LAS VEGAS – Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman, Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne each earned $50,000 bonuses for their performances at Saturday’s UFC 187 event.
Champions Cormier and Weidman won “Performance of the Night” bonuses, while Arlovski and Browne earned “Fight of the Night” honors.
UFC officials announced the winners at the post-event news conference, which MMAjunkie attended.
Cormier (16-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) submitted Anthony Johnson (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in the third round of their fight for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. He had to weather an early knockdown from the powerful Johnson, but then let his superior wrestling take over.
Weidman (13-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) pounded out Vitor Belfort (24-11 MMA, 13-7 UFC) in the first round – and also had to survive some early trouble. Belfort hurt the champion and appeared to have him in trouble. But when Weidman took him to the ground, it was the beginning of the end for the Brazilian.
And Arlovski (24-10 MMA, 13-4 UFC) and Browne (17-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) put on one of the best first rounds in UFC history. Arlovski consistently had Browne on the ropes and wobbling, but Browne turned the tide and dropped the former heavyweight champion with a punch. Arlovski survived that, though, and went on to stop Browne late in the first.
UFC 187 bonuses: You know Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne got paid $50,000 | MMAjunkie