UFC 188 got off to a slow start, with numerous ugly, boring decisions, but it came out strong after the midway point. Topped by the heavyweight title unification bout between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, fans were treated to some wild back-and-forth action and numerous impressive submission wins.
While there were some quality performances all around, the UFC did well in selecting the recipients of the post-fight bonus checks. Here are the winners:
#UFC188 bonuses go to Rosa, Rodriguez, Williams and Werdum
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) June 14, 2015
Fight of the Night: Yair Rodriguez vs. Charles Rosa
Yair Rodriguez and Charles Rosa both took home bonus checks, and they earned every dime of it. Rodriguez opened the fight with a slew of high-flying kicks and hyper-aggressive strikes. Things didn’t slow down much from there, either, as frenetic scrambles gave way to aggressive stand-up. While the bout would reach the judges, with Rodriguez taking a unanimous-decision win (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), the fight was an absolute treat.
Yours truly questioned why Rodriguez was on the main card over the likes of Henry Cejudo or even Cathal Pendred. He proved himself here, though.
Performance of the Night: Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum continued to muddy up the heavyweight history books by beating Cain Velasquez in convincing fashion. After two back-and-forth rounds defined by bloody, ugly striking, a tired Velasquez shot in for an ill-advised takedown that Werdum instantly capitalized on. Velasquez tapped, which earned Werdum a cool $50,000…oh, and the undisputed UFC heavyweight title, too.
Performance of the Night: Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams debuted in the UFC by receiving a brutal flying knee from Chris Beal. His second fight, however, went significantly better.
Williams cracked TUF: Latin America winner Alejandro Perez with a right hand in the opening seconds of their fight. With Perez on wobbly legs, Williams leaned on his grappling to put the fight away, getting hold of Perez’s neck, sinking in a guillotine choke and pressing him against the cage. It was a brutal victory, reminiscent of Scott Jorgensen’s infamous standing guillotine choke win in the WEC days.
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