Following Saturday’s UFC Long Island event at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, UFC officials announced the recipients of the performance-based bonuses. Eight fighters took home an extra $50,000.
UFC Long Island Bonus Earners
- Fight Of The Night: Matt Schnell vs Sumudaerji
- Performance Of The Night: Amanda Lemos
- Performance Of The Night: Li Jingliang
- Performance Of The Night: Punahele Soriano
- Performance Of The Night: Ricky Simon
- Performance Of The Night: Bill Algeo
- Performance Of The Night: Dustin Jacoby
Fight Of The Night: Matt Schnell vs Sumudaerji
Matt Schnell vs Sumdaerji is one of those fights we’ll be talking about for a long, long time. Both flyweights went right to it, with both fighters finding success on the feet and on the canvas. But it was the second round where things went from intense to insane.
Sumaderji started connecting with massive power shots in the center of the Octagon, including elbows in the clinch that made Schnell lose the stability in his legs on more than one occasion. Despite the damage Schnell never backed down, as a matter of fact he chose to walk through Sumaderji’s punches and elbows until was able to connect with his own haymakers.
He then secured a well-timed takedown and immediately mounted and started pouring on strikes. This forced Sumudaerji to scramble and end up in top position, where Schnell tossed up a triangle choke that would put Sumudaerji out.
It was beyond wild, and it was all heart from both fighters ‘til the end. What a scrap.
Performance Of The Night: Amanda Lemos
A statement performance was exactly what strawweight contender Amanda Lemos needed and it’s exactly what she accomplished against Michelle Waterson-Gomez at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs Rodriguez.
Lemos settled in nicely against Waterson-Gomez, finding her range and looking dangerous on the feet in the first round. In the second round she took advantage of a Waterson-Gomez take down and secured a deep guillotine that would force Waterson-Gomez to tap. It was a brilliant submission and showed just how well-rounded and talented Lemos is.
Performance Of The Night: Li Jingliang
Li Jingliang found a home for his right hand and landed back in the win column by knocking out Muslim Salikhov. It was a competitive bout for the welterweights until Li broke through connecting on a perfect shot that put Salikhov off-balance. Li pressued Salikhov but took his time setting up the knockout shot that dropped Salikhov for good.
With the performance, “The Leech” reminded the world once again why he’s a fan favorite.
Yair Rodriguez defeats Brian Ortega after Ortega dislocates shoulder
Performance Of The Night: Punahele Soriano
When fans see Punahele Soriano on a card, they should just expect a show.
Soriano and Dalcha Lungiambula brought it in the first frame of their middleweight showdown. Early in the second round Soriano threw a massive left hand that made Lungiambula crumble. He followed it up with a few extra strikes and referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in.
After two losses in a row it was the perfect showing for Soriano, who hopes to get back in the Octagon before 2022 comes to an end.
Performance of the Night: Ricky Simon
Ricky Simon was an underdog entering his UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs Rodriguez bout with rising undefeated prospect Jack Shore. That didn’t sit well with him, so he made sure to show why people need to be putting some more respect on his name.
Simon used his grappling to set up some power strikes that would go on to hurt Shore in the second round. Simon pounced, quickly sinking in an arm triangle choke that forced Shore to accept his first defeat.
It was a statement performance for Simon, who is more than deserving of a big fight in the talented bantamweight division.
Performance of the Night: Bill Algeo
Two weeks ago Bill Algeo had to deal with an opponent change after Bill Quarantillo was forced out of their match-up due to injury. That didn’t stop Algeo from putting on an impressive performance with late replacement Herbert Burns.
Algeo survived a quick takedown and submission attempt from Burns in the first round but then flipped the script. Algeo dominated Burns for the remainder of the round, connecting with big ground and pound shots. At the end of the round Burns barely was able to get up and make it back to his corner.
To start the second Algeo put his foot on the gas and pressured Burns back down to the canvas and after some more landed strikes, Burns was no able to return to his feet. It was a strange finish to the fight but it didn’t take away anything from Algeo, who has made a real name for himself in the featherweight division.
Performance of the Night: Dustin Jacoby
Don’t look now, but Dustin Jacoby’s unbeaten streak sits at seven. The UFC light heavyweight has walked through adversity on his way to a top 15 ranking and establishing himself as a real player at 205lbs.
Jacoby’s blistering KO of Da Un Jung was an impressive one and sets him up perfectly for a big fight the next time we see him walk to the Octagon.
Eight fighters take home bonuses for UFC Long Island performances
