UFC Fight Night 26 Fighter Bonuses: Michael McDonald Leads Award Winners with $100,000

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that five bonuses were awarded following the organization’s first event on the newly launched Fox Sports 1 network, UFC Fight Night 26: Shogun vs. Sonnen, on Saturday in Boston.

Matt Brown, Travis Browne, Chael Sonnen, Brad Pickett and Michael McDonald took home the performance-based bonuses, which totaled $50,000 each.

Two Knockout of the Night bonuses were awarded, to Travis Browne and Matt Brown.

Matt Brown overwhelmed Mike Pyle in main card welterweight action, taking only 29 seconds to finish Pyle.  It all started with a well-placed knee that knocked Pyle to the ground and Brown finished with a series of right hands.

Travis Browne came from behind to finish Alistair Overeem in the first round of the co-main event of the card.  Overeem appeared to be on his way to a one-sided victory early in the round, landing knees in the clinch and punches.  Browne weathered the early storm and landed a front kick to the face of Overeem that knocked the kickboxing champion down.  Browne finished him off with hammerfists on the ground.

There were also two Submission of the Night bonuses awarded, to Chael Sonnen and Michael McDonald.

Sonnen defeated former light heavyweight titleholder Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by guillotine choke in the opening round of the main event.  Sonnen utilized his wrestling ability to get the fight to the ground.  Rua attempt to get back to his feet and Sonnen applied the choke and pulled guard to tighten it up.  Rua was forced to tap out.

Bantamweight contender McDonald put on a striking clinic in the first round against Brad Pickett on the preliminary card, knocking Pickett down twice.  Pickett secured a takedown in the second round that proved to be his undoing.  McDonald quickly applies a triangle choke that forced Pickett to surrender.

McDonald doubled up on bonuses with him and Pickett also earning Fight of the Night honors.

The bonus awards following UFC Fight Night 26 totaled $250,000.

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