UFC 286 BONUSES: The widely anticipated fight of the night came to London
The UFC handed out four post-fight rewards following Saturday’s card, including two for the fight that was expected to take up fight of the night.
After UFC 286, four fighters earned an additional $50,000 for their performances in London. Check out the winners below.
Performer of the night: Jake Hadley
March 18, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Jake Hadley (red gloves) fights Malcolm Gordon (not pictured) during UFC 286 at the O2 Arena. Mandatory credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Hadley defeated. Malcolm Gordon via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:01
[autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) It took a big performance to take a taste of loss in his UFC debut. He came in flying colors with a 61 second TKO of Malcolm Gordon (14-7 MMA, 2-4 UFC) that started with a pair of shots to the body. Gordon lost some weight, so Hadley got 30 percent of his check in addition to his salary and bonus.
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Performer of the night: Gunnar Nilsson
March 18, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Gunnar Nelson (red gloves) prepares to fight Bryan Barberena (not pictured) during UFC 286 at the O2 Arena. Mandatory credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Gunnar Nilsson defeated. Brian Barberina via submission (arm bar) – Round 1, 4:51
A year after he returned from a 30-month absence by winning by decision, jiu-jitsu shone [autotag]Gunnar Nelson[/autotag] (19-5-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC) got his first win in over four years when he tapped Brian Barberina (18-10 MMA, 9-8 UFC) with a rear naked choke in the first round.
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Fight of the Night: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Physiev
Justin Gaethje Dev. Rafael Physiev
Justin Gaethje Dev. Rafael Fizeev by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (24-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) and [autotag]Rafael Physiev[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) They were winners of Fight of the Night on paper even before fight week started. They have lived up to the hype. After opening the two rounds back and forth, Gaethje had a few in the tank in the third and dealt more damage. He ended up with a score of 29-28, but settled for a tie 28-28 on a third card from a judge who gave Vizieff the first two rounds, but gave Gaethje a 10-8 in the last. Gaethje now has 11 bonuses after fighting in 11 UFC fights; He holds six out of eight shifts in the company.
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