UFC Seattle: Silva and Simon’s Stunning Finishes Headline Bonus Winners

The UFC Seattle event in Seattle delivered an action-packed night of fights, culminating in the distribution of four $50,000 performance bonuses. Despite the preliminary card featuring an impressive seven finishes, only one prelim fighter managed to secure a bonus. Let’s dive into the standout performances that earned these fighters some extra cash.

Seattle Standouts 💰💰

Jean Silva & @RickySimonUFC are taking home the #UFCSeattle POTN bonuses! pic.twitter.com/0U2F5Z8t9h

— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2025

Performance of the Night: Ricky Simon

Ricky Simon (21-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) pulled off a stunning upset in his bantamweight clash against Javid Basharat (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC). Entering the octagon as a 2-1 underdog, Simon defied the odds with a spectacular first-round knockout. The finish came at 3:58 of the opening frame when Simon landed a perfectly timed two-punch combination that sent Basharat crashing to the canvas.

Blonde hair Ricky Simon is a new mythical fighter #UFCSeattlepic.twitter.com/n6wNAitI0E

— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) February 23, 2025

What makes Simon’s victory even more impressive is that the odds of him winning by knockout were a staggering 12-1. This performance not only earned Simon a $50,000 bonus but also solidified his position as a dangerous contender in the bantamweight division. The win improves Simon’s UFC record to 9-5 and serves as a reminder of his knockout power.

Performance of the Night: Jean Silva

Undefeated featherweight prospect Jean Silva (15-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) continued his dominant run in the UFC with another first-round finish. Silva, who entered the bout as a 5-1 favorite, lived up to expectations by stopping Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) via TKO at 4:15 of the first round.

Jean Silva with so much Aura KO #UFCSeattle pic.twitter.com/4j11sAZDJm

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) February 23, 2025

This victory marks Silva’s fourth stoppage in as many UFC appearances, showcasing his finishing ability and cementing his status as a rising star in the 145-pound division. The Brazilian fighter has now earned back-to-back performance bonuses, indicating that he’s not just winning fights but doing so in spectacular fashion.

Fight of the Night: Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker

In a grueling light heavyweight battle, Alonzo Menifield (16-5-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) and UFC debutant Julius Walker (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) put on a show that had fans on the edge of their seats. The back-and-forth contest saw both fighters visibly fatigued by the second round, yet they continued to push the pace and exchange heavy blows.

Alonzo Menifield and Julius Walker go the distance!

How did you score it?! #UFCSeattle pic.twitter.com/kLpQYryNtO

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 23, 2025

After three rounds of intense action, Menifield emerged victorious via a split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28). While the scorecards may have been contentious, there was no doubt that both fighters left everything in the octagon. Their efforts were rewarded with the Fight of the Night bonus, with each competitor taking home an additional $50,000.

The UFC Fight Night event in Seattle showcased the depth of talent across multiple weight classes. From Simon’s underdog knockout to Silva’s continued dominance and the war between Menifield and Walker, fight fans were treated to a night of memorable performances.

It’s worth noting that the preliminary card delivered an impressive seven finishes, yet only one prelim fighter managed to secure a bonus. This speaks to the high level of competition and the difficulty of standing out on a card filled with spectacular performances.

As the dust settles on UFC Seattle, these bonus winners have not only padded their bank accounts but also elevated their status within their respective divisions. For Simon and Silva, their emphatic finishes could propel them towards higher-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, Menifield and Walker have likely earned themselves a loyal following after their crowd-pleasing slugfest.

The UFC’s next stop will undoubtedly have a high bar to clear following the excitement generated in Seattle. As for the bonus winners, they’ll look to build on their momentum and continue their ascent up the UFC rankings in their next outings.