UFC Bonuses: Jones, Dos Santos, Howard, Guida Earn $50K

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Welterweight John Howard on Sunday turned some unadulterated violence into cold, hard cash.

Howard, who remains unbeaten inside the Octagon, was one of three men to pocket $50,000 “Knockout of the Night” bonuses after he laid waste to newcomer Daniel Roberts in a UFC on Versus 1 preliminary bout at the 1st Bank Center. The brutal conclusion came 2:01 into round one.

A competitive fight took a dramatic turn when Howard scored with a powerful takedown and postured up inside Roberts’ guard. The Ring of Combat veteran teed off, as he landed a winging left hand that bounced his opponent’s head off the mat and left Roberts unconscious and stiff as a board. Howard followed with two more lefts that landed flush and had many fearing for Roberts’ well-being. The previously unbeaten Oklahoman lay motionless for several minutes before he sat up and returned to his stool. Roberts, still in a trance-like state, left the cage with assistance and made his way slowly backstage.

Meanwhile, surging Brazilian heavyweight contender Junior dos Santos banked a $50,000 “Knockout of the Night” bonus after he finished one-time UFC title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga and extended his winning streak to six 3:53 into round one of the co-main event. In addition, Jon Jones, who dispatched Brandon Vera with first-round punches and elbows, earned a $50,000 “Knockout of the Night” bonus.

Finally, fan favorite Clay Guida took home a $50,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus, as he coaxed a tapout from Shannon Gugerty with a second-round arm-triangle choke. It was Guida’s first submission victory since he put away Justin James with a rear-naked choke in his promotional debut at UFC 64 in October 2006.