The UFC closed out 2020 with a solid Fight Night card on Saturday night — and four fighters took home some extra spending cash for Christmas based on strong individual performances.
That included main event welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, who dismantled opponent Geoff Neal over the course of five rounds. The theory coming into the fight was that it was Neal’s chance to break into the 170lb division’s elite, with Thompson serving as gatekeeper. However, the 37-year old had no intention of letting that happen, winning a lopsided decision and even asking Neal if he was okay at one point during the fight. Because that’s just the sort of guy “Wonderboy” is. It all earned him one of four Performance of the Night bonuses handed out at UFC Vegas 17.
How's that for a Christmas bonus? 🤑
💰 @WonderboyMMA
💰 @RobSFont
💰 @MarcinTybura
💰 @JimmyFlick[B2YB @CyberpunkGame] pic.twitter.com/daVQEdvfjI
— UFC (@ufc) December 20, 2020
Heavyweight Marcin Tybura was another big winner on Saturday night. He came the first man to stop disgraced NFL star Greg Hardy inside the octagon. After surviving a siege in the opening round, Tybura came back to wear Hardy out in the second. Securing a takedown later in the frame, the Polish fighter had Hardy covering up, helpless to do anything against a barrage of ground n’ pound.
The sight of Hardy being battered was a new one for UFC fans, as he had only previously lost by decision and DQ.
Jimmy Flick also picked up a Performance of the Night bonuses Saturday. Flick, in his octagon debut, landed a flying triangle choke on fellow newcomer Cody Durden. The final Performance bonus went to Rob Font, who completely overwhelmed former WSOF champ and UFC title contender Marlon Moraes on the feet. That fight ended in a first-round TKO for Font.
No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded at UFC Vegas 17. All four fighters will pick up an extra $50,000 USD for their efforts.
