The UFC’s latest visit to Mexico, Saturday’s UFC Mexico City saw Brandon Moreno at long last pick up a win inside the octagon on Mexican soil.
It was four other fighters, three of them Mexican, who took home bonus money when the dust had cleared, however. The four Performance bonuses were handed out in lieu on a Fight of the Night, despite a couple of deserving options in Loopy Godinez vs. Julia Polastri, and Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Kevin Borjas (though Rodriguez missing weight for the fight might have soured that option just a little).
Among those taking home an extra $50,000 U.S. on Saturday were two debuting fighters: bantamweight David Martinez, who scored a big main-card TKO finish of Saimon Oliveira, and middleweight Ateba Gautier. A DWCS alum, like Martinez, Gautier knocked out Jose Daniel Medina, setting up the finish with a knee.
Also claiming Performance of the Night bonuses at UFC Mexico City were Manuel Torres and Edgar Chairez. After Joe Pyfer’s fight with Kelvin Gasteum was pulled from the card, Chairez found his fight against CJ Vergara promoted to the main card. After putting away Vergara with a face crank, Chairez was overwhelmed with emotion, having earned his second win inside the octagon, and second in Mexico City for the promotion.
Torres won big in the UFC Mexico City co-main event, knocking down lightweight staple Drew Dober and battering him with hammer fists under the ref finally stepped in.
All four bonuses winners at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City take home an additional $50,000 on top of their purse, outfitting pay, etc.
