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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The UFC's return to Minneapolis on Friday night brought an action-packed card, with no shortage of options for the typical fight night bonus checks that were to be doled out. The event drew an announced attendance of 7,000 to the Target Center, with a gate of $358,000, but four fighters still earned $40,000 each for their efforts on the card.
The event's "Fight of the Night" went to the featherweight bout between Bart Palaszewski and Diego Nunes. The bout saw Nunes control almost all of the action through the first two frames, earning knockdowns and stunning Palaszewski several times. In the third, Palaszewski attempted to mount a comeback, at one time briefly staggering Nunes, but he was knocked down once more before the round ended and lost a clear decision.
"Knockout of the Night" could have gone to any number of fighters, but Michael Johnson took the nod for his come from behind win over Danny Castillo. After being knocked down and nearly choked out in the first round, Johnson came out in the second with a lot more aggression. Then, as Castillo attempted to charge, Johnson landed a slick little short left to the jaw that dropped him. He followed with several strikes on the ground to put Castillo out.
"Submission of the Night" didn't have as many options, but it was looking early on like Jacob Volkmann's dominant performance against Shane Roller - capped off with a rear naked choke/facelock hold for the tap - would be the front runner. Then Justin Edwards climbed up on Josh Neer as Neer attempted a takedown, locked on a tight arm-in guillotine, and choked Neer out cold. Edwards ultimately earned the bonus money, but Volkmann earned himself a better matchup in the division for his next fight out.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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