SAN JOSE, Calif. - It was refreshing to see three guys who've had a large part in helping to build mixed martial arts were big winners tonight at UFC 139. Urijah Faber, Stephan Bonnar and Wanderlei Silva all made it to the postfight press conference.
Faber picked up an extra $70,000 Submission of the Night while Silva's explosive tilt against Cung Le got one of the two Fight of Night awards handed out by UFC president Dana White. Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua also got $70,000 for FON.
- The event drew 13,173 and a live gate of $1.268 million.
- Faber took out Brian Bowles less than six and half minutes to seal the deal on another title shot against UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz. White confirmed that Faber is getting Cruz next, but that the champ is sidelined for a while with his latest hand surgery.
"We've got some ideas we were getting together tonight and talking about," White said. "We've got to talk to Urijah and Cruz first. Cruz just had hand surgery, so he's out for a little bit, but we have an idea. We have a plan."
When Faber made the suggestion that he and Cruz could be the coaches for Season 15 of "Ultimate Fighter," White raised his eyebrows as if to confirm that the pair have been discussed as possible candidates.
- Speaking of champs on the mend, Anderson Silva is working through shoulder issues. When a Brazilian reporter pressed White on reports that the promotion is headed to Sao Paolo, Brazil next June, he seemed shocked and wondered aloud how the news leaked. White didn't confirm or deny the report. When asked a followup question during his media scrum following the presser, White said it's very possible Silva could be held out until June.
- It's official that the UFC on Fox 2 will be in Chicago. White said the show will be two hours long and feature four fights. He would not elaborate on any of the candidates to fill the four main card fights at the United Center.
- UFC 139 Knockout of the Night went to 20-year-old Michael McDonald, who devastated UFC newcomer Alex Soto in just 56 seconds.
It's been quite a year for McDonald. He's 3-0 in 2011. Tonight, he likely made $7,000 to show and $7,000 to win. UFC 139's payday totals $84,000 for McDonald. He made $12,00 at UFC 132 and also won a fight of the Night bonus at Ultimate Fight Night 24 in March good for a total payday of $70,000. The Modesto-native has earned $166,000 this year.
