The UFC handed out seven post-fight bonuses after Saturday’s card with all but one stoppage winner getting an extra check.
After UFC on ABC 3, seven fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Elmont, N.Y. Check out the winners below.
Performance of the Night: Dustin Jacoby
Dustin Jacoby (18-5-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) was doing just fine against Da-un Jung (15-3-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) – nothing to write home about, necessarily. Jung was getting a bit of offense off. But out of nowhere, Jacoby drilled Jung with a right hand behind the ear and put him flat on his back. One-punch knockouts almost always get bonuses, and Jacoby is no exception.
Performance of the Night: Bill Algeo
Bill Algeo (16-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) put it on Herbert Burns (11-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) enough in the first round that Burns was done before the second. He made it out for the middle frame, but it was just academic. A Burns takedown early in the second easily was reversed by Algeo, who then let Burns back to his feet. But when Burns couldn’t do it, the fight was over. Burns seemed to have suffered an injury, but Algeo did plenty to help get him out of there.
Performance of the Night: Ricky Simon
Ricky Simon (20-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) had a tough task on his hands against Jack Shore (16-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who came into the fight unbeaten – and who had every intention of being a fighter who never lost. But in the second round, after a big Simon slam takedown, Shore got back to his feet only to eat a big right hand to the temple. He wobbled, fell to the canvas, then had to deal with Simon on top of him in full mount. Simon took his back, then got his neck, and soon after Shore was tapping his unbeaten record away.
Performance of the Night: Punahele Soriano
Punahele Soriano (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) had some struggles against Dalcha Lungiambula (11-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in the first round. But when it appeared Lungiambula might have a rib injury going into the second, the question was whether Soriano would notice and take advantage. But the ribs made no difference. Soriano landed a big counter left that put Lungiambula on the mat, and within three punches the fight was over.
Performance of the Night: Li Jingliang
Li Jingliang (19-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was in a dogfight with Muslim Salikhov (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) that looked like either fight could steal the momentum. Then with about a minute left in the second round, Jingliang landed a huge right hand that put Salikhov in retreat mode. After Jingliang fended off a defensive takedown attempt, he landed to the body, then a two-punch combo that put Salikhov on the mat. After a barrage of punches, Jingliang had a huge win.
Performance of the Night: Amanda Lemos
Amanda Lemos (12-2-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was the biggest favorite on the card, so perhaps her win over Michelle Waterson (18-10 MMA, 6-6 UFC) in their strawweight fight wasn’t a big surprise. But it definitely had a unique ending. Lemos had to rally a bit in the second round after losing the first from two of the three judges. When she got Waterson in a guillotine choke, the referee was on the wrong side to see Waterson tap. But Lemos broke the choke herself, and Waterson sat up and acknowledged that she did indeed submit.
Fight of the Night: Matt Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji
In one of the craziest comebacks of the year, Matt Schnell (16-7 MMA, 6-5 UFC) put Su Mudaerji (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) to sleep with a triangle choke in the second round. Schnell absolutely could’ve been finished himself multiple times in the middle round when Mudaerji lit him up time and time again with elbows. But Schnell was in zombie mode and walked through them