UFC 316 wasn’t short on fireworks—and four fighters walked away with some extra cash to prove it.
New bantamweight queen Kayla Harrison and reigning men’s champ Merab Dvalishvili both secured dominant wins in their title bouts on Saturday night, and the UFC rewarded them with $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses.
In the main event, Dvalishvili once again proved he has Sean O’Malley’s number. After grinding him down with relentless wrestling, Merab locked in a slick submission to cap off his second win over the former champ. It was a statement win—and a reminder that Merab’s grip on the division isn’t loosening anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Kayla Harrison showed the world exactly why the UFC signed her. In her long-awaited clash with Julianna Peña, Harrison imposed her will from the opening bell, dominating the former champ and walking out of the Octagon with the women’s bantamweight belt around her waist—and a bonus in her pocket.
Interestingly, UFC 316 didn’t award a Fight of the Night bonus. Instead, two more Performance of the Night checks went out: one to Kevin Holland, and another to newcomer Joo Sang Yoo.
Holland, who’s made a name for himself with both his mouth and his highlight-reel finishes, opened the main card by submitting Vicente Luque with style. This marks Holland’s ninth Performance of the Night bonus—yep, ninth. The man knows how to show up and show out.
Then there’s Joo Sang Yoo. In his UFC debut, the South Korean prospect didn’t even need a full exchange to make a name for himself. One punch, one knockout, and a flawless 9-0 record. It was as clean a debut as you’ll ever see—and the UFC took notice with a $50K bonus.
