UFC announces Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14 bonus winners from season-long competition

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) treated mixed martial arts (MMA) to several thrilling fights, technical submissions and brutal knockouts throughout the season-long, tournament-style competition that unfolded on Spike TV for several weeks.

The bantamweights and featherweights (135 pounds and 145 pounds, respectively) showed viewers that they are more than just little guys who bounce around the cage like mosquitoes. They do that too, but the "little guys" have shown that they're not a sideshow. When push comes to shove, they can be the main event.

Tonight (Dec. 3, 2011) at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, John Dodson and Diego Brandao took home the most important prizes, winning their respective respective weight classes and earning "six-figure" contracts from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

However, for the first time ever, the promotion handed out big bonuses to select fighters for their highlight moments during their time on the show. Let's take a look at which competitors were fortunate enough to take home a $25,000 payday for their efforts:

Here are the nominees and the winners of the TUF 14 fight bonus awards:

Best Fight

Louis Gaudinot vs. Dustin Pague
Dustin Neace vs. Akira Corassani
John Dodson vs. John Albert
Dennis Bermudez vs. Akira Corassani
John Dodson vs. Johnny Bedford

Winner: Louis Gaudinot vs. Dustin Pague

Best Knockout

Diego Brandao def. Steven Siler via KO (punches) at 0:30 of round 1.
Diego Brandao def. Bryan Caraway via TKO (punches) at 4:15 of round 1.
John Dodson def. Johnny Bedford via KO (punches) at 1:00 of round 2.
Akira Corassani def. Brian Pearman via KO (punches) in round 1
Diego Brandao def. Jesse Newell via KO (punches) at 0:47 of round 1

Winner: John Dodson

Best Submission

Bryan Caraway def. Marcus Brimage via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:55 of round 2.
Dustin Pague def. Louis Gaudinot via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:28 of round 2.
T.J. Dillashaw def. Roland Delorme via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:43 of round 2.
Dennis Bermudez def. Akira Corassani via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:12 of round 1.
Roland Delorme def. B.J. Ferguson via submission (triangle choke) at 1:56 of round 1.

Winner: Dennis Bermudez

UFC, naturally, will reward the fighters who went above and beyond at TUF 14 Finale, which we will pass along as soon as possible. Meanwhile, did the voters (that was supposed to be you) get it right? Were you Maniacs satisfied with the award winners from TUF Season 14?

Opinions, please.

To check out all of our coverage for TUF 14 season check out our complete archive right here.