When MMA fans look back on UFC Fight Night 135, Justin Gaethje’s knockout of James Vick in the evening’s main event will leave the most lasting impression.
It’s no surprise, then, that Gaethje pocketed a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his triumph at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday night. “The Highlight” folded Vick with a massive overhand right at the 1:27 mark of round one, halting a two-fight skid in the process.
Meanwhile, Eryk Anders received the card’s other $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check for his knockout of Tim Williams in a featured middleweight clash. The former University of Alabama linebacker landed a perfectly-timed head kick as his foe was attempting to stand to earn the finish 4:42 into the third stanza.
Finally, Cory Sandhagen and Iuri Alcantara pocketed $50,000 apiece for “Fight of the Night” in a preliminary bantamweight affair. Alcantara put his foe in serious danger in the opening stanza with armbar and triangle-armbar attempts, but Sandhagen was able to escape and turn the tide toward the end of the period. The Legacy Fighting Alliance kept the momentum in round two, putting Alcantara away with punches 61 seconds into the frame.