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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
A slow-starting UFC on Fox 16 event in Chicago didn't have much in the way of standout fights or performances until the final series of bouts, so it's no surprise that $50,000 bonuses went only to fighters in the top five fights.
In the clear choice for "Performance of the Night," UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw affirmed his spot atop the 135 lb. field, taking out Renan Barao a second time in the night's main event. Dillashaw looked even better than in the first fight, picking Barao apart for three rounds before finishing him off in the fourth with a barrage of strikes against the cage.
"Filthy" Tom Lawlor received the other "Performance of the Night" bonus in his win over Gian Villante to close out the prelims. It was his first fight in quite some time, and his first fight at light heavyweight since the finale event for The Ultimate Fighter 8 in his UFC debut.
The final two bonuses went to lightweights Edson Barboza and Paul Felder, who finally got the crowd going after a slow undercard to that point. Both fighters were landing shots consistently on one another, with Barboza getting the better of most exchanges with his kicking game, which put a bright red hue across much of Felder's body during the 15-minute bout. Barboza wound up taking the decision in a fight which may have elevated both fighters.
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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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