Anthony Johnson's Punishment fits the Crime
by Zak Woods on Oct 26, 2009 9:45 AM EDT
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When the bonus list became public for UFC 104 there was one name that was noticeably absent from the list, Anthony Johnson.
At UFC 104 Anthony "Rumble" Johnson added another knockout to his impressive highlight reel collection. Yet Johnson wasn't rewarded with a "knockout" bonus for providing a spectacular finish over Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Instead Patrick Barry, who defeated Antoni Hardonk on the Spike preliminary card, received a $60,000 bonus for "Knockout of the Night."
Comparing Johnson's knockout over Yoshida to Barry'y TKO victory over Hardonk is something of a joke. Any casual observer would select Johnson's victory over Barry's in a heart beat.
So what happened?
The reason why Johnson was blackballed from the bonus payroll had to do with the events of the previous day. At the UFC 104 weigh-ins on Saturday, Johnson weighed-in at 176 lbs., making him a whopping six pounds overweight for the welterweight fight. An inexcusable crime for any fighter. Luckily for Anthony, and the UFC, Yoshiyuki Yoshida agreed to fight Johnson despite the weight difference.
It was reported that Anthony Johnson was so weak from attempting to cut the extra weight that his team had to carry him to and from the weigh-in. There is also a rumor that UFC matchmaker, Joe Silva, was absolutely livid with Johnson and told him, in a fit of rage, that he would have to move up to middleweight.
The fact that Anthony Johnson didn't receive the "Knockout of the Night" bonus was a clear signal from the UFC, "miss weight and you will take a hit in your wallet." The loss of a $60,000 bonus doesn't take into account the possibility of loss in purse salary. Normally when a fighter misses weight they have to sacrifice a portion of their purse to their opponent since the fight will not be taking at the agreed upon weight. Currently there is no indication that this arrangement occurred between Johnson and Yoshida. Johnson had to give up 20% of his purse, 10% to Yoshida and 10% to the CSAC.
As stated above, missing weight for a fighter is a cardinal sin. For Johnson to lose out on a significant chunk of change, while unfortunate, is completely appropriate punishment for the crime.
Update: WKR reader pancakehead points out that Thiago Alves received the "Knockout of the Night" bonus at UFC 85, when he defeated Matt Hughes despite coming in over weight.
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Well he sure as shit should give a percentage of his check up, considering the situation. And he could have gotten a k.o. by a flying corkscrew sidekick after a five hit street fighter 4 combo and he wouldn’t get any bonus money.
Move up big boy.
"I want an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin." -Ace Rothstein
Currently there is no indication that this arrangement occurred between Johnson and Yoshida.
Other sites were reporting that AJ lose 20% of his purse
10% went to his oppenent, and 10% went to the commission
by pancakehead on Oct 26, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
At UFC 85, Thiago Alves got the KO of the Night bonus after knocking out Hughes, and after missing weight.
Be consistent Dana.
That was balls
Yeah I remember that now. I also remember looking at the bonuses and thinking what a crock of shit that was. Maybe this is a newer mode of thinking? Maybe the weight issue didn’t bother them as bad as it should have… but now it seems like they are really trying to send a message this time.
"I want an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin." -Ace Rothstein
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