat Barry: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus)
def. Shane Del Rosario: $20,000

Dustin Poirier: $34,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus)
def. Jonathan Brookins: $20,000

Mike Pyle: $78,000 (includes $39,000 win bonus)
def. James Head: $12,000

Johnny Bedford: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Marcos Vinicius: $8,000

Rustam Khabilov: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Vinc Pichel: $8,000

TJ Waldburger: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
def. Nick Catone: $13,000

Hugo Viana: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Reuben Duran: $8,000

Mike Rio: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. John Cofer: $8,000

Tim Elliott: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Jared Papazian: $6,000

TUF 16 Finale Disclosed Fighter Payroll: $447,000