5 active UFC fighters with the most Performance of the Night bonuses
Whenever the UFC produces an event, one major question in the aftermath surrounds which fighters are most likely to claim the promotion’s performance bonuses, usually worth a cool $50k.
Naturally, the more exciting fighters in the UFC are always more likely to win the promotion’s post-event performance bonuses. Over the years, certain fighters have claimed more than their fair share.
Jun28.2014
Charles Oliveira earns performance of the night honors,
when he finishes Hatsu Hioki with an anaconda choke https://t.co/xaYpg6F6Zt
Given that the promotion hands out performance awards for spectacular knockouts, submissions, and overall showings inside the octagon, literally any fighter on a card stands a chance of winning them. Any fighters landing on an event with the following athletes will likely end up disappointed.
Here are five active UFC fighters who have won the most performance bonuses.
#5. Francis Ngannou – UFC heavyweight champion (6 performance bonuses)
Given that he’s been responsible for some of the most brutal knockouts in the history of the UFC, it should hardly come as a surprise to learn that reigning heavyweight kingpin Francis Ngannou has claimed five performance bonuses over the years.
If anything, in fact, it should come as a surprise that ‘The Predator’ hasn’t earned more bonuses for his work inside the octagon, given that no fewer than nine of his opponents have been left unconscious at his hands.
Strangely enough, Ngannou’s first performance bonus didn’t actually come from a knockout finish. Instead, it came from his brutal kimura submission of Anthony Hamilton in December 2016, the only tapout on the ledger of ‘The Predator’ to date.
Since then, of course, Ngannou has won a further four performance bonuses, all for his knockouts, including one for the stoppage of Stipe Miocic that won him heavyweight gold in 2021.
FRANCIS NGANNOU REALLY KNOCKED OUT STIPE MIOCIC 🤯 #UFC260 @espnmma https://t.co/IXMTQBIIvu
Given the current question marks over Ngannou’s future with the promotion, it’s probably fair to assume there may not be any more bonuses coming his way in the near future.
However, if he does resolve his current contract dispute and gets back to knocking opponents out, that may change and he may well climb higher on this list.