UFC on FOX 17 bonuses: Nate Diaz, Michael Johnson cash in for entertaining scrap

Michael Johnson and Nate Diaz

ORLANDO, Fla. – Rafael dos Anjos, Vicente Luque, Nate Diaz and Michael Johnson each earned $50,000 fight-night bonuses at today’s UFC on FOX 17 event.

Dos Anjos and Luque picked up “Performance of the Night” awards, and Diaz and Johnson took home “Fight of the Night” honors.

UFC exec Dave Sholler announced the winners at the post-fight press conference, which MMAjunkie attended.

UFC on FOX 17 took place at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. The main card aired on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Dos Anjos successfully defended the UFC lightweight title for the first time, demolishing top contender Donald Cerrone in just 66 seconds. After the impressive performance, dos Anjos guaranteed that he is ready to hold the belt for quite some time and recommended UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor remain at 145 pounds.

Meanwhile, Luque competed in just the second fight of the night, but his impressive submission win, tapping out Hayder Hassan with an anaconda choke in the opening round, was good enough to cash in on a bonus check.

Diaz and Johnson were certainly the pre-fight favorites for “Fight of the Night” honors, and the two lightweights lived up to the hype, standing and trading for three full rounds. Diaz got the best of the exchanges, and he was awarded a unanimous decision victory for his efforts, though both men took home an extra $50,000.

For more on UFC on FOX 17, check out the UFC Events section of the site.