UFC Abu Dhabi Bonus Winners: Valter Walker Makes History With Rare Calf Slicer

UFC Fight Night 282 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on July 24 produced nine finishes across the card and four fighters who earned an extra $100,000 each for going above and beyond on a night that gave the heavyweight division in particular some serious new names to pay attention to.

Performance of the Night: Ramazan Temirov

Ramazan Temirov did not give Steve Erceg a moment to breathe from the opening bell. He worked his right hand relentlessly from the start, finding the range early and staying on the front foot until the sequence that put Erceg face-first on the canvas in round one.

Now 3-0 inside the UFC, Temirov is building genuine momentum in the flyweight division, and this was his most emphatic statement yet.

Performance of the Night: Valter Walker

Valter Walker became only the fourth fighter in UFC history to finish a bout with a calf slicer, tapping out Thomas Petersen in the opening round of their heavyweight contest. What made the finish particularly remarkable was the detail behind it.

Walker’s previous four submission wins had all come via heel hook, but when Petersen tried to crawl his way free from the hold, Walker transitioned seamlessly to the calf slicer and the tap followed immediately. Five straight first-round submission finishes now for the Brazilian, who is quietly becoming one of the most dangerous grapplers in the heavyweight division.

Fight of the Night: Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune

Rizvan Kuniev and Tyrell Fortune earned the Fight of the Night bonuses in a heavyweight battle that went the distance of three hard rounds before Kuniev closed the show with a TKO. Fortune gutted through what was reportedly a broken rib suffered in the first round and kept coming, which only made Kuniev’s sustained output across the entire fight more impressive. Back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for Kuniev, who is firmly inside the heavyweight conversation now.

UFC Abu Dhabi Full Bonus Breakdown

Performance of the Night:

• Ramazan Temirov: $100,000
• Valter Walker: $100,000

Fight of the Night:

• Rizvan Kuniev: $100,000
• Tyrell Fortune: $100,000

Finish Bonuses ($25,000 each):

• Magomed Ankalaev
• Muhammad Saidov
• Sam Patterson
• Axel Sola
• Abdul Hussein

Also read: Dana White Explains Why There Will ‘Never Be Another Conor McGregor’

About The Author

Chynelle Dirksz

A sports enthusiast turned writer, I bring a multi-sport perspective to my coverage. From playing basketball, handball, and throwball to competing as an athlete, sport has always been at the core of who I am, and writing became the natural way to channel that passion.

At To The Lane And Back, I cover Tottenham Hotspur, focusing on transfers, academy developments, and everything in between. I also write about UFC and MMA for UFCDailyNews.com, a site I designed, covering breaking news, fight analysis, and the latest developments in combat sports.

When I’m not writing, I’m probably being outsmarted by my two Labradors.

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