UFC Sydney Fighter Bonuses: Luke Rockhold Picks Up Bonus for Finishing Michael Bisping
The Ultimate Fighting Championship released the performance-based fighter bonuses from UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping following the event in Sydney on Friday. Luke Rockhold, Louis Smolka, Robert Whittaker and Clint Hester banked an extra $50,000.
Fight of the Night honors went to Whittaker and Hester for their main card middleweight match up. The two weren’t shy about exchanging heavy leather from the sound of the opening bell. Midway through the second frame, Whittaker delivered a knee that knocked Hester to the canvas. The Australian followed up with punches putting an end to the fight.
Luke Rockhold earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his main event stoppage of Michael Bisping. The opening round was competitive, but it was Rockhold pressing the action. Early in the second round, Rockhold landed a high kick that sent Bisping crashing to the canvas. Bisping battled to get back to his feet, but Rockhold applied a guillotine choke forcing the Brit to tap out.
Louis Smolka picked up the second Performance of the Night bonus for his come-from-behind win over Richie Vaculik in preliminary card action. Vaculik was up on the scorecards heading into the final round and was well on his way of winning the fight. It all changed in the opening moments of the final round when Smolka landed a sidekick to the face of Vaculik, knocking him to the canvas. The Hawaiian finished with a series of strikes on the ground.
All 11 bouts on the fight card were finishes.
