The Octagon roared back to life in Rio de Janeiro, and the Brazilian crowd got exactly what they came for, finishes, fireworks, and plenty of UFC bonuses.
Headlining the event, former lightweight champion Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira proved once again why he remains one of the most dangerous men in the sport. Facing top contender Mateusz Gamrot, Oliveira was sharp from the start, he locked in a tight rear-naked choke to seal another submission victory in front of his home fans.
The win not only earned Oliveira an extra $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, but also extended his incredible list of records, most submissions in UFC history (17), most finishes (21), and most Performance of the Night bonuses (14).
Next on the list of bonus winners was Brazilian jiu-jitsu royalty Bia Mesquita who lived up to her “GOAT” reputation, making her UFC debut one to remember. Taking on Irina Alekseeva, Mesquita displayed flawless grappling control before sinking in a submission halfway through the second round. The victory earned her a well-deserved $50,000 bonus and showcased why she’s one of the most decorated women in jiu-jitsu history.
Heavyweight powerhouse Vitor Petrino gave fans something to talk about with a brutal knockout of Thomas Petersen. After a competitive opening, Petrino landed a monster punch that sent Petersen crashing face-first to the mat The stunning third-round KO earned him an extra $50,000 Performance of the Night check.
In another explosive moment on the prelims, Julia Polastri overcame a slow start against veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz to dominate the third round. After setting up her shots patiently, she landed a clean head kick that led to a flurry of strikes, forcing the stoppage. Polastri pocketed an additional $50,000 bonus for her third-round TKO win.
