‘The Ultimate Fighter’ was crowned at Noche UFC.
The UFC returns to San Antonio, Texas for its third annual Noche UFC event on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The main event is a top contender fight at featherweight between Diego Lopes and Jean Silva.
The all-action season finale of ‘The Ultimate Fighter 33′ kicked off the 14-fight card on Saturday.
- READ MORE: Noche UFC: Diego Lopes vs Jean Silva LIVE stream info, results, full card and more from San Antonio
Daniil Donchenko wins ‘The Ultimate Fighter 33’ with negative balance in bank account
Daniil Donchenko had nothing to lose and everything to gain at Noche UFC.
In the lead-up to the tournament final, the Ukrainian said he had a negative balance of 500 dollars in his bank account on the Backstories & Buy-Ins’ Podcast. Donchenko noted it was less than UFC fighter Sedriques Dumas, who came into fight week with $13.96.
His bank account in the red, Donchenko absolutely bloodied his opponent, Rodrigo Sezinando, with strikes a minute into the opening round.
The fight took a momentary pause due to Donchenko throwing an accidental illegal blow.
Both fighters traded in the striking department, with Donchenko getting the better of the exchanges.
Donchenko battered Sezinando with punches, eventually knocking him down towards the end of the round for the TKO finish.
UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby awarded Donchenko the ‘The Ultimate Fighter 33’ welterweight tournament trophy and a UFC contract.
Daniil Donchenko could change his life with potential $50,000 bonus
Donchenko opened up Noche UFC in style.
With a performance like that, Donchenko is in the running for a ‘performance of the night’ bonus.
$50,000 would be life-changing money for Donchenko, who’s still in the red until his paycheck.
With that and his UFC contract, the 12-2 fighter could take his career to a whole new level in the Octagon.
In his post-fight interview, Donchenko vouched for his teammate/cornerman to get signed to the UFC, willing to go without pay for it.