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$100K for UFC 100 bonuses

By Damon Martin / MMAWeekly.com

A historic night happened in Las Vegas on Saturday as UFC 100 and 11,000 fans in attendance ascended on Sin City with two monumental title fights headlining the card. The promotion also handed down its largest bonuses ever with each fighter honored with a post-fight award getting $100,000 for his efforts in the Octagon.

"Knockout of the Night" was a virtual lock after Dan Henderson landed one of his famous right hands to put "Ultimate Fighter" season 3 winner Michael Bisping to sleep in the second round of their middleweight showdown. Henderson put Bisping out with one punch, but followed up with one more shot for his troubles, and now pockets an extra $100,000 for the knockout.

Tom Lawlor went from his "Just Bleed" tribute on Friday to a "Submission of the Night" on Saturday, as he choked out opponent C.B. Dollaway in the first round to earn his fight bonus, and his first win at 185 pounds.

"Fight of the Night" landed in the hands of Japanese newcomer Yoshihiro Akiyama and opponent Alan Belcher. Akiyama won a controversial split decision after a three-round war. Both Akiyama and Belcher will take home an additional $100,000 for the best fight of UFC 100.

The historic card that drew such a large live crowd also earned the UFC a $5.1 million gate. The only UFC event in Las Vegas to draw a larger number was Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz II, which grossed $5.4 million.