With nary a dull fight on the card, the UFC brass had plenty of options for post-fight bonuses at UFC Paris.
In the end, forgoing a Fight of the Night, the promotion opted to award four Performance of the Night bonuses following Saturday’s Fight Night event at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.
Among the winners, incoming heavyweight Ante Delija, a former PFL champion who the UFC had first attempted to sign years ago. The Croatian made his debut opposite Marcin Tybura, a tried and battle-tested Polish big man who has consistently hung with some of the best in the division. He didn’t hang with Delija for long, however, with the knockout finish coming just past two minutes into the opening round.
Co-headliner Benoit Saint-Denis, meanwhile, submitted Fighting Nerd Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event to secure his own $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Paris. “BSD” was dominant with his wrestling and cruising to victory regardless when he sunk in a rear-naked choke in the second round. It was a rough night for Brazil’s Fighting Nerds, as Ruffy’s teammate Caio Borralho was soundly defeated in his main event fight opposite Nassourdine Imavov.
The remaining two Performance bonuses at UFC Paris were awarded to Mason Jones, for a TKO finish of Bolaji Oki, and Kaue Fernandes, who chopped down newcomer and ex-Cage Warriors champ Harry Hardwick with leg kicks. Only two fights went the distance on the night, with all seven fights on the prelims and four more on the main card ending early.
