ONE 162 results: Who took home the $50,000 bonuses?

ONE’s third foray into US Primetime was a big hit and delivered as expected.

Although the main event slugfest between John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade for the ONE bantamweight world title came to an anticlimactic end, it was an amazing fight for as long as it lasted.

‘Wonder Boy’ was on the cusp of winning the world title in the third round when he nailed Lineker with one of his signature knees to the body.

The follow-up strike, however, landed on Lineker’s groin area, rendering him unable to continue. The 145-pound throne is now vacant after the bout was ruled a no-contest.

In the second world title match, Regian Eersel became a two-sport world champion after edging Sinsamut Klinmee in a five-round war for the inaugural ONE lightweight Muay Thai world title.

Kade Ruotolo, on the other hand, won the inaugural ONE lightweight submission grappling world title after submitting Uali Khurzev.

He also received a cool $50,000 for that nifty heel hook finish.

All in all, the promotion shelled out $200,000 worth of bonuses for its four high achievers.

Promotional newcomers Noelle Grandjean and Shamil Gasanov each collected a large sum in their debuts inside the circle.

Mehdi Zatout was emotional after he was told about the bonus, and he took the opportunity to announce that he would like this to be the last memory of his illustrious career.

Let’s have a look at how these warriors earned their well-deserved fight incentives.

#1.Noelle Grandjean (MMA 117lbs. catchweight)

The two promising women's atomweight fighters entered the circle to start off the lead card.

However, only Noelle Grandjean lived up to the hype and came away $50,000 richer.

The French-Thai budding star revealed that Lea Bivins had no business fighting her that evening. ‘Lil Monkey’ imposed her dominance right away, schooling the 20-year-old on the feet. Her strong judo base also came in handy as she flipped Bivins over with a nice throw.

Midway through the opening round, Grandjean unloaded a flurry of strikes capped off by a vicious right straight to the body that had Bivins waving in surrender.

The Tiger Muay Thai product smelled blood and followed it up with more punishing shots, winning the match via TKO at the 4:01 mark of round one.

#2. Mehdi Zatout (bantamweight Muay Thai)

ONE on Prime Video 3 may just be Mehdi Zatout’s swan song.

If that’s the case, he had the perfect way to go, blasting Asa Ten Pow in their bantamweight Muay Thai match in the second fight of the lead card.

Both trigger-happy fighters threw with evil intent right away. However, the Algerian, who vowed to get the $50k bonus pre-fight, clearly got the better of the exchanges.

An epic fight-ending sequence ensued, as ‘Diamond Heart’ clocked the American with an elbow and flying knee combo. 'The American Ninja' fired back with a powerful spinning elbow, which Zatout took in stride.

The Algerian kept on the offensive but Ten Pow was somehow saved by the bell.

In between rounds, Ten Pow’s right eye looked like a gruesome mess straight out of a horror movie.He was unable to get off his stool after the first round, and Zatout was declared the victor.

Filled with emotion with his two kids by his side post-fight, the 39-year-old Zatout left his gloves in the Circle and announced his retirement. Chatri Sityodtong gave him a generous $50,000 parting gift. What a way to go, indeed.

#3. Shamil Gasanov (Featherweight MMA bout)

There’s a new problem in the ONE Featherweight division, and his name Shamil Gasanov.

Living up to his moniker, ‘The Cobra’ slithered his way to Kim Jae Woong’s back and submitted ‘The Fighting God’ in less than a round.

Gasanov followed his game plan and did not allow the hard-hitting striker to get some momentum on the feet. Once the Russian got a hold of Kim, he took him for a ride with a massive suplex.

The Peresvet Fight team standout rag dolled the No.2-ranked featherweight and went in for his exposed neck. Gasanov got under the chin of Kim, forcing the tap at the 2:09 mark of the first round via rear-naked choke.

The undefeated Russian, who improved his record to 13-0, had an even more entertaining post-fight interview.

Gasanov boldly claimed that he’ll smash the fifth-ranked Garry Tonon and divisional king Tang Kai in less than five minutes. ‘The Cobra’ certainly introduced himself in grand fashion on his ONE debut and even walked away with the third bonus of the evening.

#4. Kade Ruotolo (ONE lightweight submission grappling)

Kade Ruotolo hit two birds with one stone on Friday. He got the gold strap in the best way possible and even got rewarded $50,000 for tapping his powerful Russian foe.

Uali Kurzhev was a worthy challenger and even caught Ruotolo early on with a beautiful foot sweep. However, the 19-year-old prodigy kept his composure and took the sambo specialist’s back.

The Russian’s brute strength was evident when he escaped a couple of D’Arce and rear-naked choke attempts from the youngest ADCC world champion.

However, he was only delaying the inevitable. Once Ruotolo grabbed a hold of those legs, it was game over.

Despite Kurzhev’s commendable submission defense, Ruotolo relentlessly cranked his heel, forcing the tough Russian to quit and spare his legs from further damage.