Anderson Silva and Cung Le lead latest UFC Twitter bonuses award winners

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today (Feb. 7, 2012) announced the winners of its second-ever Twitter incentive program, cutting checks to the fighters who made the most of their social media outlets over the last quarter (ending Dec. 31, 2011).

Each award, which was initially unveiled across three categories earlier this year at the promotion's annual Fighter Summit, nets a $5,000 bonus.

Riding the enormous wave of UFC 134: "Rio," several Brazilian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters cashed in at the end of 2011's fiscal third quarter. Some of them are still hanging 10, but the promotion added a few fresh faces this time around, too.

Check it out:

Most followers:
Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson)
Junior dos Santos (@Junior_Cigano)
Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub)
Cung Le (@CungLe185)

Highest percentage of growth in followers:
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (@MinotauroMMA)
Roy Nelson (@RoyNelsonMMA)
Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA)
Cung Le (@CungLe185)

Most creative:
Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA)
Joseph Benavidez (@JoeB135)
Duane Ludwig (@DuaneBangCom)
Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie)

After Ellenberger's huge knockout upset of Jake Shields late last year, as well as Le's Octagon debut against Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139, which he lost via thrilling technical knockout, it's no surprise to see their accounts swell. Ludwig was also singled out for his "Fastest Knockout in UFC History" campaign that ultimately convinced company president Dana White to re-write the record books.

Anyone think @UFC missed the mark? Any snubs? Anyone think it makes certain fighters (ahem, Miguel Torres and Forrest Griffin, among others) try too hard?

While you're deciding, follow some of the Maniacs including @Jesse_Holland, @TommyMyers, @GenoMrosko, @BrianHemminger and @MMABuffet. Might we also suggest @MMAManiaNews, too.