Who says heavyweights can’t entertain?
UFC Abu Dhabi went down on Saturday at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the site formerly known as “Fight Island.” And it was the heavyweights showing up, showing out, and cashing in for their efforts as well, with both Fight of the Night and one of two Performance of the Night bonuses going to big men.
Taking home $100,000 U.S. in bonus money was Valter Walker, fighting out his contract at the event. Facing Thomas Petersen, Walker, on a four-fight win streak with all four victories coming via heel hook submission, snatched a leg again. Not a heel hook this time, but rather a calf slicer that forced Petersen to hastily tap out.
Five wins, five submissions, all by some variation of leg lock, and now three straight Performance of the Night bonuses for “The Clean Monster.” The UFC would be crazy not to sign the Brazilian, who is a clear danger on the ground.
Fight of the Night at UFC Abu Dhabi was shared by Rizvan Kuniev and Tyrell Fortune. While Fortune found some success with his right hand early, the good fortune stopped there. Kuniev attacked with knees, landing to the body early and often and apparently injuring a rib. By the third round, the tough-as-nails Fortune was complaining that he had trouble breathing, and he folded under one final onslaught made up of primarily, you guessed it, knees.
Flyweight Ramazan Temirov picked up the remaining Performance bonus for his co-main event TKO finish of ex-flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg.
All other finishers on the card took home $25,000 in bonus money. Those would be Abdul Hussein, Axel Sola, Sam Patterson, Muhammad Saidov, and headliner Magomed Ankalaev.
