· “UFC 109: Relentless” Salaries, Gate and Bonuses

"UFC 109: Relentless" is in the books, and the exciting event drew a crowd of 10,687 to the Mandalay Bay Events Center for an estimated live gate of $2.27 million. Randy Couture earned a flat $250,000 for his appearance, topping the disclosed payroll which totalled $944,000, not including four $60,000 bonuses.

In the evening's main event, Randy Couture dominated Mark Coleman for the entirety of their six minute and nine second fight. In the first round, Couture used his superior striking to prevent Coleman from completing a takedown. The second round was no different until Couture dropped Coleman with a big left hand, leaving an opening for him to take Coleman's back and sink in the rear-naked choke. This fight carried a lot of importance for Coleman, who at 45 years old and 1-3 in his last four fights is likely nearing the end of his career, a sentiment shared by UFC President Dana White. "I think tonight was probably (Mark) Coleman’s last fight in the UFC," White said following the event.

In a fight to determine the next middleweight contender, heavy underdog Chael Sonnen used superior wrestling and ground striking to earn a unanimous decision against Nate Marquardt. Sonnen was able to take Marquardt down and rain down strikes for most of the first and the second round, however Marquardt was not without offense as a huge elbow upstrike opened a serious cut on Sonnen in the second round. In the third round, Marquardt almost turned the tide after sinking in a guillotine choke that turned Sonnen purple, however the fighter was able to overcome and survive the round, winning the unanimous decision. The fight earned both of the fighters $60,000 "Fight of the Night" awards.

"Submission of the Night" honors went to Paulo Thiago, who scored a D'Arce choke against Mike Swick in the second round of their contest, earning himself a $60,000 bonus. Following a close first round that could have gone to either fighter, Swick was dropped in the second round and was quickly submitted by the rarely used choke.

Matt Serra did not need to employ his oft-touted jiu-jitsu skills against Frank Trigg, overwhelming their short contest with strikes and quickly dispatching his opponent at the halfway point of the first round. A huge overhand right put Trigg out, followed by three more just to be sure, earned the fighter the "Knockout of the Night" award and his $60,000 bonus check.

Full Results and Salaries:

Main Card:

Randy Couture ($250,000, no win bonus)
def. Mark Coleman ($60,000) via. Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:09 of Round 2

Chael Sonnen ($64,000, includes $32,000 win bonus)
def. Nate Marquardt ($45,000) via. Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Paulo Thiago ($30,000, includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Mike Swick ($43,000) via. Submission (D’arce Choke) at 1:54 of Round 2

Demian Maia ($62,000, includes $31,000 win bonus)
def. Dan Miller ($15,000) via. Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Matt Serra ($150,000, includes $75,000 win bonus)
def. Frank Trigg ($30,000) via. TKO at 2:23 of Round 1

Preliminary Card (Televised On Spike TV):

Mac Danzig ($40,000, includes $20,000 win bonus)
def. Justin Buchholz ($8,000) via. Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Melvin Guillard ($28,000, includes $14,000 win bonus)
def. Ronys Torres ($4,000) via. Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (Non-Televised):

Rob Emerson ($24,000, includes $12,000 win bonus)
def. Phillipe Nover ($10,000) via. Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Phil Davis ($10,000, includes $5,000 win bonus)
def. Brian Stann ($17,000) via. Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Chris Tuchscherer ($20,000, includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Hague ($7,000) via. Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

Joey Beltran ($12,000, includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Rolles Gracie ($15,000) via. TKO at 1:31 of Round 2