Following yesterday’s UFC Fight Night 162 event in Singapore, the recipients of the $50,000 bonus awards were announced.
Earning ‘Fight Of The Night’ honors was the main event grappling masterclass between Demian Maia and Ben Askren.
Initially the fight started out as a striking affair, with Maia getting the better of the exchanges, though Askren’s unconventional and at times awkward offense was still having an impact, leaving his opponent’s face bloodied.
However, everyone wanted to see what would happen when the fighters locked horns on the mat, and they weren’t disappointed as Askren began to secure a few takedowns, and that lead to some exciting scrambles in the second and third round as they battled for supremacy.
Ultimately it was Maia who triumphed though, using a heel hook to quickly sweep on top after being taken down in the third round, and then getting to Askren’s back and all-but rendering him unconscious with a rear-naked choke finish.
Meanwhile, Beneil Dariush scooped up a ‘Performance Of The Night’ award after he made short work of Frank Camacho.
Dariush found some success taking the fight to Camacho on the feet early in the opening round, but then picked his moment to swoop in for a takedown and soon locked up a rear-naked choke to force his opponent to tap out.
Also earning a ‘Performance Of The Night’ award was rising heavyweight prospect Ciryl Gane, who looked very assured with his striking against Don’Tale Mayes, despite only being in his fifth professional fight, though it was a smart decision to drop back for a heel hook in the dying seconds of the final round after landing a takedown that would earn him a submission victory.
