UFC Fight Night 54: Did Rory MacDonald, Raphael Assuncao Prove Their Ranking?, Bonuses, More
The second-half of UFC's Saturday doubleheader was completed in Canada, as UFC Fight Night 54 took place. Due to MLB playoffs going long, most of the card aired on FOX Sports 2 and FX. In the main event, Rory MacDonald dominated and finished former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine.
MacDonald has now won three straight and called for the next shot at the welterweight title. Current champion Johny Hendricks is set to defend the belt against Robbie Lawler at UFC 181 in December.
Raphael Assuncao solidified his standing in the bantamweight division, claiming a decision over Bryan Caraway. Canadians won the four other main card bouts, as Chad Laprise, Elias Theodorou, Nordine Taleb and Mitch Gagnon all had their hands raised in victory.
MacDonald, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Chris Kelades and Patrick Holohan all picked up an extra $50,000 in bonus money. MacDonald and Aubin-Mercier were given "Performance of the Nights," while Kelades' decision win over Holohan was named the "Fight of the Night." The attendance was 10,782 for a live gate of $926,000 Canadian.
Check out complete results below:
Rory MacDonald def. Tarec Saffiedine via TKO (strikes) at 1:28 of Round 3
Raphael Assuncao def. Bryan Caraway via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Chad Laprise def. Yosdenis Cedeno via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Elias Theodorou def. Bruno Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nordine Taleb def. Jingliang Li via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Mitch Gagnon def. Roman Salazar via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:06 of Round 1
Daron Cruickshank def. Anthony Njokuani via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Jake Lindsey via submission (inverted triangle choke) at 3:22 of Round 2
Paul Felder def. Jason Saggo via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Chris Kelades def. Patrick Holohan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Albert Tumenov def. Matt Dwyer via TKO (strikes) at 1:03 of Round 1
Pedro Munhoz def. Jerrod Sanders via submission (guillotine choke) at :39 of Round 1