The UFC wrapped up Saturday’s event in Las Vegas with four fighters taking home an extra $50,000 in performance bonuses — and one of them may have delivered a knockout that will be replayed all year long.
Following UFC Fight Night 263 at the Apex, the promotion recognized four standout performances from an action-packed card. Here’s who cashed in on the post-fight bonuses.
Performance of the Night: Donte Johnson
Donte Johnson made quite the impression in his UFC debut. The undefeated newcomer (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), best known for his knockout power, showed there’s more to his game than just heavy hands. Johnson surprised fans by locking up the first submission of his career, forcing Sedriques Dumas (10-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) to tap to a guillotine choke just 1:25 into Round 2. The victory not only marked his first win inside the Octagon but also earned him a well-deserved $50,000 performance bonus.
Performance of the Night: Allan Nascimento
Allan Nascimento (22-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) wasn’t interested in leaving his fate to the scorecards. Facing short-notice replacement Cody Durden (17-9-1 MMA, 6-7-1 UFC), Nascimento weathered an early setback after dropping the first round on all three judges’ cards. But in Round 2, the Brazilian quickly flipped the script, locking in a tight anaconda choke that forced Durden to tap midway through the frame. The victory pushed Nascimento’s winning streak to four and earned him his second UFC performance bonus.
Performance of the Night: Waldo Cortes-Acosta
The co-main event delivered one of the night’s wildest moments. Ante Delija (26-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) appeared to have secured the victory after unloading a barrage of punches on Waldo Cortes-Acosta (15-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), prompting the referee to step in. But chaos quickly followed when a replay revealed an accidental eye poke that had gone unnoticed. As confusion spread inside the Octagon, the bout was restarted once Cortes-Acosta confirmed he could continue. Moments later, the tables turned — Cortes-Acosta stormed forward with heavy shots of his own, dropping Delija and sealing the official stoppage. The dramatic comeback not only flipped the script but also earned Cortes-Acosta his first UFC performance bonus.
Performance of the Night: Steve Garcia
Steve Garcia (19-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) made a statement in his first UFC main event, overwhelming David Onama (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) with relentless pressure from the opening bell. True to his “Mean Machine” nickname, Garcia stayed composed while steadily walking Onama down, landing clean, measured shots that kept his opponent on the defensive. Midway through the first round, Garcia connected with a powerful strike that sealed the finish at 3:34. The victory extended his winning streak to seven and earned him his fourth UFC performance bonus — further cementing his status as one of the division’s most dangerous rising contenders.
