The first UFC "Superfight" of 2013 is now in the books, as MMA fans at the Mandalay Bay and around the world were treated to a great night of fights and UFC 156 results.
In the main event of the evening, featherweight champion Jose Aldo remained unbeaten in the Octagon, defeating former lightweight title-holder Frankie Edgar by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
"The plan was to kick him and keep him from moving," Aldo said. "I started to see he was checking my kicks and going for the takedown when I kicked, so I used my hands a little bit more."
Oddly enough, during the UFC 156 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White received a message from former WEC champion, Anthony Pettis, who was in attendance. In his text, "Showtime" requested an immediate title-shot against Aldo at 145.
"I want to go to featherweight to fight Jose Aldo," Pettis wrote in his text, to which the outspoken prez said, "I love it, I love it!"
For what it’s worth, Aldo didn't seem to dislike the idea of fighting Pettis either: "It’s an interesting fight. I want to fight the best fighters in the world."
In the UFC 156 co-main event, the dream-matchup between Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva was abruptly put to rest, as Rogerio "Minotouro" Nogueira spoiled the UFC’s plans with a unanimous decision victory over "Suga."
In the featured heavyweight bout of the night, two former training partners turned foes went head-to-head, as Alistair Overeem and Antonio Silva settled their differences.
Earning a Knockout of the Night bonus, "Bigfoot" made "The Reem" pay for his unkind words by putting the Dutchman to sleep in dramatic fashion.
"When he's the one punching, he's a lion, but when he's taking the punches, he's a [kitten]," Silva said. "Yeah, now he wants to be my friend."
It's going to be interesting to see if the Brazilian's impressive performance will earn him a title shot against reigning heavyweight king, Cain Velasquez.
"[Silva] and Cain Velasquez had just fought recently, but I'm telling you, the way he looked in this fight and what he did to Alistair, maybe we do the [Velasquez-Silva] fight again," White said.
At the end of the night, it proved to be yet another successful showing for the UFC, the fighters and most importantly the fans. According to the UFC 156 disclosed fighter payroll, the MMA giant paid out a total of $1,755,714.29.
UFC 156 results and fighter salaries go as follows:
- Jose Aldo: $240,000 (includes $120,000 win bonus) def. Frankie Edgar: $120,000
- Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: $174,000 (includes $67,000 win bonus) def. Rashad Evans: $300,000
- Antonio Silva: $70,000 (no win bonus) def. Alistair Overeem: $285,714.29
- Demian Maia: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus) def. Jon Fitch: $66,000
- Joseph Benavidez: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Ian McCall: $9,000
- Evan Dunham: $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus) def. Gleison Tibau: $33,000
- Tyron Woodley: $87,000 (includes $43,500 win bonus) def. Jay Hieron: $12,000
- Bobby Green: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Jacob Volkmann: $22,000
- Isaac Vallie-Flagg: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Yves Edwards: $21,000
- Dustin Kimura: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Chico Camus: $8,000
- Francisco Rivera: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Edwin Figueroa: $10,000
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