TUF 18 Finale Fighter Bonuses: Ryan Benoit Scores $100,000 in Odd Twist on Fight of the Night
UFC officials doled out the usual $50,000 post-fight performance bonuses at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas… only there was a twist to the Fight of the Night award.
The opening fight of the night, a flyweight battle between Josh Sampo and Ryan Benoit, earned the Fight of the Night honors, which usually means both fighters get a $50,000 bonus check, but not on Saturday.
Despite winning the bout, Sampo went home empty handed for being one half of the Fight of the Night, while Benoit took home $100,000. Sampo was ineligible for any bonus money because he weighed in at 127.5 pounds on Friday and was unable to get down to the required 126-pound limit for the fight.
TUF 18 Finale main event winner Nate Diaz scored the $50,000 Knockout of the Night bonus after pummeling Gray Maynard en route to a two-minute-thirty-eight-second knockout in the opening round.
Chris Holdsworth not only won a six-figure UFC contract with his second-round rear-naked choke to stop Davey Grant, he also secured Submission of the Night honors and an additional $50,000.
UFC officials handed out $200,000 in TUF 18 Finale fighter bonuses on Saturday night.
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