UFC 170 is over and done with, and the second wave of bonuses under the new structure is here.
It was a night filled with far more stoppages than other UFC events this year, and they had more than a couple of exciting fights. So who wound up getting the bonuses on Saturday night in Las Vegas? Find out right here!
Performance Bonus: Stephen Thompson
Kicking off the main card in impressive fashion was Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. In a bout against fellow striker Robert Whittaker, the undefeated kickboxer put forward what was perhaps his most impressive performance to date, peppering the TUF: The Smashes winner with strikes before throwing a perfect straight right that threaded through his guard and landed square in the face.
Thompson already owns three devastating knockout victories in the UFC and finds himself constantly training with champions. He likely has a very bright future ahead of him in the UFC.
Performance Bonus: Ronda Rousey
In a flagrant display of favoritism, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey gets a performance of the night bonus. While she scored yet another first-round finish, the relatively controversial nature of the stoppage and the more impressive knockouts by other fighters should have gotten others the nod.
Daniel Cormier and Erik Koch had far more impressive knockouts. Not only that, but in terms of literally putting forward an amazing performance, Zach Makovsky and Mike Pyle looked absolutely unstoppable in their fights.
It’s silly to label these bonuses “Performances of the Night” when it’s going to be “Stoppage of the Night 1 and 2.” Even sillier when it’s “Fighter We Like Most Bonus.”
Fight of the Night: Rory MacDonald vs. Demian Maia
In a night of squash matches, the one fight that really stood out as both competitive and important was Rory MacDonald vs. Demian Maia. The crucial welterweight tilt had two legitimate contenders facing off with their title aspirations on the line, and both men fought like it.
Maia dominated Round 1 with his formidable grappling, gaining mount on MacDonald and threatening with submissions. MacDonald survived, though, and peppered Maia with strikes in the second, busting him up badly.
By the third round, Maia was visibly tired but managed to gut out a takedown and once again threaten the Canadian. MacDonald would once again break free and proceeded to work Nick Diaz-style combinations that wore down Maia.
MacDonald won the fight, but both guys end up getting a nice chunk of change to take home.
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