The UFC handed out four post-fight bonuses after Saturday’s card, including one to a debuting lightweight.
After UFC 301, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Rio de Janeiro. Check out the winners below.
Performance of the Night: Alessandro Costa
Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:35
On a night with the flyweight title on the line in the main event, Alessandro Costa (14-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) picked a perfect time to make a big impression. Although the Brazil native trains and lives in Mexico, he got the fans rallied in his home country early with a leg kick-heavy second-round TKO of Kevin Borjas (9-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) to open the card.
Performance of the Night: Mauricio Ruffy
Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:42
Mauricio Ruffy (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) lived up to whatever hype preceded him when he took out Jamie Mullarkey (17-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC) with a first-round TKO. Ruffy mostly had his way with Mullarkey in the standup for the first four or so minutes. Late in the round, he slid for a leg sweep takedown, and that seemed to be the moment his confidence went to the moon. Soon after, he threw a jumping knee, then pieced up Mullarkey to get the finish with 18 seconds left in the opening round of his UFC debut.
Performance of the Night: Caio Borralho
Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:10
Caio Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was a huge favorite over Paul Craig (17-8-1 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC) in their main card opener, and he showed why when he took out the Scotsman with a knack for comebacks. While Craig was backing up from some big punches from the Brazilian, Borralho caught him with a few stunners, then a big left hand buckled him.
Performance of the Night: Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:54
Michel Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) pulled off a sensational standing guillotine submission of Ihor Potieria (21-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC) that had him tapping, then going out, anyway. But Pereira threw a cartwheel kick prior to that – and it landed precariously close to Potiera’s head while he was grounded. After cageside discussions, ultimately the win stuck.
UFC 301 results
- Champ Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – to retain flyweight title
- Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino vs. via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:00
- Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:54
- Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:10
- Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore via TKO (injury) – Round 2, 3:35
- Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:42
- Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:35
