The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s card in France, including a knockout that’s likely to be very high on everyone’s KO of the Year list.
After UFC Fight Night 243, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances at Accor Arena in Paris. Check out the winners below.
Performance of the Night: Chris Duncan def. Bolaji Oki
Chris Duncan def. Bolaji Oki via technical submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 3:34
Starting off the night in France with an impressive finish was Chris Duncan. To his surprise, Duncan didn’t even realize he finished Bolaji Oki until he wasn’t responding. Duncan (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) locked up a guillotine choke from the bottom, and released the hold, looking to punch. However, Oki (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was asleep. Duncan then motioned to the referee that his opponent was in la-la land, and the fight was over. Duncan earns the first bonus of his UFC career, one that quite literally fell in his lap.
Performance of the Night: Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola
Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola via knockout (knee) – Round 3, 2:59
The UFC might as well have just handed Fares Ziam his bonus check as he exited the octagon. His knockout of Matt Frevola is a sure-fire Knockout of the Year contender. Ziam (16-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was picking apart Frevola (11-5-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) in the first two rounds of the fight, but in the third, he blasted Frevola with a vicious knee on the exit of a clinch. Frevola went unconscious on contact, and a couple of follow-up punches got there before the referee could rush in. Ziam’s first UFC bonus is certainly one to remember.
Performance of the Night: Morgan Charriere def. Gabriel Miranda
Morgan Charriere def. Gabriel Miranda via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 0:27
Keeping the French crowd hyped up with another vicious finish was Moragn Charriere. Gabriel Miranda found himself attempting to escape a clinch from Charriere, but didn’t expect a crushing punch to meet him as he turned back into his opponent. Charriere’s left hand sent Miranda to the canvas, and the celebration was on.
That’s three consecutive fights for “The Last Pirate” earning a $50,000 bonus. Charriere is pure excitement.
Performance of the Night: Bryan Battle def. Kevin Jousset
Bryan Battle def. Kevin Jousset via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:47
While the French crowd was amped with back-to-back bonus-earning finishes before his fight, Bryan Battle flipped the cheers to boos. Battle spoiled the party for France’s Kevin Jousset, boxing him up for a nasty second-round TKO finish. He then got on the mic and delivered one of the most emphatic heel promos on the mic, urging the French crowd to keep booing him. Battle will fly back to the States with an extra $50,000, the second bonus of his UFC career.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 243.
