Thiago Santos cashed in at UFC Prague, while Stefan Struve earned a Performance of the Night bonus in what may have been his final fight.
The UFC made its debut in the Czech Republic on Saturday, in a show that transpired mid-afternoon for many in the west. With a light heavyweight main event between hard-hitting Thiago Santos and Jan Blachowicz, fireworks were to be expected. Well, UFC Prague delivered them, in that fight and more.
When it came time to dole out the bonuses following UFC Fight Night 145 (as UFC Prague is numerically known), the organization looked to the finishers. Electing not to hand out a Fight of the Night award, the UFC instead gave Performance of the Night bonuses to four fighters, including main event winner Thiago Santos.
💰 50Gs 💰@TMarretaMMA | @StefanStruve | Oleksiejczuk | @DwightGrant#UFCPrague pic.twitter.com/M827rJgiN5
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2019
Also picking up a Performance of the Night award, Stefan Struve, who pulled off second-round submission win against Marcos Rogério de Lima. Following the fight, Struve took off his gloves and left them in the cage, saying while he wasn’t 100% certain he was retiring, there was a good chance he was hanging them up.
If it was indeed his final performance, it was a great way to close out a lengthy career. Although just 31 years old, Struve has competed in 40 pro fights, going 29–11. He has been with the UFC a full decade, making his debut in February 2009.
The remaining Performance of the Night awards at UFC Prague went to Dwight Grant, for his TKO finish of Carlo Pedersoli Jr., and Michał Oleksiejczuk, who brought about the end to Gian Villante’s night with a body punch.
