UFC 134 Rio Post-Fight Bonuses: No Subs, but Three Fighters Nab $100,000 Each

UFC 134 took place in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night and Brazilians surely held their home turf, winning eight of the 12 fights on the evening’s card. Of the three fighters who earned bonuses, two of them were from the South American country and performed well enough to pocket an extra $100,000 in cash.

Listed in the sportsbooks as an underdog, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira shocked everyone with a knockout of young up-and-comer Brendan Schaub. “Big Nog” finished his opponent in the first round of their meeting, and did so in his first ever professional fight in Brazil. It took 40 fights, but he finally got to showcase his abilities in front of his home crowd and walked away with a healthy bonus for the Knockout of the Night.

Edson Barboza and Ross Person punched their clocks mid-way through the main card and traded shots for the length of their fight. Barboza took home the split decision win, but not without Pearson putting up some stiff opposition. Pearson, the British fighter, stood with his Brazilian counterpart and put on some pretty offense of his own. With the fight being as close as it was and both fighters striking at their peaks, each of them walked away with a bonus and earned Fight of the Night honors.

Even though UFC Rio bonuses were $100,000 each, UFC president Dana White’s wallet didn’t take as much punishment as a typical fight card due to there being no submission victories on Saturday night. No tapouts means no Submission of the Night was awarded.

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