Backstage at Newark’s Prudential Center during UFC 159, Bryan Caraway convinced UFC president Dana White to up the evening’s bonuses from $50,000 apiece to $65,000.
Weeks later and in a roundabout way, Caraway is the beneficiary of his own lobbying efforts.
Wednesday, Caraway’s third-round guillotine choke submission victory over Johnny Bedford on April 27 was retroactively named Submission of the Night.
The bonus money became available after the New Jersey Athletic Control Board announced Pat Healy tested positive for marijuana following his victory over Jim Miller. Healy was awarded both Submission of the Night and Fight of the Night for his efforts. However, the UFC withholds bonus money pending the results of post-fight drug tests, and does not award fighters who fail the tests.
White announced the change over Twitter in response to a fan question. “Brian Caraway get the SON now,” White tweeted. “Healy did himself dirty.”