In November 2005, negotiations were complete and a fight between Mosley and former light middleweight champion Fernando Vargas (26-2, 22 KOs) was confirmed as a WBA light middleweight title eliminator. The fight was scheduled to take place on February 25, 2006 live on HBO PPV at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Mosley was guaranteed $3 million from the fight plus percentages of the PPV revenue. Mosley won the bout via 10th-round technical knockout after Vargas' left eye was completely closed. Vargas claimed the cut and closure of his eye was not due to a punch, but because of clash of heads. At the time of stoppage, two judges had Mosley was ahead on two cards at 86-85, 86-85 and the third judge had Vargas ahead 86-85. The fight exceeded financial expectations generating 415,000 buys and $18.6 million in revenue.