Anthony Smith got a much needed win on Saturday — and earned an extra $50,000 in bonus money for his efforts.
Smith was one of four Performance of the Night bonus recipients following UFC Vegas 15. “Lionheart” and opponent Devin Clark, originally the co-main event, were bumped up to the top of the card after Curtis Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19.
He made the most of things, locking up a triangle from the bottom on Clark in the opening round of their light heavyweight bout. That forced the tap, and got Smith back in the win column after back-to-back losses earlier this year.
The sixth-ranked light heavyweight was clearly elated after the fight.
The other Performance bonuses at UFC Vegas 15 went to Su Mudaerji, Nate Maness, and Miguel Baeza. Baeza locked up a submission of his own in the co-main event, using an arm-triangle to put Takashi Sato away.
Maness was also rewarded for a submission, with a rear-naked choke the key to victory in his fight against Luke Sanders. Mudaerji, meanwhile, knocked out Canadian Malcolm Gordon at flyweight — the only one of the four bonus-winning finishes not to happen via submission.
No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded at UFC Vegas 15. All four fighters will pick up an extra $50,000 for their efforts.
