UFC 244 bonuses: Kevin Lee, Corey Anderson get performance nods for violent finishes

Corey Andersonwanted to make a statement to a light heavyweight division which hasn’t show him much respect. Kevin Lee wanted to make a statement that he’s back in the lightweight division and still very much a threat.

Mission accomplished for both Saturday night at UFC 244.

Anderson (13-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) had a vicious first-round stoppage of Johnny Walker, the bout waved off at 2:07 of the opening round with Walker out on his feet. Lee (17-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) knocked previously undefeated Gregor Gillespie out cold with a wicked head kick at 2:47 of round one.

And both will leave New York’s Madison Square Garden an extra $50,000 richer for their efforts, as the duo earned “Performance of the Night” bonuses.

There was also, as is custom, also a “Fight of the Night” award. This one went to Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC) rallied from a slow first round to turn it on over the second and third, and Luque (17-7-1 MMA, 10-3 UFC) displayed heart in going the distance under “Wonderboy’s” relentless attack. Both competitors take home $50,000.

Anderson earned his second bonus in his UFC career, Lee his third, Thompson and Luque their fifth apiece.

UFC 244 took place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN2/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

There was an announced sellout crowd of 20,143 at MSG, paying a gate of $6,575,996.19.