UFC Vegas 31 seemed lacking on paper, but it delivered enough that the UFC awarded extra bonus money. See who won those bonuses and what the rest of the UFC world had to say about the main event and the co-main event below.
UFC Vegas 31 Bonuses
On a main card packed with finished the UFC decided to splash some extra bonus money around and handed out four performance of the night bonuses, yet still managed to possibly miss the most impressive performance put on tonight.
First, the fight of the night went to Billy Quarantillo vs. Gabriel Benitez, which was highly deserved as this was a war, and if you missed it you should check it out.
We couldn't take our eyes off this one --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- @Moggly_Benitez and @BillyQMMA take home the FOTN honors.
[ #UFCVegas31 B2YB: @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/jiy3Z28hDX
The performance bonuses were handed out to Rodolfo Veira and Miesha Tate for their rear-naked chokes, Mateusz Gamrot for his very impressive Kimura of Jeremy Stephens, and to heavyweight opener Rodrigo Nascimento for his comeback TKO of Alan Baudot. Not that these were bad performances, but it seems rather baffling that Amanda Lemos' 35 second destruction of Montserrat Ruiz didn't earn her some extra money as well.
Too good just to name 2️⃣
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- Here are the 4️⃣ fighters taking home some extra cash! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/jjQPx03BPU
Pros React To Islam Makhachev's Submission Victory
Fellow UFC fighters including bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, and prospective future opponent Dan Hooker weighed in on Islam Makhachev's professional victory over Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. See what they had to say below.
Moises needs something big. Makhachev running away with this very decisively. I did like that heel hook attempt from Moises tho but Islam is still strong and the fresher fighter. #UFCVegas31
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 18, 2021
Why the sudden change -- pic.twitter.com/KBegWh3aLh
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) July 18, 2021
Islam is so good everywhere
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
Welcome to the Islam era
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
Paul’s the man -- great post fight interview by Islam
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
High level grappling main event
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) July 18, 2021
Wow!! That finish makes a statement! #UFCVegas31
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 18, 2021
Islam!!!! -------------------- Amazing! #UFCVegas31
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) July 18, 2021
Beautiful performance. Congrats to Islam!! #UFCVegas31
— The Golden Boy (@edmenshahbazyan) July 18, 2021
The heel hook looked tight #ufc
— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) July 18, 2021
Textbook RNC ---- #UFCVegas31
— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) July 18, 2021
Islam is a monster -- #UFCVegas31
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) July 18, 2021
Pros React to Miesha Tate's Return To The Octagon
Miesha Tate's comeback fight got many fellow UFC fighters tweeting about it, including heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou. See what he and everyone else said below.
Wow!!! Mama Tate is back in a strong way. --
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 18, 2021
Congratulations @MieshaTate ----#UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/j11bA7Anom
Retirement fight, husband and son in her corner, fighting Meisha Tate in her come back. No pressure… #UFCVegas31
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 18, 2021
Congrats @MieshaTate on a great comeback debut and congrats to @BelizeanBruiser on a great career! #UFCVegas31
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 18, 2021
I wonder if ronda is watching
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
Imagine Tate gets on the mic and goes “where ronda fine a$$ at “
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
THATS MY GIRL!!!!!! Let’s go @MieshaTate!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes yes YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!! #UFCVegas31
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 18, 2021
Good job @MieshaTate #UFCVegas31
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) July 18, 2021
Also congrats to Marion on retirement! What a beast going this long #UFCVegas31
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) July 18, 2021
Hey @MieshaTate if you want to fight again in November, I’m your huckleberry!
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) July 18, 2021
It would be an HONOUR to compete against you!
Congrats on your win tonight! @ufc
Post-Fight Press Conference
Check out the entire post-fight press conference below.
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