Ronda Rousey pockets NZ$90k per second in loss

Amanda Nunes connects with Ronda Rousey in the first round of their bout at UFC 207. Photo/AP Photos

Ronda Rousey would probably hand back a big chunk of her record-setting payday, if it meant she didn't have to suffer a 48-second TKO to Amanda Nunes last week in Las Vegas.

Rousey was brutalised by a series of punches from Nunes as soon as the fight began and the former women's champion was finished before the first minute expired in the opening round.

It was the second time in a row Rousey had been finished by strikes, after she suffered a knockout loss to Holly Holm in November 2015.

Despite those setbacks in the Octagon, Rousey was still paid handsomely for her performance, where she earned US$3 million (NZ$4.3 million) for her fight against Nunes, matching Conor McGregor's pay for UFC 202 as the largest disclosed salary in UFC history.

That means Rousey earned US$62,500 (NZ$90,277) per second in defeat.

As for Nunes, she earned US$200,000 for her victory over Rousey, with an additional US$50,000 for "Performance of the Night", as she earned another devastating finish over a legend of the sport.

Back in July, Nunes put away Miesha Tate with a first-round submission to win the women's bantamweight title.

On a per-second basis, it took Rousey just four seconds to earn what Nunes received for actually winning the bout.

In the co-main event, Cody Garbrandt also earned US$200,000 for his victory over Dominick Cruz to become the new UFC bantamweight champion. Garbrandt was also paid an additional US$50,000 for his part in the 'Fight of the Night' at UFC 207.

Meanwhile, Cruz earned US$350,000 in a losing effort, with another US$50,000 for 'Fight of the Night' honours.

Two other fighter's salaries were adjusted after UFC 207 took place due to missing weight ahead of the event.

Former champion Johny Hendricks lost US$20,000, due to his weight-cutting infraction for his fight against Neil Magny. Hendricks' pay dropped from US$100,000 to US$80,000 as a result, with the US$20,000 going to Magny as a penalty.

Hendricks also lost the fight, so he didn't receive any win bonus.

Ray Borg also suffered a 30% penalty for missing weight in his fight against Louis Smolka, although he was able to secure a victory, so that lessened the financial blow just a bit.

Borg was fined US$5,400 for his weight-cutting mishap, but still ultimately walked away with US$30,600, after winning a unanimous decision over Smolka in the fight.

FULL SALARIES FOR UFC 207: NUNES VS. ROUSEY (all USD)
Ronda Rousey: $3 million
Amanda Nunes: $250,000 ($100,000 to show, $100,000 to win, plus $50,000 for "Performance of the Night")
Cody Garbrandt: $250,000 ($200,000 flat no win bonus, plus $50,000 for "Fight of the Night")
Dominick Cruz: $400,000 ($350,000 flat no win bonus, plus $50,000 for "Fight of the Night")
TJ Dillashaw: $200,000 ($100,000 to show, $100,000 to win)
John Lineker: $43,000
Dong Hyun Kim: $134,000 ($67,000 to show, $67,000 to win)
Tarec Saffiedine: $40,000
Ray Borg: $30,600 ($18,000 to show, $18,000 to win, fined $5,400 for missing weight)
Louis Smolka: $37,400 ($32,000 to show, plus $5,400 as penalty from his opponent missing weight)
Neil Magny: $114,000 ($47,000 to show, $47,000 to win, plus $20,000 penalty for opponent missing weight)
Johny Hendricks: $80,000 (Fined $20,000 for missing weight)
Antonio Carlos Junior: $42,000 ($21,000 to fight, $21,000 to win)
Marvin Vettori: $12,000
Alex Garcia: $86,000 ($18,000 to show, $18,000 to win, plus $50,000 for "Performance of the Night")
Mike Pyle: $55,000
Niko Price: $24,000 ($12,000 to show, $12,000 to win)
Brandon Thatch: $22,000
Tim Means: $35,000 (fight was declared a no contest, so no win bonus paid)
Alex Oliveira: $28,000 (fight was declared a no contest, so no win bonus paid)