UFC Denver saw thrilling action with Jean Silva, Drew Dober, Charles Johnson, and Montel Jackson each earning $50,000 bonuses for their standout performances, including Silva and Dober’s intense Fight of the Night and Johnson’s comeback and Jackson’s swift knockout securing Performance of the Night honors.
UFC Denver fans weren’t left disappointed. The all-out action was reflected in Saturday’s bonus winners.
Four fighters are leaving Ball Arena with an extra $50,000 each. Fight of the Night winners Jean Silva and Drew Dober, and Performance of the Night winners Charles Johnson and Montel Jackson.
Silva and Dober winning Fight of the Night? No surprise there. Their bloody battle ended early in Round 3 after doctors ruled that Dober couldn’t continue due to a gnarly cut over his eye from a Silva elbow. Before the stoppage, they hit each other with several dynamic strikes that would’ve finished other opponents on the spot.
This is Silva’s first Fight Night bonus. He likely cost himself one two weeks ago when he came in heavy for a featherweight contest with Charles Jourdain. Silva knocked Jourdain out spectacularly but missed out on a bonus due to missing weight. This time, he was rewarded for his quick turnaround and stellar performance.
Dober is no stranger to bonus checks. He captures his fourth Fight of the Night and eighth fight night award overall.
Johnson and Jackson both received Performance of the Night for very different reasons. Johnson scored a comeback win late, while Jackson ended his fight early.
Against top prospect Joshua Van, Johnson needed a late finish after being out-struck for two rounds. He found it in the final frame, catching Van with an uppercut just 20 seconds into Round 3. Johnson also earned a Fight of the Night bonus this past February when he upset the previously unbeaten Azat Maksum.
Jackson lived up to his nickname “Quik.” He needed just 18 seconds to author a one-punch knockout of Da’Mon Blackshear. That’s now back-to-back bonuses for Jackson after winning one for a first-round knockout of Rani Yahya in April 2023.