Saturday, January 14, 2012
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Edson Barboza’s spinning wheel kick at UFC 142 was perfectly timed and brutally efficient. While the spectacular finish undoubtedly improved his stock in the ultra-competitive lightweight division, it also helped to earned him an extra $130,000 on the night.

The talented Brazilian, who victimized Terry Etim with the kick inside the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, was awarded both “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout of the Night” for his efforts. The bonuses were worth $65,000 apiece, as was the “Submission of the Night” bonus collected by Rousimar Palhares, who forced Mike Massenzio to tap to his patented heel hook. Etim took home $65,000 as well for his part in the showdown with Barboza.

Barboza spent much of the lightweight encounter punishing Etim with outside leg kicks, hindering the movement of the Englishman. When Etim attempted to take the fight to the floor, Barboza was able to get back to his feet with ease and continue his assault. In round three, the Brazilian found an opening shortly after a failed shot by Etim. Pivoting off his left leg, Barboza’s heel found its mark on Etim’s jaw, rendering his opponent unconscious in an early candidate for 2012 “Knockout of the Year.” It was also the first knockout of its kind in UFC history.

Protecting one’s legs is always a primary objective for opponents of Palhares, and Massenzio learned that lesson quickly in succumbing to the Brazilian’s submission of choice in round one. “Toquinho” began the frame by cracking Massenzio with leg kicks, one of which caught the Team BombSquad representative in the groin. After a very brief recovery period, Palhares pulled guard and got a firm hold of his opponent’s leg. Massenzio had no choice but to tap at 1:03 of the opening stanza.

It was the third consecutive bonus for Barboza, who has twice previously earned “Fight of the Night” honors: against Anthony Njokuani at UFC 128 and against Ross Pearson at UFC 134. It was the second post-fight bonus earned by Palhares, who also captured “Submission of the Night” for his armbar of Ivan Salaverry at UFC 84.