With another card in the bag, the UFC Orlando bonuses went to the main event winner plus a trio of other deserving fighters.
For the second week in a row, the UFC put on an underrated card that performed above expectations when all was said and done. What UFC Orlando (UFC on FOX 28) lacked in star power it made up for in action, with seven finishes on the card, and a number of exciting bouts brimming with fireworks.
Among those were Tecia Torres vs. Jessiaca Andrade, who put on a thrilling war in the evening’s co-main event. ‘The Tiny Tornado’ Torres found success, and a home for her right hand, early in the fight. However, as the affair wore on the powerful Andrade pulled further and further ahead, scooping Torres up and slamming her down repeatedly. In the end, Andrade picked up a unanimous decision. It was not enough, however, to convince the UFC to give them Fight of the Night, however. That honor instead went to Alan Jouban vs. Ben Saunders. That stand-up war ended roughly mid-way through the fight when Jouban sent Saunders crashing to the canvas. It was a potential Performance of the Night bonus winner, but the UFC ultimately decided the pair put on enough of a show to earn Fight of the Night.
In all honesty, any of Torres vs. Andrade, Griffin vs. Perry, and Jouban vs. Saunders could have got the nod.
Performance of the Night bonuses were handed out to Jeremy Stephens, for his second round finish of Josh Emmett, and Ilir Latifi, who choked out Ovince St. Preux via guillotine. The Stephens bonus will likely raise some eyebrows, as fans, pundits, and even fellow fighters debated some apparently illegal strikes Stephens connected with leading up to the finish. That said, the ref allowed the action to continue, and Stephens ultimately got the win.
All four UFC Orlando bonus winners will receive $50,000 for their efforts.
