(pictured Keith Jardine and Matt Hamill via MMAWeekly.com)
A total of $100,000 was handed out to four fighters from Saturday’s “The Ultimate Fighter 11″ Finale event. Earning $25K each were Matt Hamill, Keith Jardine, Chris Leben, and Court McGee for their work in the octagon.
The event, which took place at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, reportedly drew a total of 1,708 fans for a live gate total of $430,250.
All of the winners took part on the Spike TV televised portion of the event, with Matt Hamill and Keith Jardine earning the “Fight of the Night” award. While “Knockout of the Night” went to Chris Leben and the “Submission of the Night” went to “TUF 11″ tournament winner Court McGee.
Hamill and Jardine fought a three round battle that left both men bloody, but the saw the “Dean of Mean” take the most punishment due to several cuts. One in the middle of his forehead left the octagon mat as well as both fighters covered in blood. For that, both men received the “Fight of the Night” award.
Leben earned his second career UFC “Knockout of the Night” award after defeating Aaron Simpson late in the second round by TKO (punches). “The Crippler” looked very good against Simpson and showed the strength of his chin after taking several strong punches. After stopping a takedown, Leben opened up with some punches, catching Simpson and sending him stumbling across the octagon trying to escape. The referee was then forced to step in and stop the fight.
In the main event, Court McGee caught opposing Team Ortiz/Franklin fighter Kris McCray in the second round with a rear-naked-choke, after controlling the fight on the ground. For submitting McCray, as well as earning the only submission victory of the whole card, McGee was given the “Submission of the Night” award.