UFC Vegas 97 bonuses and aftermath: Steve Garcia gets $50K despite alleged illegal shot, veteran retires, Jessica Andrade makes record, and more
The UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosted another thrilling night of MMA action on Saturday, Sept. 7, as UFC Vegas 97 unfolded. In the main event of the night, Sean Brady secured a unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns. While the fight lacked high-octane action, Brady's effective striking and control throughout the contest earned him the win.
The event also saw several impressive finishes and notable moments. Nathan Fletcher made a successful UFC debut, defeating Zygimantas Ramaska by submission. Jaqueline Amorim scored a controversial armbar submission win over Vanessa Demopoulos. Isaac Dulgarian dominated Brendon Marotte to secure a second-round arm triangle choke victory.
The UFC awarded post-fight bonuses to the following fighters:
Fight of the Night: Jessica Andrade vs. Natalia Silva
The women's flyweight bout was a thrilling back-and-forth affair that showcased the skill and determination of both fighters. Andrade, a former strawweight champion, earned her 11th post-fight bonus, making her the female fighter with the most bonuses in UFC history. Silva extended her winning streak to nine fights with this victory.
Performance of the Night: Cody Durden
Cody Durden’s win over Matt Schnell was the highlight of the event. He agreed to fight Schnell just four days before the event and dominated him from start to finish.
It was especially impressive considering how short the time frame was. Schnell left his gloves right in the middle of the octagon after the defeat. The broadcast team later confirmed the 34-year-old’s retirement.
Performance of the Night: Steve Garcia
Garcia's first-round knockout victory over Kyle Nelson was a brutal display of power and technique. However, the fight was marred by controversy as Garcia landed several elbows to the back of Nelson's head, which could have been considered illegal.
Despite the potential infraction, Garcia was awarded the Performance of the Night bonus.
UFC Vegas 97: What was the controversy surrounding Jaqueline Amorim?
Jaqueline Amorim secured a dominant victory over Vanessa Demopoulos at UFC Vegas 97, submitting her opponent with an armbar in the first round. However, the fight was marred by controversy as Demopoulos alleged that Amorim had grabbed her glove before locking up the armbar.
Despite Demopoulos' protests, the referee ruled in favor of Amorim, awarding her the victory. The incident sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some questioning the legitimacy of the finish. While the camera angle during the broadcast was inconclusive, Demopoulos' claims raised concerns about the fairness of the fight.