Photo via UFC.com
“Fight Night” bonuses were handed out to Josh Koscheck, Nate Diaz, Jon Jones and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson for their efforts at Saturday nights UFC 135 event. Each fighter pocketed an extra $75,000 in bonus money.
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage took place on Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Also of note, the event drew a live gate of 16,344 fans into the arena for a total live gate of $2 million.
UFC President Dana White announced both bits of news at the post-fight press conference.
Koscheck walked away with the “Knockout of the Night” bonus after finishing UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes late in the first round of their match. Koscheck followed up a failed Hughes takedown by dropping punches and hammerfists to end the match with one-second on the clock to win by knockout.
Diaz earned the “Submission of the Night” bonus, his seventh bonus overall and third for winning by submission, won for his first round armbar of Japanese fighter Takanori Gomi. Diaz followed up several strikes by following his opponent to the mat to secure an armbar submission.
Headliners Jones and Jackson were awarded with the “Fight of the Night” for their four round match, which saw Jones defend his belt by securing a rear-naked choke submission to end the fight. Jones used his long reach to keep Jackson at bay in an entertaining affair and was eventually successful in attempting a submission in the fourth round.