The UFC’s TUF 16 Finale featured some fierce Fight Night bonus competition, with no shortage of fighters tossing their hats in the ring for an award or two.
While each of the Fight, Knockout and Submission of the Night accolades lacked nothing in the way of deserving candidates, each category produced but a single winner.
Let’s take a look at who emerged victorious for each honor, garnering a pretty $40,000 bonus for their troubles.
Fight of the Night: Tim Elliott vs. Jared Papazian
The first fight of the night also happened to be the best—a three-round flyweight firefight between Tim Elliott and Jared Papazian. Though it was Elliott who claimed victory, both fighters exit the event winners, gaining recognition for their combined exhilarating performance.
The bout featured a bevy of exciting exchanges on the feet, but was ultimately decided by Elliott’s wrestling and persistent submission attempts. Though unable to earn a finish, Elliot’s constant activity and Papazian‘s staunch resistance made for a sufficiently entertaining affair that set the tempo for the event’s remaining matchups.
Submission of the Night: T.J. Waldburger
He had stiff competition from Dustin Poirier and Mike Rio, but Waldburger‘s slick triangle submission over Nick Catone fattens his wallet Saturday night.
After a grinding first round that saw Catone gain the upper hand, Waldburger came out firing in the second, dropping his foe and working for a guillotine choke. Though the endeavor failed to materialize, Waldburger was able to switch it to a triangle choke that Catone just couldn’t escape.
After defending momentarily, Catone went limp and Waldburger was declared the winner.
Knockout of the Night: Pat Barry
It’s certainly not east to bestow Knockout of the Night honors on any one fighter when six put their opponent to sleep. But in the end, Barry leaves Vegas with a $40,000 check and a new accolade in hand.
Barry’s handiwork manifested in a second-round blitz of Shane Del Rosario, who was unable to prevent “HD” from landing a big right hand. Once the first strike found its mark, Barry kept coming. The result was academic from there.
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