TUF 18 Finale bonuses: Ryan Benoit nabs $100K thanks to Sampo missing weight
LAS VEGAS – Nate Diaz and Chris Holdsworth each earned $50,000 bonuses for their performances at Saturday’s TUF 18 Finale event, but it was Ryan Benoit, in a losing effort, who will take home $100,000.
Diaz earned the “Knockout of the Night,†Holdsworth won “Submission of the Night†and Benoit picked up “Fight of the Night†honors for his loss to Joshua Sampo. But because Sampo failed to make weight on Friday, the UFC elected to give Sampo’s $50,000 portion to Benoit, instead.
UFC President Dana White announced the winners at the night’s post-event news conference, which MMAjunkie attended.
It was a big night for Holdsworth, who won an “Ultimate Fighter†title, as well – and the guaranteed UFC contract and Harley-Davidson motorcycle that comes with that crown.
Diaz (17-9 MMA, 12-7 UFC) absolutely lit up Gray Maynard (11-3-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) in their main-event fight. After being taken down, Diaz got back to his feet, and his domination started with a left hand that wobbled Maynard. He then continued to pour it on, landing dozens of crisp punches before referee Yves Lavigne finally stepped in.
Holdsworth (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) got a little extra after winning the Season 18 “Ultimate Fighter†men’s crown. His second-round rear-naked choke of Davey Grant (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) got him a motorcycle from Harley-Davidson, it got him a UFC deal, and it got him a $50,000 bonus.
Sampo (11-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) engaged in a fun back-and-forth with fellow UFC debutante Benoit (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) for nearly two full rounds before catching him with a rear-naked choke late in the second of the night’s first fight. Right out of the gate, Sampo was ineligible for the “Submission of the Night†award – which held up until Holdsworth’s submission midway through the main card. Had he made weight, he certainly would’ve been in the running for a pair of awards, and would’ve gotten
The TUF 18 Finale took place at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The main card aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie.
