UFC on Fox 3 Fighter Bonuses: Nate Diaz Wins Title Shot and $65,000

The fighters at UFC on Fox 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J., surely made the UFC brass’ job of handing out post-fight awards and bonuses fun, but difficult on Saturday night.

There were several exciting battles, and numerous finishes to choose from, but in the end, UFC president Dana White and staff nailed it down, issuing $65,000 fighter bonuses to four fighters.

Not only did Nate Diaz secure a title shot with his guillotine choke finish of Jim Miller, he also captured the UFC on Fox 3 Submission of the Night honors. The finish was the first time in Miller’s career that anyone was able to submit him.

Although there were a couple fights to choose from, it was no surprise that Knockout of the Night honors went to one of the big men. Lavar Johnson, despite taking some heavy hits from Pat Barry, turned the tide late in the fight, opening up a relentless onslaught of punches that finished Barry, and secured a $65,000 bonus.

The flyweight division had been one of the most highly anticipated additions to the UFC’s weight classes in years, and Saturday night’s fights proved why, particularly the fight between Louis Gaudinot and John Lineker.

Gaudinot and Lineker went head-on at each other, non-stop for 9:54, until Gaudinot finally secured a fight-ending guillotine choke.

The UFC awarded a total of $260,000 in official post-fight bonuses.

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