CHICAGO — Eddie Wineland, a full-time firefighter-EMT for LaPorte Fire Department, beat opponent Frankie Saenz by third-round TKO in the UFC on FOX 20 event this Saturday. In the process, he won a $50,000 bonus check for one of two “Performance of the Night” awards.
IT’S ALL OVER! Eddie Wineland uses those bricks he calls fists to TKO Frankie Saenz! #UFCChicago https://t.co/dYRG8ZHgnw
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 23, 2016
Making his last appearance in 2014, Wineland wasn’t sure he could continue fighting after suffering a broken jaw in competition.
“I broke the jaw and I wasn’t sure I wanted to come back,” Wineland told MMAjunkie. “The only reason I wanted to keep fighting was for my 2-year-old son, just to prove a point to him that if you get knocked down, you get up and you keep moving forward.”
Following his win in Chicago, Wineland’s record improves to 22 wins, 11 defeats, and one no-contest.
He reported to work at 7 a.m. the next day.