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Check out which fighters won performance bonuses from Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira
The VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida was home to a solid night of fights at UFC Fight Night 175: Smith vs. Teixeira. The card saw four (T)KOs, one submission and five decisions, including two split-decisions.
Once again, the UFC put on a fun card that saw plenty of action and a bit of gore, too. Omar Antonio Morales won a unanimous decision over Gabriel Benitez, but it was the damage on Benitez’ leg that fans will remember most. The injury, a deep cut on his left shin, was several inches long and deep enough for bone to be visible in the multiple photos and videos that have gone viral. Warning: this is not for the faint of heart.
Andrei Arlovski ended up in the win column once again, taking a unanimous decision over Philipe Lins, Ben Rothwell and OSP had an unexpectedly fun fight, and the main event saw a 40-years-youthful Glover Teixeira beat Anthony Smith like he threw a ball in his yard (hat tip to my Zane Simon for that reference). The downside of that fight was the extremely late stoppage. Neither the corner nor referee Jason Herzog seemed willing to save Smith from Glover’s assault that actually left him short at least one tooth. In between rounds four and five, Smith could be heard telling his corner, “My teeth are falling out.” Do better.
Performance of the Night: Glover Teixeira, Drew Dober
Chase Sherman (R2 0:49 via TKO – Elbow and Punches), Brian Kelleher (R2 3:40 via KO – Punch), Thiago Moises (R2 0:25 via Submission – Heel Hook), Drew Dober (R2 4:25 via TKO – Punches), and Glover Teixeira (R5 1:04 via TKO – punches) all finished their fights inside the distance, but Glover Teixeira and Drew Dober took home the $50K performance bonuses.
Fight of the Night: Hunter Azure vs. Brian Kelleher
Omar Antonio Morales Ferrer (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), Sijara Eubanks (30-27, 30-27, 30-26), Andrei Arlovski (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Ricky Simon (28-29, 29-28, 29-28), and Ben Rothwell (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) all went the full course of their fights, but it was Brian Kelleher’s action-packed bout with Hunter Azure that would take FOTN honors.