UFC Vegas 99 bonuses and aftermath: Main event winner and two others bag $50K, veteran retires, Rob Font's record, and more
The UFC Vegas 99 event witnessed multiple exciting matchups with a few dominant performances. Speaking of which, the headlining matchup's victor and two other fighters each took home $50k in post-fight bonuses for their efforts. Additionally, it featured a veteran fighter's retirement and other notable happenings as well.
The event was hosted at the UFC's Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., on Oct. 19, 2024. The middleweight bout between Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira, which headlined the card, saw Hernandez secure a spectacular fifth-round TKO victory against Pereira. Hernandez earned a $50k POTN (Performance of the Night) bonus for the same.
Additionally, Darren Elkins and Daniel Pineda clashed in a grueling featherweight fight that went the three-round distance, with Elkins ultimately notching the victory via unanimous decision.
As reported by Jed I. Goodman, the matchup earned Elkins and Pineda $50k respectively as a FOTN (Fight of the Night) bonus. Moreover, the veteran Pineda laid down his gloves inside the octagon and signaled that he was retiring from the sport of MMA. Also, it marked Elkins' 19th UFC victory. Just 12 fighters have more UFC wins than 'The Damage.'
Speaking to Paul Felder during the post-fight octagon interview segment, the 39-year-old Pineda stated:
"Guys, that was my last one, man. You know, we're some dogs in here. And it's my third one straight. F**k it, dude. I'm done. I'm done, guys. Thank you, Elkins, for this bad-a** fight."
Check out Pineda's comments below:
UFC Vegas 99 aftermath: Charles Johnson's WWE reference, Rob Font adds to accomplishments
Charles Johnson defeated Su Mudaerji via unanimous decision in their flyweight bout on the UFC Vegas 99 event's main card portion. During his post-fight octagon interview with Paul Felder, Johnson appeared to channel his inner Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and piqued fan interest.
Akin to a prank that 'The Rock' has often played against other on-screen characters in the WWE, Johnson seemingly asked Felder what he thinks about the fight, only to lightheartedly interrupt him midway by stating "it doesn't matter" what he thinks:
"Hey, Paul, what did you think about that? It doesn't matter what you think, baby! Let's go!"
Watch Johnson's WWE-esque promo segment and post-fight octagon interview below (0:29):
The co-headlining match of UFC Vegas 99 was a bantamweight bout between Rob Font and Kyler Phillips, in which Font emerged victorious via unanimous decision. The victory helped Font take his overall wins in the UFC bantamweight division to 11, among the highest in the division's history, tying with the legendary Urijah Faber.
The fighters ahead of him in that regard are Raphael Assuncao (12), Marlon Vera (13), T.J. Dillashaw (13), and Aljamain Sterling (14).
Furthermore, In his short-notice UFC main roster debut at UFC Vegas 99, former DWCS (Dana White's Contender's Series) competitor Cameron Smotherman defeated Jake Hadley via unanimous decision in their bantamweight bout. Smotherman thereby became the 258th DWCS veteran to notch a win in the UFC.