UFC 252: Fight Night Bonuses

There were no fans in Las Vegas on August 15 for UFC 252. As a result, there was no gate for the event inside the UFC APEX Center.

There was one title fight on the card, with a the UFC Heavyweight Champion coming out on top. Neither fighter would take home a bonus, however.

“Fight of the Night” would end up going to the first fight of the evening. Taking place on the UFC prelims on Fight Pass, Kai Kamaka III defeated Tony Kelley via unanimous decision. It was a back and forth affair that that saw Kamaka (8-2) win his UFC debut. He is now on a six-fight win streak. Kelley (5-2) was also making his UFC debut. He is now 2-2 in his last four fights.

Part of the “Performance of the Night” bonus went to Virna Jandiroba. In her third UFC fight, the former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion beat Felice Herrig via submission. Only needing the first round to do so, she would beat someone in Herrig who has been in the top fifteen of the UFC’s strawweight rankings.

SPECTACULAR! 🌟

🔒 @VirnaJandiroba locks up the RD 1 armbar.

The #UFC252 prelims continue on @ESPN. pic.twitter.com/mk8dQvE6dz

— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2020

The other bonus went Daniel Pineda. The former PFL competitor was supposed to fight in the finals of the 2019 PFL featherweight tournament before testing positive for a banned substance. Pineda (27-13, 2 NC) would beat Herbert Burns via TKO after controlling all aspects of the ground game. It was his first fight with the UFC since 2014.