Holm to earn $500K for bout against Tate

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Albuquerque MMA fighter Holly Holm was being paid $500,000 for her UFC bantamweight title defense against Miesha Tate on Saturday night, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has disclosed.

It is believed to be by far the biggest purse ever paid by the UFC to a female fighter. According to multiple sources, former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey — whom Holm defeated to claim the title in November — never made more than $75,000 from a fight contract submitted to a state athletic commission.

Such figures do not include bonuses for winning, fight of the night, performance of the night, etc., that the UFC typically awards. They also do not include fighters’ shares from the UFC’s sponsorship with Reebok, or any share

of pay-per-view revenues an individual might earn as per contract.

Holm was not eligible for a win bonus, according to the information released by the NSAC, but she presumably was eligible for other bonuses.

Payouts from UFC 193, in which Holm defeated Rousey, were never revealed by the Australian commission. It has been estimated that Holm earned about $180,000 in fight purse, bonuses and her share from the Reebok deal.

Holm’s original contract with the UFC was renegotiated after her victory over Rousey.

Tate, who was set to challenge Holm for the title Saturday night, was to earn $46,000 for fighting, with another $46,000 due her in the event of a victory.

Conor McGregor, who was scheduled to fight Nate Diaz in Saturday’s main event, was to earn a record $1 million. Diaz was to earn $500,000. Neither was eligible for a win bonus.