Rampage pockets $385K at UFC 96

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson may have thrown everything he had at Keith Jardine, but he left the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with $385,000 weighing him down following UFC 96 last Saturday night. Jackson earned a tough three-round decision over Jardine, who took home $115,000 for his second loss in three fights. Those figures, provided by the Ohio Athletic Commission, also include $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonuses doled out by the promoters.

What a difference a year makes. The 30-year-old Wolfslair Academy fighter will face champion Rashad Evans next for the light heavyweight title at UFC 98 in May –- less than a year after an unstable Jackson thrust himself into the nation’s spotlight for wrecking havoc through the streets of Newport Beach, Calif., in his truck. Heavyweight Shane Carwin swung his way into the contender’s circle with a gripping first-round knockout over Octagon vet Gabriel Gonzaga. Carwin was paid $32,000, while Gonzaga received nearly double that in defeat with $60,000.

UFC 96’s third highest bread winner was light heavyweight Brandon Vera with $60,000, though the take must have been bittersweet. Once heralded as the division’s next coming, Vera earned $200,000 for his last disclosed payroll at UFC Fight Night 14 in July 2008 with a unanimous decision win over Reese Andy. However, the athletic 31-year-old has gone 2-3 in his last five outings and signed to a much thriftier contract this time around. Vera’s opponent, Michael Patt, took home $5,000. According to the OAS, all main card winners were tested for drugs following UFC 96, with the addition of middleweights Kendall Grove and Jason Day. Results are pending.

UFC 96 Payouts

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson -- $325,000 (including $100,000 win bonus) def. Keith Jardine -- $55,000

Shane Carwin -- $32,000 (including $16,000 win bonus) def. Gabriel Gonzaga --

$60,000

Matt Brown -- $16,000 (including $8,000 win bonus) def. Pete Sell -- $12,000

Matt Hamill -- $40,000 (including $20,000 win bonus) def. Mark Munoz -

$12,000 Gray Maynard -- $20,000 (including $10,000 win bonus) def. Jim Miller -- $9,000

Tamdan McCrory -- $20,000 (including $10,000 win bonus) def. Ryan Madigan -- $3,000

Kendall Grove -- $44,000 (including $22,000 win bonus) def. Jason Day --

$5,000 Jason Brilz -- $10,000 (including $5,000 win bonus) def. Tim Boetsch -- $12,000

Brandon Vera -- $60,000 (including $30,000 win bonus) def. Michael Patt -- $5,000

Shane Nelson -- $16,000 (including $8,000 win bonus) def. Aaron Riley -- $6,000