The UFC made its return to Sweden on Saturday, and while many fans scoffed at the lack of star power offered by UFC on FUEL 9, the event certainly didn’t lack excitement.
More than half of the afternoon’s bouts were halted before reaching the scorecards, and four bouts didn’t even make it out of the first frame.
As is customary with Zuffa events, the UFC awarded post-fight bonuses to the best Fight, Knockout and Submission of the Night. For this night, bonus checks were cut in the amount of $60,000.
Highly touted Irish fighter Conor McGregor earned Knockout of the Night honors for his dismantling of featherweight Marcus Brimage. The stoppage came after McGregor leveled his opponent with a series of uppercuts before finishing him on the ground.
The competition was fierce in this category, as there were three exceptional knockouts on the card. That fight beat out a 19-second knockout from Matt Mitrione against Phil De Fries, as well as a leaping left hook-induced TKO delivered from Ross Pearson to Ryan Couture.
Submission of the Night went to Reza Madadi, who survived a nasty head kick in the first round that would have stopped most mortal beings. Madadi scored a thrid-round submission over Michael Johnson after locking him in a D’Arce choke.
Other nominees for this award were all Ultimate Fighter alumni: Tor Troeng, Tom Lawlor and Diego Brandao.
Fight of the Night was awarded to the main-card war between Brad Pickett and Mike Easton, who battled to a split decision. Pickett was awarded the victory, but both fighters get to fatten their bank accounts due to their thrilling performances.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report MMA for post-fight analysis of UFC on FUEL 9, as well as preview pieces for the rest of April’s fight calendar.
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