UFC Fight Night Bonuses: Florian, Nelson, Pearson, Siver Take $30K

Roy Nelson pocketed almost $1,000 a second in bonus money, as he leveled Stefan Struve in little more than half a minute in the UFC Fight Night 21 co-main event on Wednesday at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C.

Nelson, the 33-year-old former International Fight League champion, earned a $30,000 “Knockout of the Night” bonus for his efforts, as he launched himself into the upper echelon of heavyweights in the UFC. He dropped Struve with a crushing right hand and finished him with powerful punches on the ground. It took just 39 seconds.

Kenny Florian also banked some extra change.

The two-time UFC lightweight title challenger picked up a $30,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus after he tapped out Japanese star Takanori Gomi with a third-round rear-naked choke in the main event. Florian rapped Gomi with his jab for the better part of two rounds before he grounded and submitted him in the third.

Finally, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 9 winner Ross Pearson and Dennis Siver pocketed matching $30,000 “Fight of the Night” bonuses after they engaged in a spirited three-round lightweight encounter. Scores were 30-27 across the board for Pearson, who seems to improve with each successive outing in the Octagon.