Tristan Connelly made the most of his UFC debut, taking part in the evening’s “Fight of the Night” and earning both sides of the bonus after opponent Michel Pereira missed weight.
Thanks to the circumstances, Connelly took home $100,000 in bonus money at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 16 event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Additionally, Justin Gaethje and Misha Cirkunov each took home $50,000 for the evening’s “Performance of the Night” awards. UFC officials announced the winners following the event, which MMA Junkie attended.
Connelly (14-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was a massive underdog against the free-wheeling Pereira (23-10 MMA, 1-1 UFC) but survived an early barrage of over-the-top theatrics to grind out a decision win on home soil and take home the double bonus.
Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) kept his incredible run of fight-night bonuses alive in the night’s main event, scoring a first-round stoppage win over Donald Cerrone (38-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) and picking up his seventh extra check in six UFC appearances.
Meanwhile, Cirkunov (15-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) went toe-to-toe with a previously unbeaten Jimmy Crute (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), and while things didn’t initially seem to be going his way, Cirkunov was able to hit a beautiful sweep and lock in a slick Peruvian necktie to score the upset win and an extra check.
