Yahoo Sports Francis Ngannou's Slick Submission Leads UFC Albany Fighter Bonuses
The Ultimate Fighting Championship made a quick return to New York on Friday, just one month after launching in the state with a blockbuster UFC 205 card in New York City.
The return took place at Times Union Center in Albany, the state's capitol, but to a much smaller crowd and no title fights on tap. UFC 205 featured three title fights, including Conor McGregor winning to become the first fighter to hold UFC championships in two weight classes simultaneously.
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UFC Fight Night 102 may not have featured the star power of UFC 205, but several fighters still delivered big performances, and they were rewarded with $50,000 post-fight bonuses.
The Fight of the Night honors went to Gian Villante and Saparbeg Safarov, who opened the main card on UFC Fight Pass.
Each man had his moments in the first round, but neither could put the fight away there. Villante took control and finished the fight just after the midway point of the second stanza. Only one man got the win, but both took home bonus checks.
The Performance of the Night honors went to Francis Ngannou and Gerald Meerschaert.
Ngannou put on a stellar performance in the co-main event, executing a slick Kimura submission on Anthony Hamilton less than two minutes into their fight.
Meerschaert submitted Joe Gigliotti with an anaconda choke in the final minute of the first round in their preliminary card bout.
UFC Fight Night 102: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov Fighter Bonuses
Fight of the Night: Gian Villante vs. Saparbeg Safarov
Performance of the Night: Francis Ngannou
Performance of the Night: Gerald Meerschaert
(Photo courtesy of Francis Ngannou)
