UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City was an absolute banger last Saturday, dropping a serious pile of cash on some insane performances. Four fighters walked out with an extra $100,000 for their efforts, proving that when you show up and show out, the UFC pays. A couple more even snagged $25,000 finish bonuses! But the real drama, and a huge chunk of that bonus money, went straight to the main event where Dricus Du Plessis delivered a masterclass, leaving former welterweight king Kamaru Usman reeling.
Du Plessis Schools Usman, Usman Gets Salty
Okay, seriously, Dricus Du Plessis just put on a masterful performance against Kamaru Usman, earning a unanimous decision that was totally deserved. We’re talking 24-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC for Du Plessis, absolutely dominating a guy who used to run the welterweight division. Usman, with his 21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC record, made his return to middleweight and honestly, it ended in total failure. Du Plessis consistently made Usman look slow, which is wild to say about “The Nigerian Nightmare”! Even the broadcast team, starting in the third round, was lauding DDP for his grit as he kept pouring it on.
The scorecards tell the whole story, including one absolutely brutal 50-45. And guess what? Usman took “particular exception” with that score during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. Usman tried to say he didn’t want to be a sore loser, then immediately listed like six reasons why he was *exactly that*. Cormier looked visibly unsure if he should feel sorry for him or just be completely embarrassed by Usman’s claim that it was somehow a competitive fight. It was a tough look, man, a really tough look. Both guys still snagged $100,000 for Fight of the Night, but only one walked out with his head held high.
Unforgettable Performances and Rising Stars
Beyond the main event fireworks, we saw some incredible finishes that scream “future contenders.” Felipe Franco, after a rough heavyweight debut loss, came back at 205 pounds and absolutely torched Levi Rodrigues for his first UFC win. Franco, now 11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC, mounted Rodrigues in the second round and just pounded him out for a TKO finish. That’s a performance to remember, earning him a cool $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus!
Then there’s Tommy McMillen, who truly looked like a star has been born. This dude (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) set a new promotional record for significant strikes in a three-round featherweight fight. Let that sink in for a second! He took a few licks from Alberto Montes, sure, but McMillen put him away with about 90 seconds left after a torrid of standup punishment. Another $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus heading his way!
Quick Finishes, Extra Cash
And let’s not forget the $25,000 finish bonuses that prove you don’t need to go three rounds to make an impact. R.J. Harris (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had a stellar debut at heavyweight, drilling Alvin Hines with a first-round uppercut that took him clean off his feet. Harris was on him in a flash, and a few more punches later, it was stopped in a lightning-quick 100 seconds. Talk about making a statement!
Then Dione Barbosa (10-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) made things look ridiculously easy against UFC newcomer Alice Melisano. Barbosa, who was the second biggest betting favorite on the card at 7-1, knew her path to victory was on the ground. She took Melisano down right away, worked her magic, and locked in a rear-naked choke finish in the opening round.
These fights weren’t just wins; they were statements. From the main event drama to those insane finishes, Oklahoma City showed us exactly who’s ready to explode in the UFC. What’s next for Du Plessis after schooling a former champ, and where do these other bonus winners go from here? We’re already hyped to see who steps up next!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply