UFC Rewards Thiago Alves for Not Making Weight, Gives Him $50,000 KO Bonus

Thiago Alves put together an undeniably impressive performance in defeating Matt Hughes by second-round TKO Saturday at UFC 85.

But that came a little more than 24 hours after a disgraceful performance at the weigh-in, where Alves showed up weighing 174 pounds -- four pounds over the welterweight limit that he and Hughes agreed to fight at. Four pounds absolutely does make a difference, and Alves looked bigger and stronger than Hughes all night.

So what on earth was UFC thinking when it gave Alves the $50,000 knockout of the night bonus? To reward a fighter who doesn't make weight is completely nonsensical. UFC ought to have a policy that fighters who don't make weight aren't eligible for bonus money.