Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White handed out $50,000 in bonuses to UFC 157 event participants Robbie Lawler, Kenny Robertson, Dennis Bermudez and Matt Grice.
White announced the news at the post-fight press conference for the UFC 157 pay-per-view event which took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The event drew an estimated 15,525 fans into the arena for a lvie gate of $1.4 million breaking an attendance record for the venue set back at UFC 121 with a crowd of 14,856.
Lawler was awarded “Fight of the Night,” while “Submission of the Night” went to Robertson, leaving “Fight of the Night” to Bermudez and Grice.
Lawler made a triumphant return to the Octagon after spending several years under the Strikeforce banner. ‘Ruthless’ faced former UFC welterweight contender Josh Koscheck and needed only the first round to end things. Following a Koscheck takedown, Lawler was able to sneak out and with his opponent on his hands and knees against the cage, opened up with several right hands. Koscheck looked stunned for a second and referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight. Many at home, including announced Joe Rogan thought the fight had been ended too early. The stoppage came at 3:57 of the round.
Robertson captured his first Octagon victory in three attempts using a modified kneebar to finish opponent Brock Jardine in the first at 2:57. Appearing to be in a some minor trouble while both men were on the mat, Robertson grabbed Jardine’s left leg in what appeared to be an attempt to stop his opponent from further taking his back. Robertson straightened Jardine’s leg, stretching it out and putting immense pressure on the hamstring forcing Jardine to tap right away. In the post fight interview Robertson claimed to have used it before when he wrestled and thought it would transition well to mixed martial arts.
Bermudez and Grice battled to a Split Decision on the FX broadcasted preliminary card with Bermudez earning the win. Despite Grice having the edge in the first round, Bermudez would turn things up into the second and third wobbling his opponent a few times but not enough to finish things. The two would battle to the bell in the third with scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 in favor of the TUF 14 runner-up fighter.