UFC Fight Night 36: Predicting the Fight Night Bonus Winners

The UFC will be making its return to Brazil this weekend, as UFC Fight Night 36 comes live on Fox Sports 1. Headlined by Lyoto Machida and Gegard Mousasi, the show is heavy on Brazilian talent and up-and-coming fighters in multiple divisions.

If you look at the card, you will see some very familiar faces like Machida and Mousasi, but at the same time you will see some new faces like Albert Tumenov and Douglas Silva. Between the stars and the prospects, this show should be entertaining.

So, who will win the bonus checks at UFC Fight Night 36? Let's take a look at who could be taking home an extra chunk of money. I will still base the Performance of the Night bonuses on the old Knockout and Submission of the Night bonuses, as it seems the most appropriate way to judge the winners of those categories.

Performance of the Night No. 1: Charles Oliveira

In looking at some of the bouts on the card, there is a noticeable mismatch that will kick off the main card. That fight is between Charles Oliveira and Andy Ogle.

Oliveira is on a two-fight skid, but he is a young talent that has only been losing to the best guys. That's why he is getting an advantageous rebound fight in Ogle.

Oliveira can handle himself on the feet, but his biggest advantage comes on the ground. Once he gets Ogle there, it will only be a matter of time before he has the British brawler tapping out to one of his signature submission holds.

Knowing Oliveira's flashy style, it could also be a very slick submission win that earns him the bonus.

Also in the running: Cristiano Marcello, Erick Silva, Ronaldo Souza

Performance of the Night No. 2: Viscardi Andrade

As with the last bonus we examined, one has to look for the biggest mismatch in terms of striking when looking at the Knockout of the Night. That belongs to Viscardi Andrade.

Andrade is a power striker taking on Nicholas Musoke, who showed in his debut against Alessio Sakara that his chin may be suspect. So you do the math; Andrade's power plus Musoke's chin equals spectacular knockout.

Andrade is a real dark horse at 170 pounds and could continue his rise up the ranks at this event with another blistering KO.

Also in the running: Iuri Alcantara, Albert Tumenov, Douglas Silva

Fight of the Night: Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi

When you look at the matchup between Lyoto Machida and Gegard Mousasi, there is a lot to be excited about. That being said, this can either be an awesome bout or turn into a defensive battle that sees little action.

I will go with the former.

Machida's karate style sees him feel guys out until he blitzes them with a barrage of strikes. Mousasi is a gifted boxer who could give Machida a good bout on the feet.

If this turns into a striking chess match, it could be a decent-at-best fight. If they engage one another, it will undoubtedly be the best fight of the night.

Also in the running: Felipe Arantes-Maximo Blanco, Erick Silva-Takenori Sato, Iuri Alcantara-Wilson Reis