Handing out UFC Performance Bonuses for September

Emblematic of what the UFC strives to accomplish day in and day out, September was a month to remember. 

We were welcomed with a middleweight rematch between Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza and Gegard Mousasi and a heavyweight clash between Ben Rothwell and Alistair Overeem. 

We were walked toward the door with a highly anticipated featherweight tilt between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, as well as the return of the former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz as he begins his trek back to the title. 

Alas, September has come and gone. 

On the horizon is Gunnar Nelson's latest attempt toward ascension, Rory MacDonald's next try at proving himself worthy of a shot at the title and Jose Aldo's heated rematch with Chad Mendes.

However, before we get started with October, it's important we take a closer look at the month that was.

Scroll along to see who wins the performance bonuses for the month of September.

Performance of the Month 1: Mark Hunt

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Mark Hunt is one scary dude. By most accounts, so is Roy Nelson. 

That is why most of us pegged this one as a can't-miss matchup. It was supposed to be packed with heavy punches and iron chins. With a combined 20 victories and only four losses by way of knockout, it was supposed to be exciting. 

It didn't disappoint. 

When it was all said and done, Hunt had his arms raised after one of his patented walk-off knockout blows, while Nelson was left flat on his face for just the second time in his 10-year career. 

Maybe Nelson has absorbed all the heavy blows a man can take. Maybe Hunt just hits harder than any other man Nelson has faced during his tenure with the UFC.

Either way, it's hard not to give Hunt the nod here. 

Performance of the Month 2: Conor McGregor

USA TODAY Sports

Say what you want about Conor McGregor, but he looked darn impressive in his bout against Dustin Poirier.

He forced most of us to consider buying into the hype with his rhetorical abilities. He forced all of us to believe in it once he left Poirier defeated and heartbroken.

At that point, it was less about whether the brash Irishman could compete with the best fighters the UFC's featherweight division had to offer—it was more about whether the UFC would actually risk putting this guy in anything smaller than a stadium next time around.

He fights. People watch.

As if the excitement of seeing McGregor duke it out against the very best at 145 pounds isn't enough, just picture him fighting against those at 155.

Fight of the Month: Tim Kennedy vs. Yoel Romero

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All right, there's a little bit of controversy clouding over this one—I get it. 

Controversial glove-grabbing and extra stool-sitting aside, this was a fight that had most of us giving our butts a bit of a break. 

First it was the comeback flurry that Tim Kennedy showed us to close out the second round. If not for a few things going his way, Yoel Romero would have seen his five-fight winning streak come to a screeching halt.

However, this is MMA, and cages play a vital role in keeping a fighter on his feet and bells play an imperative role in stopping the action.

Then it happened. 

The olympic silver medalist made sure he made every single one of those 28 extra seconds count as he came storming across the cage to ensure his journey toward finally getting his hands on some gold would not be tampered with. 

The UFC screwed up. John McCarthy screwed up. Romero took advantage. 

If not for what might be an extended layoff for Kennedy, this would lead to an immediate rematch. However, with a fractured left orbital, there's no reason the UFC should force its rising middleweight to sit around and wait.

Kristian Ibarra is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. He also serves as the sports editor at San Diego State University's student-run newspaper, The Daily Aztec. Follow him on Twitter at @Kristian_Ibarra for all things MMA.