The UFC 282 card, weak on paper, ended with a fizzle — but it started with a bang. And it ran with that momentum.
Ten straight fights saw finishes, right out of the opening gate, when Cameron Saiiman, deducted a point for an illegal knee, put away fellow newcomer Steven Koslow in the third round. One fight later, TJ Brown also picked up a third round finish, submitting another newcomer in Erik Silva.
Back-to-back third round finishes are rare; rarer still is seeing four third round finishes in a single night. But on the main card, Dricus Du Plessis vs. Darren Till also ended in the third. So did Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Alex Morono.
All those winners: Saiiman, Koslow, Ponzinibbio (more on Du Plessis later) — were among the Performance of the Night bonus winners at UFC 282. UFC President Dana White confirmed that all finishing fighters would pick up $50,000 for their efforts, speaking at the post-fight press conference with Cageside Press on hand and adding “since it’s the holidays.”
The other winning fighters include Billy Quarantillo, Chris Curtis, Edmen Shahbazyan, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Raul Rosas. Jr., and Ilia Topuria.
Fight of the Night was awarded to Dricus Du Plessis and Darren Till. It’s not clear if Du Plessis will therefore double up on bonuses, as he finished Till in the third. Either way, it was a big night for all involved.
Update, 2:15AM ET — The UFC has clarified that nine fighters will receive Performance of the Night bonuses, while Du Plessis will receive a single bonus for Fight of the Night, along with Till. Alex Morono was also paid his win money, despite being finished by Santiago Ponzinibbio. Morono accepted the fight on short notice.
