Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
Salary information from the Washington State Department of Licensing for the UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs Diaz event was reported today. The total payroll for the event was $960,000.
Here is the breakdown of all salaries earned:
Read more →
Benson Henderson retains belt
A great night of fights from top to bottom. The prelims gave us some great finishes and the fights on the main card were all tough battles. There was a “changing of the guards” feel to the MacDonald-Penn and Gustafsson-Rua fights as the younger challengers beat the legendary veterans. There was no change in the lightweight title guard though as “Smooth” Ben Henderson dominated Nate Diaz for five rounds to retain his belt.
Intense staredown between B.J. Penn and Rory MacDonald
Weigh-ins for ‘UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs Diaz’ took place today at Seattle’s KeyArena. All 22 fighters made weight except for Henry Martinez (158.8), Raphael Assuncao (136.4) and Nate Diaz (155.6). Since Nate Diaz is in a title fight, he must be at 155. Nate hit the bathroom and came in at 155.2. He returned for a third try and made it at 155. The fighters have two hours to make weight and Nate made it in one. Assuncao made weight on his second try. Martinez elected to not attempt the cut and will forfeit 20 percent of his fight purse to Cruickshank.
The UFC lightweight championship belt is up for grabs as champ Benson “Smooth” Henderson takes on #1 contender Nate Diaz. Unquestionably, these are the two best lightweights in the world right now in the most stacked division in the UFC. Anthony Pettis fans may disagree of course but if he manages to defeat Donald Cerrone at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago next month, he will most likely get his shot against the winner of this match. Love the lightweights, and so happy that neither of the fighters in the lightweight title fight have a last name of Edgar.
Daron Cruickshank
With the cancellation of UFC 151, the following fights have been moved to the ‘UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs. Diaz’ card:
• Lightweights Tim Means (18-3-1) vs. Abel Trujillo (9-4)
• Lightweights Daron Cruickshank (11-2) vs. Henry Martinez (9-2)