UFC Paris: Four Fighters Earn $50K Performance Bonuses

The UFC rewarded four fighters with $50,000 performance bonuses following UFC Fight Night 258 at Accor Arena in Paris. Each honoree delivered highlight-reel moments that lit up the French crowd and shook up their divisions.

Kaue Fernandes (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) became just the 19th fighter in UFC history to secure a finish with leg kicks. Facing short-notice debutant and former Cage Warriors champion Harry Hardwick (13-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Fernandes chopped away early before forcing the stoppage in the opening round. Hardwick left the cage in a wheelchair as Fernandes cemented his name in the record books.

Ante Delija: Debut Revenge

Croatian heavyweight Ante Delija (26-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his long-awaited UFC debut in emphatic fashion, knocking out veteran Marcin Tybura (27-10 MMA, 14-9 UFC) in the first round. The victory carried extra meaning it avenged a loss nearly a decade ago when Tybura stopped Delija due to injury under the M-1 Global banner. Already a former $1 million PFL champion (2022), Delija’s UFC start instantly put the division on notice.

Mason Jones: Rally of the Night

Welsh lightweight Mason Jones (17-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) turned near disaster into triumph against Bolaji Oki (10-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC). After being dropped and nearly finished in the first round. Jones weathered the storm, recovered, and even stole the round on one judge’s card. In Round 2, he flipped the script entirely, storming back to score a TKO and earn what will surely be a “Comeback of the Year” contender.

Benoit Saint Denis: Homecoming Triumph

Local hero Benoit Saint Denis (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) delivered in the co-main event. Dominating and submitting Mauricio Ruffy (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC). Despite entering as the underdog, “The God of War” imposed his will, eventually locking in a rear-naked choke part face crank that forced the tap in Round 2. The win reestablished Saint Denis as a serious lightweight contender and electrified the Parisian crowd.