UFC 329 Bonus Awards Highlight Royval, Pimblett, and Green

The Las Vegas card at T‑Mobile Arena saw the UFC hand out four primary bonuses after Saturday’s event, capping off a night that featured high‑stakes matchups from flyweight to light heavyweight. In addition to the marquee honors, eight fighters walked away with $25,000 finish bonuses for standout knockouts and submissions. The payouts underscore the volatility of the UFC roster and reward fighters who deliver memorable finishes on the biggest stage.

Fight of the Night Goes to Royval and Kavanagh

Brandon Royval (18‑9‑0 MMA, 8‑5‑0 UFC) and Loner Kavanagh (10‑2‑0 MMA, 3‑2‑0 UFC) delivered what many analysts called one of the best flyweight contests in recent memory. After a bruising first two rounds that left both combatants bloodied, Royval seized control with a body triangle that set up a rear‑naked choke, forcing Kavanagh to tap in the third round. The $100,000 payout highlights how a grueling battle can still be recognized even without a knockout.

Paddy Pimblett Claims Performance of the Night

Paddy Pimblett (24‑4‑0 MMA, 8‑1‑0 UFC) turned heads in the co‑main event by submitting Benoit Saint Denis (17‑4‑0 MMA, 9‑4‑0 UFC) with a D’Arce choke less than a minute into their lightweight showdown. Pimblett, who had predicted Saint Denis would attempt a clinch only to be rendered unconscious, earned a $100,000 bonus for the swift and impressive victory. The win not only boosted his standing in the division but also showcased his growing reputation as a deadly submission artist.

King Green’s Late‑Round Comeback Wins Second Performance Honor

King Green (36‑17‑1 MMA, 17‑12‑1 UFC) staged a dramatic comeback against Terrance McKinney (18‑9‑0 MMA, 8‑6‑0 UFC) that will be remembered for its razor‑thin timing. After absorbing heavy damage in the opening round, Green landed a series of body punches in the final seconds, hurting McKinney and finishing him with just one tick remaining on the clock. The $100,000 reward caps off a memorable night for the veteran, who turned a potentially lost bout into a dramatic finish.

Eight Finish Bonuses Handed Out at UFC 329

A total of eight fighters received $25,000 finish bonuses for standout knockouts and submissions across the card. Robert Whittaker (27‑9‑0 MMA, 18‑7‑0 UFC) dazzled at light heavyweight, snapping Nikita Krylov’s lid with a decisive head kick in the third round. Gable Steveson (4‑0‑0 MMA, 1‑0‑0 UFC), a theoretical 30‑1 favorite, overwhelmed Elisha Ellison for a first‑round TKO on his promotional debut.

Adrian Yanez (18‑6‑1 MMA, 7‑3‑1 UFC) secured his biggest career win by stopping former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt via TKO in the opening round. Luke Riley (14‑0‑0 MMA, 3‑0‑0 UFC) preserved his undefeated record with a quick TKO1, though the early stoppage drew some scrutiny. Damian Pinas (10‑1‑0 MMA, 2‑0‑0 UFC) delivered a one‑punch finish that left Cesar Almeida (7‑3‑0 MMA, 3‑3‑0 UFC) on the canvas, earning a mercy stoppage.

Ryan Gandra (10‑1‑0 MMA, 2‑0‑0 UFC) demonstrated surgical striking, landing a perfect left hook that sent Zach Reese (10‑4‑0 MMA, 4‑4‑0 UFC) crashing to the canvas. Alessandro Costa (17‑5‑0 MMA, 5‑3‑0 UFC) notched his first UFC submission, choking out Cody Durden (18‑11‑1 MMA, 7‑9‑1 UFC) with a rear‑naked choke that produced a dramatic blood spray as the fight ended. Each of these finishers walked away with a $25,000 bonus, cementing their performances in UFC history.

The array of bonuses at UFC 329 highlights the league’s commitment to rewarding both technical mastery and breathtaking finishes. As fighters continue to push the limits of combat sports, these payouts set a benchmark for future cards and reinforce the pursuit of excellence that drives the UFC forward.