UFC Fight Night 98 bonuses: An emotional choke, a spinning backfist and a five-round slugfest

MEXICO CITY – Tony Ferguson, Rafael dos Anjos, Ricardo Lamas and Douglas Silva de Andrade each earned $50,000 bonuses for their work at UFC Fight Night 98.

Lamas and de Andrade earned “Performance of the Night” awards, and Ferguson and dos Anjos took home “Fight of the Night” honors.

UFC officials announced the winners following Saturday’s card.

Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) and former lightweight champion dos Anjos (25-9 MMA, 14-7 UFC) battled for 25 minutes, but in a close fight, it was Ferguson who a trio of 48-47 scores from the judges for his ninth straight win. Over those nine wins, he has an impressive seven bonus awards – including extra post-fight checks in five straight now, including a double.

Lamas (17-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) had to survive some first-round submission trouble against Charles Oliveira (21-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) in their fight, but in the second he turned the tables and submitted the choke specialist with a choke of his own. Lamas’ guillotine got him back on track after a loss to Max Holloway in June. He dedicated the fight to former teammate Josh Samman, who died in October, and to his mother, who currently is fighting a cancer battle.

De Andrade (24-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) pulled off a rarity when he landed a spinning back fist against Henry Briones (16-6-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) for a first-round TKO.

UFC Fight Night 98 took place Saturday at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, and it aired on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

For more on UFC Fight Night 98, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.