UFC on ESPN 5 bonuses: Three of four awards go to prelim fighters

Nasrat Haqparast, Matt Schnell, Antonina Shevchenko and Lucie Pudilova each came away with $50,000 bonuses following Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 5 event in Newark, N.J.

Haqparast and Schnell each were awarded “Performance of the Night,” while Shevchenko vs. Pudilova earned “Fight of the Night” honors.

Shevchenko (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Pudilova (8-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) traded shots and engaged in exciting grappling transitions when the bout hit the ground. In the first round, Pudilova displayed tremendous toughness when she worked her way out of a deeply cranked Shevchenko armbar. Ultimately, Shevchenko would catch Pudilova in a submission – a guillotine choke in Round 2 – but both women cashed an extra check for their efforts.

In violent fashion Haqparast (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) defeated Joaquim Silva (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) via a vicious Round 2 knockout. After Haqparast connected with a violent overhand left that floored Silva, the German fighter finished his Brazilian opponent with punches on the ground and walking away as the only main card fighter to score a bonus.

Schnell (14-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) picked up his first post-fight bonus Saturday in Newark. In his return to 125 pounds, Schnell took out opponent Jordan Espinosa (14-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in swift fashion. Just 83 seconds into their preliminary clash, Schnell submitted Espinosa via triangle choke, netting an extra check in the process.