Adrian Yanez can afford to splurge on some extra cases from Dr. Pepper following UFC Vegas 32.
Saturday’s ESPN-based card was an action-packed affair, with at least three candidates for Fight of the Night, and six finishes vying for Performance of the Night bonuses. The return of ex-bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw topped the event, as he won a split decision against Cory Sandhagen. The victory was Dillashaw’s first in over two years, thanks in part to a 24-month suspension from USADA for use of the banned substance EPO.
Dillashaw’s fight against Cory Sandhagen was in the running for Fight of the Night, as was Yanez’s own scrap against Randy Costa, which he finished in the second round after being dominated in the first. Dillashaw would have to do without a bonus, however, while Yanez was awarded one of two Performance awards.
Fight of the Night, meanwhile, went to the co-main event tilt between Kyler Phillips and Raulian Paiva, a majority decision with Paiva coming out on top.
The fight did not start out in his favor. Phillips had a strong first round and arguably did enough to garner a 10-8. Paiva stormed back in the second, hurting Phillips multiple times. The third round was the deciding factor as only one judge actually scored the 10-8 for Phillips in the first.
The event’s second Performance of the Night bonus went to Darren Elkins. “The Damage” secured his own comeback victory in the second round of his bout with Darrick Minner. Minner, utilizing strong grappling, got out to an early lead, but Elkins wore him down as the fight progressed.
All four fights will pick up $50,000 on top of their show and win money for their efforts.
