In addition to leaving UFC 173 with the bantamweight title belt, T.J. Dillashaw pocketed $36,000, the Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed Tuesday.
Dillashaw stopped defending champion Renan Barao [$74,000] in the fifth round Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Hard-hitting Robbie Lawler strengthened his argument for a welterweight title shot with a third-round TKO of Jake Ellenberger.
For his effort, Lawler walked away with the night's largest paycheck, $200,00. Ellenberger, who lost twice in a row for the first time in his professional career, earned $68,000.
Co-main event participants Daniel Cormier and Dan Henderson earned $174,000 and $100,000, respectively. Cormier solidified his position as a top light-heavyweight contender with a third-round submission of Henderson.
Cormier, a former heavyweight title contender, improved to 15-0 - he is 2-0 at 205 pounds. After his win, Cormier further expressed his desire for a title shot.
UFC officials are working to finalize a deal for a rematch between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and top contender Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 177 in Las Vegas. The fight is tentatively schedule for Aug. 30.
Gustafsson has signed for the bout; Jones has yet to make it official. UFC is still in talks with the champion. Cormier, however, made it clear who he'd prepare to see walk away from the rematch victorious.
"I want to be the champion," Cormier said. "That's why I started fighting. I'm 35 years old. I'm not a kid and I can't wait too long. But it means something to beat Jones. I know we all praise Gustafsson for what he's done. He's a great fighter. It means a little bit more to beat a Jon Jones.
"Look at what Chris Weidman beating Anderson Silva did. If it had happened to anyone else I don't think it would have had the impact that it did. So I would prefer Jones to be the champion."
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