American Kickboxing Academy heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez was the top earner at UFC Fight Night 17 on Saturday at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., according to figures released by the UFC and the Florida State Boxing Commission.
The 26-year-old Velasquez battered Stojnic throughout the fight with knees, kicks and punches from the clinch. He did well in space, too, as he nearly finished the Golden Glory product with clean strikes from the outside in the first. A two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State University, Velasquez mauled Stojnic on the ground and forced the referee to intervene 2:34 into the second round.
Main event victor Joe Lauzon was also among the top earners, as his $50,000 haul included $10,000 win and $30,000 “Submission of the Night” bonuses. The 24-year-old “The Ultimate Fighter 5” alumnus submitted the hard-nosed Jeremy Stephens ($10,000) with a second-round armbar, as he posted his second consecutive victory.
Meanwhile, Josh Neer and Mac Danzig, who engaged in a spirited two-round war, pocketed $48,000 and $45,000, respectively. The two lightweights took matching $30,000 “Fight of the Night” bonuses after Neer submitted Danzig with a second-round triangle choke. Neer’s take also included a $9,000 win bonus.
The rest of the UFC Fight Night 17 paydays follow below:
• Kurt Pellegrino: $32,000 (includes $16,000 win bonus)
• Anthony Johnson: $26,000 (includes $13,000 win bonus)
• Gleison Tibau: $26,000 (includes $13,000 win bonus)
• Rich Clementi: $23,000
• Dan Miller: $18,000 (includes $9,000 win bonus)
• Matt Riddle: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
• Jake Rosholt: $13,000
• Luigi Fioravanti: $13,000
• Robert Emerson: $10,000
• Steve Bruno: $7,000
• Matt Grice: $7,000
• Nick Catone: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus)
• Matt Veach: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus)
• Derek Downey: $3,000