UFC Fight Night News: Saffiedine Talks Win, Fighter Retires, Attendance, Bonuses Announced
- Former Strikeforce welterweight champion Tarec Saffiedine finally made Octagon debut this past Saturday, scoring a decision victory over Hyun Gyu Lim in the main event of UFC Fight Night 34 from Singapore.
Saffiedine, who was forced out of several planned bouts with injuries in 2013, nearly suffered a last-minute defeat in a fight he was dominating. Lim caught him in the final moments of the fifth round, and the former champ admitted he was wobbled.
"I was pretty hurt," said Saffiedine, in the post-fight interview, which you can view in the video above. "He got me with a good punch.
"I worked pretty hard. He is a great fighter, really tough."
- On the same card from Singapore, veteran fighter Quinn Mulhern announced his retirement following a decision loss to Katsunori Kikuno.
Mulhern, a former champion in King of the Cage, exits the sport with an overall record of 18-4. He went 0-2 within the UFC.
"I am retiring from MMA," he posted on Facebook. "This camp was as perfect as they come. Everything fell into place, mentally, physically...But when I got in the cage I just didn't have it. It wasn't nerves, I didn't freeze...I just didn't have the physical gifts or skill (to) win."
- UFC Fight Night 34 marked the debut for the promotion in Singapore, and it resulted in a sell-out crowd of 5,216 packing the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
It was also the first event to air live on "UFC Fight Pass," the new digital platform which will become host to several prelim and complete cards in the year.
- Four fighters scored an additional $50,000 for their efforts at the UFC card, netting fight-night bonuses.
Saffiedine and Lim were the "Fight of the Night," while Max Holloway garnered "Knockout of the Night" honors for his win over Will Chope.
The "Submission of the Night" belonged to Russell Doane, who locked in a triangle choke that left Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Leandro Issa out with just a second left in the second round.