Jon Jones and Rashad Evans may have stolen the show at UFC 145, but it was their colleagues who left Atlanta with a fatter wallet.
Travis Browne, Ben Rothwell, Mark Hominick and Eddie Yagin each earned $65,000 in post-fight bonus checks for their performances on Saturday night. UFC President Dana White confirmed the winners during the UFC 145 post-fight press conference.
As the owner of the night’s only submission finish, Browne earned ‘Submission of the Night’ honors by default. Though, that’s not to diminish his performance. The massive heavyweight was impressive in victory, blasting Strikeforce veteran Chad Griggs with a flying knee early in the first round, before securing a body lock and locking in the finishing arm triangle.
“I belong here,” Browne proclaimed afterward. “UFC heavyweights, watch out, baby.”
Later in the evening, Rothwell stunned spectators by storming back from early trouble to drop Brendan Schaub with a desperation counter left hook, pounding out the former TUF contestant to earn the upset win and cement his claim to ‘Knockout of the Night.’
“If you’re going to stand in front of me, you’re probably going to go down,” Rothwell happily said. “There’s the proof.”
Rounding out the night, Eddie Yagin put on the performance of his career to earn a shocking split decision win over former featherweight title contender Mark Hominick. The two engaged in a furious scrap that nearly ended numerous times, however both men survived to earn ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.