MONTREAL – Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Alan Belcher, Jeremy Stephens and Sam Stout each earned $65,000 fight-night bonuses for their performances at tonight’s “UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun II” event.

“Shogun” added to his new title as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, with an additional $65K and “Knockout of the Night” honors, for his highlight reel KO of the formerly undefeated and defending champion Lyoto Machida.  Belcher choked out Cote, earning “Submission of the Night” honors, while Stout and Stephens battled for three rounds for the “Fight of the Night” award.

Rua avenged his controversial loss to Machida, with a 10 punch barrage that KO’d the champ after a glancing overhand right stunned and dropped Machida, stunningly ending the reign of “The Dragon” at 3:35 of Round 1.  

Belcher used a blistering gameplan of stinging kicks to the legs and body of Patrick Cote, who was looking to shake off any ring rust he might be suffering from after an 18 month layoff.  Belcher would eventually show his superior physical strength and ground game, slamming Cote onto his face, stunning the hometown fighter, then taking his back and locking in a fight ending rear-naked choke.  The submission victory earned Belcher “Submission of the Night” honors, and maybe even a shot at Anderson Silva, who he called out following his post fight interview with Joe Rogan.

Many fans predicted that Stephens and Stout would likely be the bout that would land the “Fight of the Night” award.  Both guys like to stand and slug, and that is exactly what they did.  Stephens often landed with more power, dropping Stout twice in the first round, however, Stout made his way back into the fight with a more technical arsenal of strikes, including crisp leg kicks and straight punches to the body of Stephens.  The victory would ultimately go to Stephens, but both men deserve credit for a very exciting fight, and both head home with an extra $65k in their fight shorts and “Fight of the Night” honors.

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