The UFC handed out four post-fight bonuses after Saturday’s card, including one to a man whose nickname predicts the bonus amount.
After UFC Fight Night 217, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Las Vegas. Check out the winners below.
Performance of the Night: Allan Nascimento
Allan Nascimento def. Carlos Hernandez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:16
With the UFC’s all-time submissions leader, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, in his corner, Allan Nascimento (20-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) did him proud when he tapped out Carlos Hernandez (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) with a first-round standing rear-naked choke. Nascimento worked to Hernandez’s back and dragged him to the canvas. When Hernandez got back to his feet, Nascimento stayed latched to him, got a body triangle and worked until he had his forearm under Hernandez’s chin.
Performance of the Night: Umar Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Raoni Barcelos via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:40
Umar Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) took his time with Raoni Barcelos (17-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC), and then out of nowhere the fight was over. Nurmagomedov threw a knee to the body that mostly missed, but a left hand he threw right behind it drilled Barcelos on the chin and had him flat on his back on the canvas. Nurmagomedov was by far the biggest betting favorite on the card.
Performance of the Night: Roman Kopylov
Roman Kopylov def. Punahele Soriano via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:19
Roman Kopylov (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) had a tough task on his hands against Hawaii’s Punahele Soriano (9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), who didn’t want to go away. Kopylov worked his jab regularly against Soriano, then started attacking the body. Midway through the second round, he started to put Soriano in trouble and eventually poured on enough offense to get the stoppage.
Performance of the Night: Dan Ige
Dan Ige def. Damon Jackson via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 4:13
Dan Ige (16-6 MMA, 8-5 UFC) lived up to his “50K” nickname when he took out Damon Jackson (22-5-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) with a one-punch knockout in the second round of the co-main event. Ige had Jackson cut and regularly on the defensive. But late in the second round, he faked a right and threw a left that drilled Jackson right in the chin and put him on the canvas. No follow-up shot was needed.