UFC 293 Winning Bonuses: Strickland Banks $50K After Picking Huge Win Over Israel Adesanya
The long-awaited middleweight title fight turned out to be a one-way street for Sean Strickland. The American was able to beat Israel Adesanya in four of the five rounds of the fight and even knocked down “Stylebender” in the closing stages of the first round. It was a tremendous performance by Sean Strickland, which aroused the admiration of most of his colleagues.
UFC 293 was co-headlined by a heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Volkov. The fight ended with another impressive victory for Alexander Volkov. The former Bellator heavyweight champion was able to pepper Tai Tuivasa with strikes while he was on his feet, before landing a hold on Ezekiel that forced the local fighter to tap out.
The victory marked Volkov’s third in a row and prepared him for a great fight.
Following the conclusion of last Saturday night’s event, UFC officials announced at the post-fight press conference that four fighters would take home performance bonuses.
► Fight of the night
Manel Kape defeated Felipe dos Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
In one of the best fights of the night, flyweight debutant Felipe Dos Santos took on top-ranked and promising Manel Kape. Dos Santos was originally going to fight for a contract with the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series but ended up on the main card at UFC 293 facing one of the best flyweights in the division.
Although he did not achieve victory against Kape, Dos Santos showed that he belonged to the group of the best after 15 exciting minutes worthy of the Fight of the Night award and an extra $50,000.
Flyweight fighters Manel Kape and Felipe dos Santos each took home an extra $50,000 for their exciting bout tonight on the main card of UFC 292. Kape won the bout by unanimous decision.
► Performance of the night
Justin Tafa defeated Austen Lane by TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:22.
Justin Tafa was about to suffer the same fate as in his first confrontation with Austen Lane, which was not played due to a blow to the eye. Tafa was also hit early in this bout, but the fight continued for a few brief moments.
Tafa landed a crushing left hand that crushed Lane, ending the fight violently in the first round. In a night with a few clean finishes, this one certainly deserved the performance of the night award.
Justin Tafa pocketed an extra $50,000 for his first-round knockout victory over Austen Lane.
Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).
It wasn’t a stroke of luck or any other fortuitous moment inside the cage. Over five rounds, Strickland cleanly outpointed the now-former middleweight king, Israel Adesanya, to take the UFC title. It was an impeccable performance.
Naturally, Strickland’s display against one of the all-time greats deserves something extra, and he takes home an extra $50,000 along with the UFC middleweight title. Sean Strickland pocketed an extra $50,000 for his dominant performance in this past Saturday night’s UFC 293 main event against Israel Adesanya. The Americans won the fight by unanimous decision.
