MMA: Post-Fight Bonuses for the Month of August

UFC post-fight bonuses are a favorite tradition after fight night. It's the coffee after the seven-course meal, the cigarette after the...you get the idea. It's a good capper. And it's always great to see those fighters who entertained you most that night get something special for the effort. 

So, we thought we'd start handing out bonus recognitions for submission, knockout and fight of the month in all of MMA. The bonus prize? The satisfaction of being the subject of your very own slide (you're welcome, Lorenz Larkin).

KO, sub and fight of the month will be awarded regularly, but just as with the UFC, random bonuses for unusual efforts or accomplishments are also possibilities.

Submission of the Month: Ronda Rousey

What: Ronda Rousey def. Sarah Kaufman by armbar, 0:54 of Rd. 1
Where: Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman
When: August 18

It's rote recitation for hardcore fans at this point, but still difficult to believe. Nine MMA fights. Nine wins by armbar. Nine wins in the first round. Only Miesha Tate made it out of the first freaking minute.

And she did it again against Sarah Kaufman, one of the best women fighters in the world and a vaunted striker. It made no difference. What can you say? Hail to the queen.

Knockout of the Month: Donald Cerrone

What: Donald Cerrone def. Melvin Guillard by knockout, 1:16 of Rd. 1
Where: UFC 150
When: August 11

Whoever said the Kentucky Derby was the most exciting two minutes in sports must have departed this life long before Donald Cerrone and Melvin Guillard. And they finished their work with 44 seconds to spare.

Knockout artist Guillard floored Cerrone with an early left hand and swarmed. Cerrone was hurt, but he survived and regrouped. A head kick from Cowboy wobbled Guillard, and an executioner's axe of a right hand finished the job.

(Official Fox Sports video highlights via MMAJunkie.) 

Fight of the Month: Joe Lauzon and Jamie Varner

What: Joe Lauzon def. Jamie Varner by submission, 2:44 of Rd. 3
Where: UFC on Fox 4
When: August 4

Both men fought hard, with Jamie Varner using a clear early strength advantage to power out of Joe Lauzon's submission attempts.

It might have been the short training camp that resulted from Varner taking the fight on late notice, but Varner flagged noticeably as the fight wore on and eventually succumbed to a triangle choke from the relentless Lauzon.

The phrase "leaving it all out there" was made for fights like this. 

Bonus Bonus: Tweet of the Month, Jon Jones

Jon Jones could use a little good news this month. So here it is.

After his refusal of a short-notice opponent replacement led to the first event cancellation in UFC history, Jones went into social media martyr mode, and in so doing fired off the tweet of the month. Kudos to you, Jon Jones. Please don't block me. 

"

Carrying the cross for my company's decision. If someone has to take the blame, I will accept full responsibility for the way UFC 151

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 25, 2012"

Follow Scott Harris on Twitter @ScottHarrisMMA.