The roster cuts stemming from the outcomes of the fights at UFC 95 haven't come out yet, and maybe the UFC was impressed enough by the losing fighters to not cut anyone.
But one fighter that may find a pink slip in his proverbial locker is Joe "Daddy" Stevenson.
Before the Joe Daddy fans hand me my head, please understand this was just a thought I wanted to explore. I really don't think the UFC will cut Stevenson. Yet.
Joe Stevenson is one of the higher-paid fighters in the lightweight division, and while his $35,000 salary isn't breaking the UFC bank, it is a large sum for a losing fighter.
Sean Sherk and Diego Sanchez both make $35,000 as their base pay, and Kenny Florian makes slightly more at $40,000.
Lightweight Champion BJ Penn makes $125,000 as his base, largely due to his pay-per-view drawing power.
While it may be unfair to punish Stevenson for losing to three of the best guys in his division, it's also unfair that he makes the same amount of money as two of them.
Stevenson, once a contender for the belt, now finds himself as an overpaid gatekeeper.
With the lightweight division literally packed with young, up-and-coming fighters Joe Daddy could realistically be saddled with a gatekeeper's role, at gatekeeper's pay.
Clay Guida for example, collected $40,000 ($20,000 to show, $20,000 win bonus) for his win over Nate Diaz.
While the UFC is still making money hand over fist, we've seen them ask fighters to take pay cuts until they get back to their winning ways.
Will Joe Daddy be asked to take a cut, or be cut?
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