When we list the contenders for “Fight of the Year” come December, it’s likely that Saturday night’s thrilling featherweight throwdown between Josh Emmett and Shane Burgos will be among the fights listed.
So it should come as no surprise, then, that Emmett’s unanimous decision victory over Burgos took “Fight of the Night” honors at UFC on ESPN 11, earning both competitors an extra $50,000.
Emmett, who won his third consecutive fight, earned his second career post-fight bonus, which have come in back-to-back fights. Burgos, who had a three-fight winning streak snapped, earned his third post-fight bonus. All three bonuses won by the exiting Bronx brawler have been “Fight of the Night” awards.
There was also a pair of $50,00 “Performance of the Night” awards handed out after the event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The irrepressible Jim Miller is now a 12-time bonus winner, as he took home POTN for his first-round submission of Roosevelt Roberts in a 160-pound catchweight fight.
Meanwhile, Justin Jaynes, who didn’t even know he’d be fighting in the UFC this weekend when the week started, made the most of his UFC debut, as he needed just 41 seconds for a short-notice victory over Frank Camacho. Jaynes took home the other POTN award.
