Melendez and Sanchez took home Fight of the Night in a battle that Joe Rogan called the "best ever." The lightweights engaged in a true back-and-forth war, with both fighters nearly finishing each other on multiple occasions. Melendez ultimately earned the nod, winning via unanimous decision.
John Dodson bounced back nicely from his flyweight championship loss to Demetrious Johnson with a first-round knockout of Darrell Montague. The vicious left hook helped Dodson secure Knockout of the Night and his third UFC win by KO/TKO.
Preliminary card fighter Tony Ferguson received Submission of the Night for his tapout of Mike Rio. Hurt by a short left, Rio went for the take down, and this time Ferguson sank in a D’Arce, dropped and rolled, hooking Rio’s arm’s until the tap came at 1:52.
Each bonused fighter received $60,000 for their efforts; the usual bonus is $50,000, but Tim Boetsch convinced White to increase the amount in the pre-fight meeting by reminding him that "Everything is bigger in Texas."
