Tony Kelley, Kai Kamaka and More Earn Bonus Prize Money from UFC 252 Card

Rob Goldberg @TheRobGoldbergFeatured ColumnistAugust 16, 2020

Daniel PinedaAssociated Press

While much of the focus on UFC 252 was on the main event between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, several fighters turned heads earlier in the card.

Virna Jandiroba and Daniel Pineda each earned a $50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night with their victories Saturday in Las Vegas, according to Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting.

Kai Kamaka and Tony Kelley also took home a $50,000 bonus for Fight of the Night for their battle on the preliminary card.

Kamaka and Kelley were each making their UFC debuts Saturday, and they made it count with an aggressive approach from both sides:

UFC @ufc
Senses his moment 🦈 🌺 @KaiboiKamaka is letting loose early! #UFC252 https://t.co/VBuCGBPcVF

UFC @ufc
Potentially down 2-0? 📝 @TonyKelleyMMA is absolutely bringing it to start RD 3. 📺 LIVE now on @UFCFightPass https://t.co/Pmsr73uj9F

E. Spencer Kyte @spencerkyte
Immediate clubhouse leader for Fight of the Night with the bar set reasonably high. Terrific scrap. 29-28 Kamaka for me, but still impressed with Kelley as well. #UFC252

Even though it was the first bout of the night, it was good enough to remain the best fight of the entire pay-per-view.

Pineda wasn't making his UFC debut, but it had been six years since he competed for the promotion. He showed he deserved another chance with his second-round knockout win over Herbert Burns.

Jandiroba needed only one round to win her match, using an armbar to beat Felice Herrig in just one minute and 44 seconds:

UFC @ufc
SPECTACULAR! 🌟 🔒 @VirnaJandiroba locks up the RD 1 armbar. The #UFC252 prelims continue on @ESPN. https://t.co/mk8dQvE6dz

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Each of these competitors boosted their stock with strong showings at UFC 252.