Gina Carano became the first female competitor to bank six figures on a disclosed U.S. card, according to figures released by the California State Athletic Commission Tuesday.
“The face of women’s MMA” earned $125,000 in her first-round technical knockout loss to Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos last Saturday at Strikeforce in San Jose, Calif. Santos, who was crowned Strikeforce’s women’s lightweight (145 pounds) champion, earned $25,000, which included a $5,000 win bonus.
The event, which drew 13,976 spectators and a $735,710 gate at the HP Pavilion, marked the first time a women’s bout headlined a major event in the U.S.
Newly minted light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi wasn’t as prosperous in his U.S. debut. The 24-year-old Armenian made an uncustomary $2,000 in his swift first-round victory over Renato "Babalu" Sobral, according to the CSAC figures. Sobral earned $75,000 for the loss.
.jpg)
