“UFC on Versus 1: Vera vs. Jones” was a first for the UFC on the Versus network.  It was also a first for the organization for fight night bonuses, as the UFC handed out 3 “Knockout of the Night” awards, each valued at $50,000.

Jon Jones not only dispatched his toughest test to date in Brandon Vera with a fight ending elbow, but also padded his fight shorts with an additional $50k for “Knockout of the Night.”  John Howard and Junior Dos Santos were also announced as “Knockout of the Night” award winners.  Clay Guida earned his $50k for “Submission of the Night,” with a fight ending arm-triangle on Shannon Gugerty.

Many fans anticipated a stand up war between Jones and Vera, but it was Jones that implemented a take down game plan early and often.  Vera controlled the posture of Jones for much of the time from his back, sustaining little or no damages in the exchanges. 

Things changed quickly when Jones postured up and landed a crunching elbow to the right eye of Vera, causing him to roll over to protect his face from further damage.  Jones pounced, landing more strikes, and putting an exclamation mark on his dominating victory as the referee stepped in to halt the action.

Junior Dos Santos kept his momentum going on his climb up the heavyweight ladder, with a dominating and destructive victory over Gabriel Gonzaga.  Gonzaga used his kicks to score points throughout the first round as Dos Santos centered on landing punches to the body of Gonzaga. 

Dos Santos told the world that his speed would be the difference, and his statement was prophetic.  Dos Santos used his speed effectively, countering a Gonzaga kick with a brutal left hook that dropped Gonzaga.  Dos Santos quickly stood over the floored Gonzaga, landing unanswered punches from the top, finally putting Gonzaga completely out before the referee could intervene.

John “Doomsday” Howard delivered a brutal one punch knockout in his preliminary bout against Daniel Roberts.  Roberts was a late replacement, and gave Howard all he wanted early, before eating a huge left hand to the jaw that left him out cold as Howard celebrated his victory.

Clay Guida defeated Shannon Gugerty by arm-triangle, and as the only submission victory of the night, took home $50k for “Submission of the Night.”

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