UFC fighters react to CM Punk's huge payday at UFC 203
WWE superstar-turned-UFC fighter CM Punk got choked out by Mickey Gall in the first round of their fight at UFC 203, but he walked away $500,000 richer for his troubles. And upon hearing about the king’s random Punk walked away with, UFC fighters definitely had mixed opinions on the topic.
On one hand, Punk was making his professional fighting debut after training for just two years and completing zero amateur fights. On the other hand, he was a bona fide draw and longest reigning modern-era champion in the premiere professional wrestling organization in the world.
The bottom line, however, is in exactly how much revenue Punk’s appearance at UFC 203 generated for the UFC. MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi estimates UFC 203 will likely see between “650-700K” pay-per-view buys, which is incredible considering the stacked event at UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic did an estimated 350,000 buys.
Punk’s star power was known before he ever stepped foot inside the Octagon, but as his drawing power becomes more evident, that half a million dollar salary probably makes a lot of sense in the UFC’s eyes.
By the looks of #ufc203 pay out. Seems like CM PUNK still won.. Lol
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) September 12, 2016
Every1s trippin on what @CMPunk made & Im over here lookin at @mickeygall makin 30k in his 2nd fight & knowin what Im asking 4next
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) September 13, 2016
Also. CM Punk made more in his MMA/UFC debut than I have in my entire 9 year career? https://t.co/YCj8dbvB4o
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) September 12, 2016
