As always, it pays to be champion. World Series of Fighting titleholders Justin Gaethje and David Branch handily led the reported payroll at WSOF 23, each securing $100,000 purses for their respective title defenses, according to figures released Monday by the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission.
Fighting in a rematch against Luis Palomino, lightweight champion Gaethje put on another ‘Fight of the Year' performance en route to a brutal second-round knockout win.
Branch, meanwhile, made easy work of Teddy Holder to lay claim to the vacant light heavyweight strap and become WSOF's first two-division champion.