Las Vegas – UFC^® action continues on UFC FIGHT ISLAND with an exciting featherweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 6 Calvin Kattar and No. 10 Dan Ige battle to prove they belong in the title conversation. In the co-main event, thrilling flyweights clash as No. 12 ranked contender Tim Elliott takes on Ryan Benoit. All events on UFC FIGHT ISLAND are the result of a partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN^®: KATTAR vs. IGE will take place Wednesday, July 15 at Flash Forum on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. The full event will be simulcast airing live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (English and Spanish) with the prelims starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and the main card at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. The event will be closed to the public and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance.

Quickly returning to action after securing the biggest win of his career over Jeremy Stephens, Kattar (22-4, fighting out of Methuen, Mass.) has his sights set on breaking into the top five of the division for the first time with another signature win. Among the most skilled strikers at featherweight, Kattar has finished all but one of his UFC victories via knockout, including wins over Shane Burgos, Chris Fishgold and Ricardo Lamas. Kattar now aims to make his biggest statement yet by becoming the first person to ever stop Ige.

The newest member of the featherweight top 10, Ige (14-2, fighting out of Haleiwa, Hawaii) plans to continue his impressive winning streak in his first UFC main event. After a close decision loss in his UFC debut, Ige has gone undefeated in six fights, earning impressive wins over Edson Barboza, Mirsad Bektic and Kevin Aguilar. Now, Ige looks to prove he belongs with the elite of the division by securing his most important victory to date.

A former UFC flyweight title challenger, Elliott (16-11, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) looks to defend his spot in the rankings and put on another entertaining performance. Known for his incredible pressure and cardio, Elliott has earned victories over some of the toughest competitors in the division’s history, including Jens Pulver, Mark De La Rosa and Louis Smolka. He now aims to bounce back into the win column and reinsert himself into the championship conversation.

Competing in the first co-main event of his UFC career, Benoit (10-6, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) aims to make the most of the opportunity and claim his biggest win yet. One of the hardest hitters in the flyweight division, Benoit has finished a remarkable eight of his 10 wins by knockout or TKO, including stoppages over Sergio Pettis and Ashkan Mokhtarian. He now attempts to become the first person in the UFC to knockout Elliott, and break into the division’s top 15.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Top-ranked bantamweights meet at featherweight on short notice as Jimmie Rivera (22-4, fighting out Ramsey, N.J.) seeks to become the first person to KO Cody Stamann (19-2, fighting out of Sparta, Mich.)
• No. 15 ranked women’s flyweight contender Molly McCann (10-2, fighting out of Liverpool, England) looks to extend her impressive winning streak against Dana White’s Contender Series signee Taila Santos (15-1, fighting out of Balneário Camboriú, SC, Brazil)
• Dangerous knockout artist Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-1, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) returns to action against UFC newcomer Mounir Lazzez (9-1, fighting out of Dubai, UAE by way of Sfax, Tunisia) at welterweight
• Heavy-handed middleweight John Phillips (22-9, fighting out of Swansea, Wales) goes for another signature finish against undefeated newcomer Khamzat Chimaev (6-0, fighting out of Sweden)
• Top featherweight prospects face off when Ricardo Ramos (14-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) meets Lerone Murphy (8-0-1, fighting out of Manchester, England)
• Debuting light heavyweights Modestas Bukauskas (10-2, fighting out of Buckinghamshire, England by way of Klaip?da County, Lithuania) and Andreas Michailidis (12-3, fighting out of  Athens, Greece) aim to make a good first impression on UFC fans
• Entertaining featherweights clash as Jared Gordon (15-4, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.) takes on Chris Fishgold (18-3, fighting out of Liverpool, England)
• Diana Belbita (13-5, fighting out of Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania) and Liana Jojua (7-3, fighting out of Tbilisi, Georgia) look to secure their first UFC wins in a women’s flyweight clash
• Undefeated bantamweight Jack Shore (12-0, fighting out of Abertillery, Wales) faces the returning Aaron Phillips (12-3, fighting out of Lafayette, La.)
• Light heavyweights Jorge Gonzalez (16-4, fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico) and Kenneth Bergh (8-0, fighting out of Oslo, Norway) look to make the most of their UFC debuts and announce themselves as the next top prospect

The UFC will then continue events on UFC FIGHT ISLAND with:

• UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: FIGUEIREDO vs. BENAVIDEZ 2 on Saturday, July 18
• UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: WHITTAKER vs. TILL on Saturday, July 25

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

A full line of UFC FIGHT ISLAND products, including t-shirts, hats, water bottles, tote bags, and more are available now on UFCStore.com

Las Vegas – UFC^® holds its first in a series of events on UFC FIGHT ISLAND, headlined by a trio of world championship bouts. Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will go for his second successful title defense when he takes on teammate and No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns. In a featherweight championship rematch, Alexander Volkanovski defends against former champion and No. 1 contender Max Holloway. The vacant bantamweight championship is up for grabs when No. 3 ranked contender Petr Yan faces former featherweight champion and No. 6 bantamweight Jose Aldo. All events on UFC FIGHT ISLAND are the result of a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

UFC^® 251: USMAN vs. BURNS will take place Saturday, July 11 at Yas Forum on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and will stream live on Pay-Per-View, exclusively through ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT in both English and Spanish.

ESPN+ is the exclusive provider of all UFC Pay-Per-View events to fans in the U.S. as part of an agreement announced in 2019.

Fans will be able to purchase UFC^® 251: USMAN vs. BURNS online at http://espnplus.com/PPV or on the ESPN App on mobile and connected-TV devices. ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App on all major mobile and connected TV devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire, Apple, Android, Chromecast, PS4, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, X Box One and more.

Preliminary fights will air nationally in English on ESPN and ESPN+, and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with the first four bouts also simulcast on UFC Fight Pass.

Initially turning heads by winning season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter, Usman (16-1, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. by way of Auchi, Nigeria) has been unbeaten for over seven years. After earning a dominant victory over Tyron Woodley to capture the UFC welterweight championship in early 2019, Usman closed out the year by delivering a thrilling knockout victory over heated rival Colby Covington. Usman now aims to secure his second successful title defense against the division’s fastest rising contender.

Burns (19-3, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. by way of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) has wasted no time fighting his way into title contention since returning to welterweight in August 2019. Following impressive victories over Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson and Aleksei Kunchenko, Burns put on the best outing of his career in a dominant win against Tyron Woodley in May. Burns now aims to earn UFC gold by dethroning his teammate with another spectacular performance.

Newly crowned champion Volkanovski (21-1, fighting out of Windang, New South Wales, Australia) aims to prove his incredible title victory over Holloway was no fluke. The former rugby player immediately made waves upon joining the UFC roster, securing thrilling victories over Chad Mendes, Darren Elkins and Jeremy Kennedy. Volkanovski is now gunning to go 2-0 against Holloway and begin building his own legacy as a dominant featherweight champion.

A former UFC featherweight champion, Holloway (21-5, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) is looking for a measure of revenge against the man who took his belt. During a spectacular unbeaten streak at 145 pounds that lasted almost six years, Holloway delivered show-stealing victories against Brian Ortega, Frankie Edgar and Anthony Pettis. Holloway now has his sights set on evening the score with Volkanovski to reclaim his featherweight championship.

Unbeaten for over four years, Yan (14-1, fighting out of Yekaterinburg, Russia) has quickly emerged as one of the top bantamweights in the world since joining the UFC roster with a KO victory against Teruto Ishihara in 2018. Since then, he has secured impressive wins over Urijah Faber, Jimmie Rivera and John Dodson. Yan now looks to take out another legend and achieve his dream of becoming UFC champion.

Among the greatest fighters in MMA history, Aldo (28-6, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) hopes to become the eighth athlete to win championships in two UFC divisions. A two-time UFC featherweight champion, Aldo holds sensational victories over some of the biggest names in the sport, including Frankie Edgar (twice), Chad Mendes (twice) and Urijah Faber. Aldo now aims to capture the vacant bantamweight championship and add to his incredible legacy.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• In a rematch of former women’s strawweight champions, No. 1 ranked contender Jessica Andrade (20-7, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) runs it back with No. 2 Rose Namajunas (9-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo.)
• No. 14 ranked women’s strawweight contender Amanda Ribas (9-1, fighting out of Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil) hopes to continue her hot streak against returning Paige VanZant (8-4, fighting out of Portland, Ore.)
• No. 7 ranked light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir (17-4, fighting out of Fribourg, Switzerland) takes on highly touted UFC newcomer Jiri Prochazka (26-3-1, fighting out of Brno, Czech Republic)
• Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (22-6, fighting out of Francisco Beltrao, Parana, Brazil) squares off with Muslim Salikhov (16-2, fighting out of Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia) in an exciting welterweight bout
• Entertaining featherweights collide as Makwan Amirkhani (15-4, Turku, Finland by way of Kurdistan) meets Danny Henry (12-3, fighting out of Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Leonardo Santos (17-4-1, fighting out of Campos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to deliver another highlight-reel finish against undefeated Roman Bogatov (10-0, fighting out of Orenburg, Russia)
• Marcin Tybura (18-6, fighting out of Uniejow, Poland) locks horns with unbeaten Alexandr Romanov (11-0, fighting out of Comrat, Moldova) in a heavyweight bout
• No. 14 ranked flyweight contender Raulian Paiva (19-3, fighting out of Santana, Amapa, Brazil) faces debuting Zhalgas Zhumagulov (13-3, fighting out of Aktobe, Kazakhstan)
• Karol Rosa (12-3, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) aims to secure her fourth consecutive victory when she takes on Vanessa Melo (10-7, fighting out of Taboao da Serra, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Martin Day (8-3, fighting out of Kailua, Hawaii) looks to secure his first UFC win when he meets Davey Grant (11-4, fighting out of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England)

The UFC will then continue events on UFC FIGHT ISLAND with:

• UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: KATTAR vs. IGE on Wednesday, July 15
• UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: FIGUEIREDO vs. BENAVIDEZ 2 on Saturday, July 18
• UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: WHITTAKER vs. TILL on Saturday, July 25

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

A full line of UFC FIGHT ISLAND products, including t-shirts, hats, water bottles, tote bags, and more are available now on UFCStore.com

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Dustin Poirier outlasted Dan Hooker and won a unanimous decision in a lightweight Instant Classic at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The two landed hellacious blows throughout the fight. Hooker landed more over the 1st two rounds including 64 strikes in a non-stop action filled 2nd round.

In round two, Hooker started to bleed from his right eye. Poirier was bleeding from his right eye as well.

The two continued to stand toe-to-toe and landed crushing blows. Poirier tried unsuccessfully three submission attempts. Poirier came back over the final three rounds and outlanded Hooker 148-83 over the final three rounds, which includes 61-20 in the pivotal 5th round.

Poirier, 156 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 48-47 twice and 48-46 and is now 26-6-1. Hooker, 155.5 lbs of Auckland, NZ is 20-9.

Mike Perry won a unanimous decision over Mickey Gall in a welterweight bout.

Perry, 171 lbs of Orlando, FL won by scores of 29-28 on all cards, and is now 14-6. Gall, 170 lbs of Green Brook, NJ is 6-3.

Maurice Greene submitted Gian Villante in round three of their heavyweight bout.

Greene seemed to control most of the first two rounds. In round three, Villante clocked Greene with a left hand that sent him to the deck. Villante then landed some solid Ground and Pound. Somehow Greene turned the tables, and was able to get a choke from the bottom that made Villante tap at 3:44.

Greene, 255 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 9-4. Villante, 255 lbs of Bellmore. NY is 17-12.

Brendan Allen won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Kyle Daukaus in a middleweight fight.

In round one, Allen cut Daukaus with a hard elbow to the forehead.

Allen, 185.5 lbs of Milwaukee, WI won by scores of 30-27, 29-27 and 29-28 to raise his mark to 15-3. Daukaus, 185.5 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is 9-1.

Takashi Sato took out Jason Witt in the opening minute of their welterweight bout.

Sato landed a flush left that sent Witt down. Witt tried to get up, but ate a knee to the face that sent up five unanswered blows to the head of Witt, and the fight was stopped at 48 seconds.

Sato, 170.5 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 16-3. Witt, 171 lbs of Kansas City, MO is 17-6.

Julian Erosa submitted previously undefeated Sean Woodson in a catchweight fight/

In round three, Erosa was bleeding from the nose. In round three, Erosa got Woodson down, and was able to front choke him that forced Eoodson to submit at 2:44.

Erosa, 149.5 lbs of Las Vegas, took the fight on Wednesday and improves to 24-8. Woodson, 149 lbs of St. Louis is 7-1.

Khama Worthy choked out Luis Pena in the 3rd round of their lightweight bout.

Worthy was able to get Pena in a Guillotine and take him to the ground with it and Pena submitted at 2:53.

Worthy, 154.5 lbs of Pittsburgh, PA is 16-6. Pena, 155 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 8-3.

Tanner Boser scored a vicious round stoppage over Felipe Lins in a heavyweoght bout.

Boser landed a boomer right that knocked Lins out cold at 2:45.

Boser, 235 lbs of Edmonton, ALB, CAN is 18-6-1. Lins, 235 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 14-5.

Kay Hansen made Jinh Yu Frey tap in the 3rd round of their strawweight bout.

Hansen made Frey tap from a Trinagle-Armbar at 2:26.

Hansen, 115.5 lbs of Fullerton, CA is 7-3. Frey, 115.5 lbs of Arlington, TX is 9-5.

Youssef Zalal won a unanimous decision over Jordan Griffin in a featherweight fight.

Zalal, 145.5 lbs of Englewood, CO won bu scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 9-2. Griffin, 145 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 18-8.

Las Vegas – UFC^® continues its run of shows at UFC APEX with a lightweight main event all but guaranteed to deliver action as No. 3 ranked contender Dustin Poirier and No. 5 Dan Hooker meet in a battle of elite strikers. In the co-main event, two fan favorites will clash at welterweight as Mike Perry goes for another signature knockout against submission specialist Mickey Gall.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN^®: POIRIER vs. HOOKER will take place Saturday, June 27 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The preliminary card will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. The event will be closed to the public and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance.

A former interim UFC lightweight champion, Poirier (25-6 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) returns to action looking to remind the rest of the division that he is still one of the best in the world. Among the most respected athletes on the roster, Poirier has secured wins over former UFC champions Max Holloway (twice), Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis. He now aims to stop the impressive run of Hooker and make his claim for another title shot.

One of the most dangerous strikers at lightweight, Hooker (21-8, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) intends to land another devastating knockout and secure the biggest win of his career. Since moving up to 155 pounds, Hooker has earned notable victories over Gilbert Burns, James Vick and Al Iaquinta. He now looks to prove that he can compete with the elite of the division and achieve his first UFC title shot. 

A fan favorite for his explosive fighting style and unique personality, Perry (13-6, fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) looks to bounce back into the win column with another exciting performance. A power puncher with all of his finishes coming by knockout, Perry has earned victories over Paul Felder, Jake Ellenberger and Alex Oliveira. He now looks to make an emphatic statement with another highlight reel finish.

One of the top prospects in the welterweight division, Gall (6-2, fighting out of Green Brook Township, N.J.) has proven that he holds the grappling skills to stop anyone in the world. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Gall has secured submissions in all but one of his victories, including wins over CM Punk, Sage Northcutt and George Sullivan. He now looks to become only the second person to submit Perry and continue his run up the welterweight ranks.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Dana White’s Contender Series veterans clash as Brendan Allen (13-3, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) looks to spoil the debut of Kyle Daukaus (9-0, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.)
• Gian Villante (17-11, fighting out of Bellmore, N.Y.) makes his heavyweight debut against Maurice Greene (8-5, fighting out of St. Cloud, Minn.)
• Lightweight strikers aim to put on a show as Luis Pena (8-2, fighting out of Gilroy, Calif.) meets Khama Worthy (15-6, fighting out of Pittsburgh, Penn.)
• Mara Romero Borella (13-8, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) intends to bounce back into the win column when she takes on UFC newcomer Miranda Maverick (7-2, fighting out of Norfolk, Va.) at flyweight
• Philipe Lins (14-4, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) and Tanner Boser (17-6-1, fighting out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) look to make a statement in a clash of heavyweight hopefuls
• In a 150 pound catchweight bout, Dana White’s Contender Series signee Sean Woodson (7-0, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.) looks to remain undefeated when he takes on Kyle Nelson (13-3, fighting out of Huntsville, Ontario, Canada)
• Takashi Sato (15-3, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan) welcomes the debuting Ramiz Brahimaj (8-2, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) to the UFC welterweight division
• Invicta FC standouts look to make a statement as Kay Hansen (6-3, fighting out of Fullerton, Calif.) takes on former atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey (9-4, fighting out of Arlington, Texas)
• Jordan Griffin (18-7, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) returns to action aims to hand Youssef Zalal (8-2, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) his first UFC loss in a featherweight bout

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

About Disney’s Direct-To-Consumer & International

Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment includes Disney’s international media operations stretching from Europe to Asia to Latin America and the Company’s direct-to-consumer streaming businesses, including Hulu, Hotstar, ESPN+, and the recently launched Disney+ service. DTCI also manages global advertising sales and ad technology for Disney media properties which include ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX Networks, National Geographic, and the Disney Channels. The Company’s media distribution operations are also part of the Direct-to-Consumer & International business segment.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Number-Three ranked heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes held on for a unanimlius decision over number-eight ranked Alexander Volkoff at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Blaydes broke the UFC Heavyweight record for takedowns with 14 (It was 11). In round four, Blaydes was bleeding out of his mouth. Blaydes was dominant for the first three-plus rounds. Blaydes was gassed as he entered the final round, but held on for the victory by scores of 49-46, 48-47 and 48-46.

Blaydes, 261 lbs of Chicago is 14-2. Volkoff, 247 lbs of Moscow, RUS is 31-8.

In a fight where both combatants landed bombs throughout the fight, Josh Emmett won a unanimous decision over Shane Burgos in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Emmett seemed to hurt his knee when he stepped wrong on the canvas. In round two, Emmett was bleeding from the bridge of the nose. In round three, Emmett dropped Burgos twice with crushing shots. 1st it was a right and later in round it was a left. Burgos was bleeding from the nose.

Emmett, 146 lbs of Sacramento, CA won by scores of 29-28 twice and 29-27 and is now 16-2. Burgos, 146 lbs of Monroe, NY is 13-2.

Raquel Pennington won a unanimous decision over Mario Reneau in a bantamweight contest.

Pennington dominated the final two rounds with knees to the midsection and solid punches. She outstruck Reneau 109-95.

Pennington, 136 lbs of Colorado Springs, CO won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 11-8. Reneau, 136 lbs of Vasilia, CA is 9-6-1.

Belal Muhammad won a unanimous decision over Lyman Good in welterweight bout.

In round two, Muhammad was bleeding under his right eye.

Muhammad was outstruck but won by scores on 29-28 on all cards/

Muhammad, 170.5 lbs of Chicago, IL is 17-3. Good, 170.5 lbs of New York 21-6-1.

Jim Miller made Roosevelt Roberts tap in the 1st round of their catchweight bout.

Miller got Roberts down, and he tapped out shortly thereafter at 2:25.

Miller, 159.5 lbs of Sparta, NJ is 32-14-1. Roberts, 160 lbs of Fontana, CA is 10-2.

Bobby Green won a unanimous decision over Clay Guida in a battle of veteran lightweights.

Green, 155.5 lbs of Fontana, CA won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 to raise his mark to 25-10-1. Guida, 154.5 lbs of Johnsburg, IL is 35-20.

Tecia Torres won a unanimous decision over Brianna Van Buren in a strawweight fight.

Torres was dominant with her striking as he held a 98-38 advantage in that department.

Torres, 116 lbs of Coconut Creek, FLA won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is now 11-5. Van Buren, 115 lbs of Gilroy, CA is 9-3.

Marc-Andre Barriault stopped Oskar Piechota in round two of their middleweight bout.

Near the end of the 2nd frame, Barriault hurt Piechota with a hard right hand. Barriault was able to crumble Piechota to the ground with more punches. A few more ground strikes forced the stoppage at 4:50.

Barriault, 185.5 lbs is now 12-4. Piechota, 185.5 lbs of Poland is 11-4-1.

Gillian Robertson submitted Cortney Casey in the 3rd round of their flyweight bout.

Robertson finished Casey with a rear-naked choke at 4:36.

Robertson is now 8-4. Casey is 9-8.

Justin Jaynes stopped Frank Camacho in the opening round of their welterweight bout.

Jaynes landed a left hook to the jaw that rocked Camacho. Jaynes was all over Camacho and landed three more hard blows to the face, and referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 41 seconds.

Jaynes, 156 lbs of Las Vegas, was just signed by the UFC on Tuesday is now 16-4. Camacho, 158 lbs of Northern Mariana Islands, missed weight by two pounds is 22-9.

Lauren Murphy won a unanimous decision over Roxanne Madafferi in a flyweight bout.

Murphy out-struck Modafferi 102-80.

Murphy, 125.5 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 13-4. Modafferi, 125.5 lbs of Las Vegas is 24-18.

Austin Hubbard stopped previously undefeated Max Rohskopf in a welterweight bout/

Hubbard landed many hard shots. and in round two, Rohskopf began to bleed around his left eye. Rohskopf said he could not continue after the round.

Hubbard, 156 lbs of Denver, CO is 12-4. Rohskopf, 155 lbs of Las Vegas is 5-1.

Las Vegas – UFC^® continues its run of shows at UFC APEX with a thrilling heavyweight clash featuring No. 3 ranked contender Curtis Blaydes and No. 7 Alexander Volkov. The co-main event will see a battle between surging featherweight contenders, as No. 8 ranked Josh Emmett faces No. 10 Shane Burgos.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN^®: BLAYDES vs. VOLKOV will take place Saturday, June 20 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The preliminary card will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. The event will be closed to the public and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance.

Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Blaydes (13-2 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) made a huge statement in his last outing this past January by securing an emphatic TKO victory over former champion Junior Dos Santos. The 29-year-old standout also holds spectacular wins against Alistair Overeem, Mark Hunt and Aleksei Oleinik. Blaydes now looks to keep his momentum going and deliver another impressive finish to cement his status as a heavyweight title threat.

Victorious in seven of his last eight bouts, Volkov (31-7, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) looks to continue his winning ways following a dominant victory over Greg Hardy in November. Since joining the UFC roster in 2016, the talented striker has also earned impressive wins over Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson. Volkov now aims to crack the heavyweight top five by taking out one of the division’s most dangerous contenders.

A member of Team Alpha Male, Emmett (15-2, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) aims to capture his third consecutive win in the UFC’s talent-stacked featherweight division. Since dropping down to 145 pounds in 2017, Emmett has delivered sensational KO wins over Mirsad Bektic, Michael Johnson and Ricardo Lamas. Emmett now hopes to take out another surging featherweight to continue his hot streak.

Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Burgos (13-1, fighting out of Monroe, N.Y.) has established himself as a featherweight contender to watch. During his most recent run, Burgos has delivered impressive victories against Makwan Amirkhani, Cub Swanson and Kurt Holobaugh. Burgos now looks to stop another highly touted contender to further establish himself as a dangerous title threat.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 6 ranked women’s bantamweight contender Raquel Pennington (10-9, fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colo.) hopes to rebound when she takes on No. 10 Marion Reneau (9-5-1, fighting out of Visalia, Calif.)
• In a clash of entertaining welterweights, Belal Muhammad (16-3, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) squares off with Lyman Good (21-5 1NC, fighting out of New York, N.Y.)
• Jim Miller (31-14 1NC, fighting out of Sparta, N.J.) makes his 34^th UFC appearance against rising prospect Roosevelt Roberts (11-1, fighting out of San Bernardino, Calif.) in a 160-pound catchweight bout
• Crafty veterans collide when Clay Guida (35-16, fighting out of Johnsburg, Ill.) faces Bobby Green (24-10-1, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.)
• No. 12 ranked women’s strawweight contender Tecia Torres (10-5, fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colo.) aims to get back in the win column against rising Brianna Van Buren (9-2, fighting out of Gilroy, Calif.)
• Marc-Andre Barriault (11-4, fighting out of Quebec City, Que., Canada) hopes to secure his first UFC victory when he takes on Oskar Piechota (11-3-1, fighting out of Gdynia, Poland)
• No. 15 ranked women’s flyweight contender Cortney Casey (9-7, fighting out of Maui, Hawaii) takes on exciting finisher Gillian Robertson (7-4, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Niagara Falls, Ont., Canada)
• In an exciting featherweight bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks, Matt Frevola (8-1-1, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y.) takes on Frank Camacho (22-8, fighting out of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands)
• In a clash of women’s flyweight contenders, No. 5 ranked Roxanne Modafferi (24-17, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meets No. 6 Lauren Murphy (12-4, fighting out of Houston, Tex.)
• In a battle of lightweight prospects, Austin Hubbard (11-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) faces undefeated UFC newcomer Max Rohskopf (5-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)

Visit UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Cynthia Calvillo moved up to flyweight and won a five-round unanimous decision over top-ranked Jessica Eye at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Eye had a good opening round, but that was it for her as Cavillo dominated the final four-rounds and the numbers showed that as Calvillo outlanded Eye by a 137-97 count, and was successful on four takedown attempts.

Calvillo, 126 lbs of San Jose, CA won by scores of 49-46 twice and 48-47 and is now 9-1. Eye, 126.25 lbs (.25 over the contacted weight limit( is now 15-8-1.

In a contentious build-up, Marvin Vettori choked out Karl Roberson in the opening round of their middleweight bout.

Vettori got Roberson on the ground and then pounded away, which led to a rear-naked choke that forced Roberson to tap-out at 4:17.

The two were supposed to meet last month in Jacksonville when Roberson missed weight and the fight was called off. Vettori and Roberson then had a confrontation in the hotel. Fast-Forward to yesterday’s weigh in, where once again Roberson missed weight. This time by 4.5 pounds, but the fight went on.

Vettori, 186 lbs of Trento, IT is 15-4-1. Roberson, 190.5 lbs of Neptune, NJ is 9-3.

Charles Rosa won a split decision over Kevin Aguilar in a lightweight bout.

Rosa was cut at the end of round two from a clash of heads. Aguilar out-landed Rosa 64-56.

Rosa took cards 29-28; Aguilar took a card 29-28.

Rosa, 155 lbs of Boca Raton, FL is 13-4. Aguilar, 155.5 lbs of Longview, TX is 17-.4

Andre Fili won a split decision over Charles Jourdain in a featherweight fight.

Fili won the fight on the strength of out-landing Jourdain 74-63 and 4-0 in take-downs.

Fili, 145.5 lbs of Sacramento, CA took two cards 29-28; Jourdain won a card 29-28.

Fili is now 21-7. Jourdainm 145.5 lbs is 10-3.

Jordan Espinosa won a unanimous decision over Mark De La Rosa in a bantameweight bout.

Espinosa controlled the action as he outlanded De La Rosa 192-48 and 2-0 on takedowns.

Espinosa, 135.5 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won by scores of 30-27 twice and 30-26 and is now 15-7-1. De La Rosa, 136 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 11-5.

Maria Agapova choked out Hannah Cifers in the first round of their flyweight bout.

Agapova was relentless in agression. She landed a big kick that hurt Cifers and eventually got her to the ground where she was able to apply a rear-naked choke that forced the end of the fight at 2:42.

Agapova, 125.5 lbs of Kazakhstan is 9-1. Cifers, 125 lbs of Wake Forest. NC is 10-6.

Merab Dvalisvili won a unanimous decision over Gustavo Lopez in a catchweight bantamweight bout.

Dvalishvili, 139 lbs of Long Island, NY registered 13 takedowns, and won by scores of 30-26 twice and 30-25 and is now 11-4. Lopez, 140 lbs of Las Vegas is 11-5.

Julia Avila scored an opening minute stoppage over Gina Mazany in a bantamweight contest.

Avila landed a knee to the stomach that sent Mazana reeling back. Avila quickly followed Mazany and landed a barrage of quick punches, and the fight was stopped at 22 seconds.

Avila, 135 lbs of Oklahoma City is 8-1. Mazany, 136 lbs of Las Vegas is 6-4.

Tyson Nam scored an explosive opening minute knockout over Zarrukh Adashev in a bantamweight bout.

Nam landed an explosive right hand to the chin that sent Adashev down. While down, Nam landed another right to the wide-open face of Adashev and the fight was stopped at 32 seconds.

Nam, 135.5 lbs of Wapahai, HI is 19-11-1. Adashev, was 2.5 lbs over at Friday’s weigh-in is 3-2.

Christian Aguilera stopped Anthony Ivy in the opening minute of their welterweight bout.

Aguilera landed a hard right that hurt Ivy. He followed up with four hard shots, and the bout was stopped at 59 seconds.

Aguilera, 170.5 lbs of Brea, CA is 14-6. Ivy, 171 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 8-3.

Las Vegas – UFC^® action continues in Las Vegas with another action-packed fight night as No. 1 ranked women’s flyweight contender Jessica Eyetakes on No. 10 ranked strawweight submission ace Cynthia Calvillo. Also on the card, Karl Roberson and Marvin Vettorilook to settle their grudge match when the two middleweights finally meet in the Octagon. UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN^®: EYE vs. CALVILLO will be the first of three events taking place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas on June 13, 20 and 27 respectively; details of future cards will be announced at a later date. These events will be closed to the public and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN^®: EYE vs. CALVILLO will take place Saturday, June 13 UFC Apex in Las Vegas. All bouts will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes in English and Spanish, and be simulcast on ESPN+, beginning with the prelims at 6 p.m. ET and the main card at 9 p.m. ET.

One of the toughest competitors in all of women’s MMA, Eye (15-7 1NC, fighting out of Cleveland, Ohio) intends to defend her spot at the top of the flyweight rankings and work her way back to another shot at the title. Experiencing a career resurgence since moving to flyweight, Eye has netted impressive wins over Jessica-Rose Clark, Katlyn Chookagian and Viviane Araujo. She now looks to spoil the 125-pound debut of Calvillo in her first UFC main event.

A standout in the UFC women’s strawweight division ever since her debut in 2017, Calvillo (8-1-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) aims to make a statement in her first fight at flyweight. One of the top prospects in women’s MMA, Calvillo established herself with notable victories over Cortney Casey, Joanne Calderwood and Pearl Gonzalez. She now looks to finally compete at her full potential and build a case for her first UFC title shot.

A veteran of Dana White’s Contender Series, Roberson (9-2, fighting out of Neptune, N.J.) looks to extend the longest winning streak of his UFC career with another signature finish. A well-rounded prospect with a variety of finishes both on the feet and the ground, Roberson has earned stoppages over Ryan Spann, Darren Stewart and Roman Kopylov. He now aims to be the first person to ever finish Vettori and break into the middleweight top 15.

Long considered to be one of the dark horses of the middleweight division, Vettori (14-4-1, fighting out of Mezzocorona, Italy) looks to secure a signature win to catapult him into the rankings. Arguably the top Italian prospect in the UFC, Vettori holds wins over Vitor Miranda, Cezar Ferreira and Andrew Sanchez. He now seeks to earn his third win in a row and work his way towards a rematch with champion Israel Adesanya.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Top featherweight prospects battle as Andre Fili (20-7, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) takes on Charles Jourdain (10-2, fighting out of Quebec, Canada)
• Merab Dvalishvili (10-4, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y.) and Ray Borg (13-5, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) meet in a clash of bantamweight grapplers
• Bantamweight action sees Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Jordan Espinosa (14-7, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) take on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Mark De La Rosa (11-4, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas)
• Hannah Cifers (10-5, fighting out of Kittrell, N.C.) sees a quick return to action when she meets Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Mariya Agapova (8-1, fighting out of Pavlodar Province, Kazakhstan)
• Charles Rosa (12-4, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) and Kevin Aguilar (17-3, fighting out of Longview, Texas) look to get back into the win column at lightweight
• In the women’s bantamweight division, Julia Avila (7-1, fighting out of Oklahoma City, Okla.) welcomes Gina Mazany (5-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) back to the UFC.
• Tyson Nam (18-11-1, fighting out of Wahiawa, Hawaii) meets UFC newcomer Zarrukh Adashev (3-1, fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y.) at flyweight
• In a featherweight bout all but guaranteed to deliver action, Jordan Griffin (18-7, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) takes on Darrick Minner (24-11, fighting out of Nebraska City, Neb.)
• UFC newcomers Anthony Ivy (8-2, fighting out of San Antonio, Texas) and Christian Aguilera (13-6, fighting out of Brea, Calif.) look to make a statement at welterweight

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 80 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com. It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

LAS VEGAS and ABU DHABI – UFC^®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that the much-anticipated UFC FIGHT ISLANDÔ events will be held on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, one of the emirate’s most popular leisure, shopping and entertainment destinations.

UFC will produce four events on Yas Island, including one Pay Per View, UFC^® 251, and three Fight Nights.  The action-packed schedule begins with UFC 251 on Saturday, July 11, and will be followed with successive Fight Nights on Wednesday, July 15; Saturday, July 18; and Saturday, July 25.  Details for each event, including fight cards, will be announced in coming weeks. 

To accommodate existing public health guidelines, DCT Abu Dhabi will create a safety zone within the nearly ten square mile (25 km²) Yas Island that will include an arena, hotel, training facilities, and dining establishments.  This safety zone will only be open to UFC athletes and their coaches; UFC staff and other event personnel; and Yas Island employees who are necessary to ensure the operation of the facilities.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our partnership with the UFC, now in its second year, has proved to be one of our most successful ventures in recent years. Thanks to their commitment and cooperation, we are proud to announce that Abu Dhabi will host the first ever “Fight Island” event, marking the long-awaited return of UFC fights to the global stage.”

He added: “We have worked closely with all government entities in Abu Dhabi to ensure that the staging of this historic event complies with the highest standards of safety for the athletes, coaches, and all UFC personnel as well as the safety of our community. This year, Abu Dhabi has successfully proven its ability to handle all challenges and promote the well-being of its visitors and residents; and today, we are here to showcase the best that our capital has to offer, as we look forward to opening our doors once again to the world.”

UFC President Dana White commented: “We came up with the idea of having fights on ‘Fight Island’ because we needed a destination to hold international events during the global pandemic.  Abu Dhabi has been an amazing location to hold fights over the past ten years and it is the perfect place for these events. The infrastructure we are building will be such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the fighters that’s never been done before – from the arena, the private training facility, and the Octagon on the island – it’s going to be an experience that none of us will ever forget. I can’t wait to deliver amazing fights from Yas island.”

In 2019, UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi entered into a groundbreaking five-year partnership to bring UFC events to the emirate.  UFC^® 242: KHABIB VS. POIRIER, the first event held under the new agreement, attracted more than 14,000 fans to Yas Island last September.  The agreement to bring UFC FIGHT ISLAND to Abu Dhabi is an expansion of the original five-year partnership between UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi.

UFC FIGHT ISLAND events will air live on global broadcasters around the world and on Pay-Per-View in select markets.  UFC events are broadcast in 175 countries and territories in 40 different languages and reach approximately one billion TV households. 

In the UAE and throughout the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, UFC content is streamed on UFC Arabia app, UFC’s first Arabic-language streaming subscription service in the region.  ‘UFC Arabia’ app can be downloaded through Apple Store and Google Play and is available on web, smart phone, tablets and Smart TVs.

Prior to 2019, UFC held events in Abu Dhabi in 2010 and 2014, including its first-ever outdoor event, UFC^® 112: INVINCIBLE, in April 2010, and UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: NOGUEIRA vs. NELSON in April 2014.

A full line of UFC FIGHT ISLAND products, including t-shirts, hats, water bottles, tote bags, and more are available now on UFCStore.com.

– ENDS –

About UFC^®
UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes, representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading streaming service for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor and strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.     

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

Follow all the action as it happens as Amanda Nunes defends the UFC Featherweight title against Felicia Spencer.  Two big bantamweights featuring former champion Cody Garbrandt fights Raphael Assuncao and Aljamain Sterling battles Cory Sandhagen

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Round 1 Right from Nunes..Right..Spencer swelling around right eye..Nunes takes Spencer down…Nunes lands a knee to the body..Elbow..Spencer cut on her forehead..Hard elbow by Nunes..Nunes outlanded Spencer 20-1.

Round 2 Right from Nunes…Jab from Spencer..Low kick from Nunes..Right from Spencer..Nunes takes down Spencer..Big elbows by Nunes..Spinning elbow..High kick from Spencer

Round 3 Knee from Spencer..Right From Nunes…good elbow…hard rights knocks Spencer’s mouthpiece out…Hard right to the body..Head kick..Right hand and uppercut..Front Kick..Low kick..jab ..right hand

Round 4 Hard right from Nunes..Takedown..Lead elbow..Spinningback kick to the body..Leg Kick..2 hard rights..Right hand gets Spencer down..Choke attempt…Spencer with a hematoma on forehead…108-31 strikes for Nunes

Round 5 Left from Nunes

50-44; 50-44 AND 50-45 FOR NUNES

Round 1 Redness on left leg of Assuncao..Straight right from Garbrandt..Counter from Assuncao..Left from Garbrandt

Round 2 Kick to head by Garbrandt..Right from Assuncao..Clean right from Garbrandt

Round 1 Martin gets the back of Magny..Right from Martin..Good low kick by Magny..Jab..Magney outlanded Martin 20-9
Round 2 Good right from Martin..Magny seems a little shaken…Martin takes Magny down..Magny lands a right..Exchanging low kicks…Magney up 47-22 in Strikes
Round 3 Right from Magny..Nice right..Good right..Big right from Martin…87-39 in Strikes for Magny

30-27 twice and 29-28 for Neil Magny

Round 1 O MALLEY LANDS A BOOMING RIGHT TO THE JAW AND WINELAND IS KNOCKED OUT

Amanda Nunes added to her legacy as the greatest Female fighter of all time as she beat up, bloodied and battered Felicia Spencer and won a unanimous decision to retain her featherweight title at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Nunes showed incredible versatility as she landed at will, weather it was right hands, left hands, leg kicks, body kick, front kicks, take downs and even a choke attempt.

Spencer was cut on her forehead as early as round one, and she showed incredible heart, but Nunes continued to wail away on her. In round four, Spencer suffered a big Hematoma on her forehead, and the fight very well could have been stopped anytime in the last seen minutes. With the fight no longer in doubt, Nunes kept Spencer down for most of round five.

Nunes outanded Spencer 127-37 and 6-0 in takedowns.

Nunes, 145 lbs of Bahia, BRA won by scores of 50-44 twice and 50-45, and the current two-division champion is 20-4. Spencer, 144.5 lbs of Orlando, Fla via Montreal is 8-2.

Cody Grabrandt scored an emphatic knockout of Raphael Assuncao just as the 2nd round bell sounded in their bantamweight fight.

It was an even fight before Garbrandt landed a crushing right that sent Assuncao down face-first just as the horn sounded to end the 2nd frame.

Garbrandt, 136 lbs of Sacramento, CA is now 12-3. Assuncao, 136 lbs of Brazil is 27-8.

In a battle of top-4 Bantamweights, Aljamain Sterling made his case for a world title shot by tapping out Cory Sandhagen in the 1st round.

Sterling got Sandhagen down and immediately got his back for a choke. After Sandhagen momentarily got out, Sterling got Sandhagen in another choke that made Sandhagen tap at 1:@4.

Sterling, 136 lbs of Uniondale, NY is 19-3. Sandhagen, 135.5 lbs of Aurora, CO is 12-2.

Neil Magny won a unanimous decision over Anthony Rocco Martin in a welterweight bout.

Magny, 171 lbs of Denver won by scores of 30-27 twice and 28-28 and is now 23-7. Martin, 170.5 lbs of St. Cloud, MN is 17-6.

Sean O’Malley scored a devastating 1st round stoppage over Eddie Wineland in bantamweight out.

O’Malleyt landed a booming right to the jaw that sent Wineland down and out at 1:54.

O’Malley is 12-0. Wineland is 24-14-1.

Alex Caceras won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Chase Hooper in a featherweight bout.

Caceras, 146 lbs of Miami won by scores of 30-27 on all cards, and is now 16-12-1. Hooper, 145.5 lbs of Washington is 9-1-1.

Ian Heinisch stopped Gerald Meerschaert in the 1st round of their middleweight bout.

Heinisch landed a hard right that dropped Meerschaert. Heinisch jumped on Meerschaert and the fight was stopped at 1:14.

Heinisch, 185.5 lbs of Denver, CO is now 14-3. Meerschaert, 185.5 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 30-13.

Cody Stamann won a unanimous decision over Brian Kelleher in a featherweight bout.

Stamann, 145.5 lbs of Sparta, MI won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is now 19-2-1. Kelleher, 146 lbs of Selden, NY is now 21-11.

Maki Pitolo stopped Charles Byrd in the 2nd round of their middleweight bout.

In round two, Pitolo landed a left that hurt Byrd. Pitolo followed up with body shots that led to a takedown. Pitolo landed several hammer shots and the fight was stopped at 1:10.

Pitolo, 185.5 lbs of Mahaka, HI is 14-5. Byrd, 184.5 lbs of Dallas, TX is 10-7.

Alex Perez stopped Jussier Formiga in the 1st round in a battle of top-10 flyweights.

In round one, Formiga started to swell on his left leg sue to some leg kicks from Perez. Also in the round, Formiga was swelling on the right side of his face. Perez continued to hurt Formiga with leg kicks until he landed one more big one that sent Formiga down in pain, and the fight was stopped at 4:06.

Perez, 126 lbs of Lemore, CA is 24-5. Formiga, 126 lbs of Perez is 23-8.

Devin Clark won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Alonzo Menifield in a light heavyweight bout.

Clark, 205.5 lbs of Sioux Falls, SD won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 12-4. Menifield, 205 lbs of Dallas, TX is 9-1.

Herbert Burns choked out Evan Dunham in the opening round of their catchweight bout.

Burns took Dunham down and got a body triangle which led to a rear naked choke that Dunham tapped at 1:20.

Burns, 149.5 lbs of Brazil is 11-2. Dinham, 149.5 lbs of Las Vegas is 18-9-1.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX in Las Vegas with a thrilling women’s featherweight championship bout that will see No. 1 ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter Amanda Nunes defend her featherweight belt against top contender Felicia Spencer. In a blockbuster bantamweight bout, No. 5 ranked contender Raphael Assuncao battles former champion and No. 9 ranked Cody Garbrandt.

UFC^® 250: NUNES vs. SPENCER will take place Saturday, June 6 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas and will stream live on Pay-Per-View, exclusively through ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT in both English and Spanish.

ESPN+ is the exclusive provider of all UFC Pay-Per-View events to fans in the U.S. as part of an agreement announced in 2019.

Fans will be able to purchase UFC^® 250: NUNES vs. SPENCER online at ESPNPlus.com/PPV or on the ESPN App on mobile and connected-TV devices. ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App on all major mobile and connected TV devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire, Apple, Android, Chromecast, PS4, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, X Box One and more.

Preliminary fights will air nationally in English on ESPN and on ESPN Deportes (in Spanish) starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the early prelims simulcast on UFC Fight Pass, ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes (in Spanish) at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT.

The greatest women’s fighter of all-time, Nunes (19-4, fighting out of Coral Springs, Fla. by way of Bahia, Brazil) looks to continue cementing her legacy by securing her first successful featherweight title defense. Throughout her storied career, Nunes has delivered spectacular first-round finishes against Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm and Miesha Tate. Nunes now looks for another show-stealing performance to further etch her name in the history books.

A former Invicta FC featherweight champion, Spencer (8-1, fighting out of Orlando, Fla. by way of Montreal, Canada) aims to send shockwaves throughout the sports world by dethroning Nunes. A talented grappler, the Canadian-born submission specialist has delivered spectacular finishes against Megan Anderson, Zarah Fairn and Pam Sorenson. Spencer now aims to capture her first UFC championship by handing Nunes her first loss in over five years.

A perennial bantamweight contender, Assuncao (27-7, fighting out of Alpharetta, Ga. by way of Recife, Brazil) has fought the top names at 135 pounds in the UFC. A talented Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he has earned impressive wins against TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes, Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz. He looks to add another former champion to his resume and re-assert himself as a title threat.

Former champion Garbrandt (11-3, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) turned heads by winning his first 11 consecutive outings and dethroning long-time champion Dominick Cruz in 2016. Over the course of his career, he has netted memorable KO wins against Thomas Almeida, Takeya Mizugaki and Augusto Mendes. He looks to take his next step back into title contention with another highlight-reel finish.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• In a pivotal bantamweight bout with title implications, No. 2 ranked contender Aljamain Sterling (18-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) takes on No. 4 Cory Sandhagen (12-1, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.)
• Neil Magny (22-8, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) squares off with Anthony Rocco Martin (17-5, fighting out of St. Cloud, Minn.) in a thrilling welterweight contest
• Former WEC bantamweight champion Eddie Wineland (24-13-1, fighting out of Chesterton, Ind.) locks horns with undefeated upstart Sean O’Malley (11-0, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.)
• In an exciting featherweight bout, Alex Caceres (15-12 1NC, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) takes on undefeated Chase Hooper (9-0-1, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.)
• Ian Heinisch (13-3, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) squares off with Gerald Meerschaert (30-12, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) in an entertaining middleweight bout
• Cody Stamann (18-2-1, fighting out of Sparta, Mich.) takes on Brian Kelleher (21-10, fighting out of Selden, N.Y.) in an intriguing featherweight bout
• Charles Byrd (10-6, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) meets Maki Pitolo (11-5, fighting out of M?kaha, Hawaii) in a clash of middleweight finishers
• In a battle of flyweight contenders, No. 4 ranked Jussier Formiga (23-7, fighting out of Natal, Brazil) faces No. 9 Alex Perez (23-5, fighting out of Leemoore, Calif.)
• Alonzo Menifield (10-0, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) looks to remain undefeated when he takes on tough Devin Clark (11-4, fighting out of Sioux Falls, S.D.)
• Evan Dunham (18-7-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) returns against Herbert Burns (10-2, fighting out of Lantana, Fla. by way of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a 150-pound catchweight bout

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

About Disney’s Direct-To-Consumer & International

Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment includes Disney’s international media operations stretching from Europe to Asia to Latin America and the Company’s direct-to-consumer streaming businesses, including Hulu, Hotstar, ESPN+, and the recently launched Disney+ service. DTCI also manages global advertising sales and ad technology for Disney media properties which include ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX Networks, National Geographic, and the Disney Channels. The Company’s media distribution operations are also part of the Direct-to-Consumer & International business segment.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Gilbert Burns got the biggest win of his career as he dominated former welterweigh champion Tyron Woodley over five round to rack up an easy unanimous decision at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

In round one, Woodley was dropped and cut above the left eye. Burns landed three-times the amount of strikes and had two take-downs as Woodley seemed faded and was never in the fight.

Burns, 170 1/2 lbs of Brazil, who came in with a number-four ranking, won by scores of 50-45 and 50-44 twice to raise his mark to 19-3. Woodley, 170 1/2 lbs of Saint Louis, MO is 19-5-1.

Augusto Sakai won a split decision over Blagoy Ivanov in a heavyweight bout.

Sakai, 259 1/2 lbs of Brazil won two cards by 29-28 tallies. Ivanov won a card 30-27.

Sakai is 15-1-1. Ivanov, 255 1/2 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 18-4-1.

Billy Quarantillo won a unanimous decision over Spike Carlyle in an action filled 150 lb catchweight bout.

Quarantillo, 149.5 lbs of Tampa, FL won by scores of 29-28 on all cards, and is now 14-2. Carlyle, 150 lbs of Del Mar, CA is 9-2.

Roosevelt Roberts submitted Brok Weaver in round two of their lightweight bout.

Roberts dominated and was able to finish Weaver with a rear-naked choke at 3:26.

Roberts, 156 lbs of San Bernadino, CA is 10-1. Weaver. 157.5 lbs of Micintosh, AL is 15-5.

Mackenzie Dern submitted Hannah Cifers in the 1st round of their strawweight bout.

Cifers landed some punches early, and was even attempting Ground and Pound on Dern when Dern was able to take Cifers down with a leg-lock that made Cifers tap at 2:36.

Dern, 115.5 lbs of Long Beach, CA is 8-1. Cifers, 115.5 lbs of Wake Forest, NC is 10-5.

Kaitlyn Chookagian got revenge, sort of as she beat up and battered Antonina Shevchenko in their flyweight bout.

Chookagian had Shevchenko on the ground and pounded away at her for most of the 15 minutes of the fight.

Chookagian who lost to Shevchenko’s sister, Valentina in a world title clash, got the revenge by scores of 30-25 on all cards.

Chookagian, 126 lbs of Amity Harbor, NY is 14-3. Shevchenko, 125.5 lbs of Kyrgyzstan is 8-2.

Daniel Rodriguez won a unanimous decision over Gabriel Green in a welterweight fight.

Rodriguez, 170 lbs of Alhambra, CA won by scores of 30-27 on all cards, and is now 12-1. Green, 170.5 lbs of San Pedro, CA is 9-3.

Jamahal Hill stopped Klidson Abreu in the opening round of their light heavyweight bout.

Hill dropped Abreu with a vicious knee, and then landed several punches with Abreu on the ground, and the bout was stopped at 1:51,

Hill, 205.5 lbs of Grand Rapids, MI is 8-0. Abreu, 206 lbs of Brazil is 15-5.

Brandon Royval choked out Tim Elliott in round two of their flyweight bout.

Elliott dominated the first round-plus with some solid takedowns, but in round two, Royval was able to turn the tide and get Elliott to tap out from a cArm-Triangle at 3:18.

Royval, 125.5 lbs of Englewood, CO is 11-4. Elliott, 126 lbs of Lee’s Summitt, MO is 15-11-1.

Casey Kenney choked out Louis Smolka in the 1st round of their bantamweight fight.

Kenney dropped Smolka with a left hook and was able to sub,it Smolka with a one-armed Guillotine at 3:03.

Kenney, 136 lbs of Tucson, AZ is 14-2-1. Smolka, 136 lbs of Kapolei, HI is 16-7.

Chris Gutierrez stopped Vince Morales in the 2nd round of their featherweight bout.

In round two, Gutierrez hurt Morales repeatedly with a plethora of leg kicks. Gutierrez continued to land low leg kicks that beat up the legs of Morales until the fight was stopped at 4:27.

Gutierrez, 145.5 lbs of Englewood, CO is 15-3. Morales, 145 lbs of Las Vegas is 9-5.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Las Vegas with a pivotal bout in the welterweight division as former champion and No. 1 ranked contender Tyron Woodley looks to work his way back to title contention by snapping the impressive winning streak of No. 6 Gilbert Burns.Also on the card, No. 2 ranked women’s flyweight contender Katlyn Chookagian aims to bounce back into the win column when she meets fellow striker No. 12 Antonina Shevchenko.This will be the first in a series of events set to take place at UFC’s Apex facility. Future cards will be announced at a later date. These events will be closed to the public and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance pursuant to a Health, Safety and Operations plan approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: WOODLEY vs. BURNS will take place Saturday, May 30 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. All bouts will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes in English and Spanish, and be simulcast on ESPN+, beginning with the prelims at 6 p.m. ET and the main card at 9 p.m. ET.

Looking to make an emphatic return to action, Woodley (19-4, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.) plans to remind the division of the skills that made him one of the most dominant champions in welterweight history. Competing for the first time in over a year, Woodley intends to add another signature win to his resume that already includes victories over Robbie Lawler, Stephen Thompson and Demian Maia. He now aims to make a statement and stake his claim for another title shot.

Currently on the best winning streak of his UFC career, Burns (18-3, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) looks to secure his biggest victory yet. A multiple-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Burns has earned wins over fellow grapplers Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson and Olivier Aubin-Mercier. He now looks to take out his first former UFC champion and break into the top 5 of the division. 

Chookagian (13-3, fighting out of Kenilworth, N.J.) looks to take the lessons learned from her recent title bout and return to her winning ways. One of the most skilled strikers in the division, Chookagian has netted wins over Joanne Calderwood, Jennifer Maia and Irene Aldana. She now aims to defend her spot at the top of the rankings by defeating the sister of the champion. 

A multiple-time world champion in Muay Thai, Shevchenko (8-1, fighting out of Henderson, Nev.) aims to continue her climb up the women’s flyweight rankings. Despite being in the UFC for less than two years, Shevchenko has established herself as one of its top prospects with wins over Ji Yeon Kim and Lucie Pudilova. She now intends to replicate her sister’s victory over Chookagian and secure the biggest win of her MMA career.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: WOODLEY vs. BURNS is also stacked with up-and-coming talent looking to make their mark on the sport, including Billy Quarantillo (13-2, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.) and Spike Carlyle (9-1, fighting out of Del Mar, Calif.), who intend to build off their impressive debuts in a catchweight bout at 150 pounds. Additionally, in a clash of Dana White’s Contender Series standouts, Brok Weaver (14-4, fighting out of McIntosh, Ala.) and Roosevelt Roberts (10-1, fighting out of San Bernardino, Calif.) aim to prove that they are the next top prospect in the lightweight division.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• In a battle of heavyweight contenders seeking to break into the top 10, No. 12 Blagoy Ivanov (18-3 1NC, fighting out of Sofia, Bulgaria) aims to stop the rise of surging No. 13 Augusto Sakai (14-1-1, fighting out of Parana, Brazil)
• Submission ace Mackenzie Dern (7-1, fighting out of Long Beach, Calif.) faces Hannah Cifers (10-4, fighting out of Wake Forest, N.C.) in a women’s strawweight bout
• Jamahal Hill (7-0, fighting out of Grand Rapids, Mich.) aims to remain undefeated when he meets Klidson Abreu (15-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)
• No.11 ranked flyweight contender Timothy Elliott (16-10-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) squares off with UFC newcomer Brandon Royval (10-4, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.)
• Chris Gutierrez (14-3, fighting out of Littleton, Colo.) looks to secure his third win in a row when he takes on Vince Morales (9-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
• Exciting bantamweight grapplers meet as Louis Smolka (16-6, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) battles Casey Kenney (9-2, fighting out of Tucson, Ariz.)
• In a welterweight bout, Daniel Rodriguez (11-1, fighting out of San Gabriel, Calif.) looks to remain undefeated in the UFC when he welcomes short-notice newcomer Gabriel Green (9-2, fighting out of Downey, Calif.)

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 80 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman has been named to the UFC Hall of Fame class for 2020 as a Pioneer. The 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place later this year and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Kevin Randleman was one of the first real athletes in the early days of UFC,” UFC President Dana White said. “He was a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and All-American wrestler at The Ohio State University. He was the fifth heavyweight champion in UFC history and one of the first athletes to successfully compete at both heavyweight and light heavyweight. He was a pioneer of the sport and it’s an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020.”

Randleman will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 17^th member of the Pioneer Era wing. The Pioneers Era category includes athletes who turned professional before November 17, 2000 (when the unified rules of mixed martial arts were adopted), are a minimum age of 35, or have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 33 professional fights during his 15-year career, Randleman compiled a record of 17-16 (4-3, UFC), including wins over UFC Hall of Famer Maurice Smith, UFC^®23: ULTIMATE JAPAN 2 middleweight tournament champion Kenichi Yamamoto and 2006 PRIDE FC world open-weight grand prix champion Mirko Cro Cop.

Randleman made his UFC debut on March 5, 1999 at UFC^® 19: ULTIMATE YOUNG GUNS in Bay St. Louis, Missouri, defeating Maurice Smith via unanimous decision. His victory earned him an immediate title shot for the vacant UFC heavyweight title against future UFC Hall of Famer and three-time King of Pancrase champion Bas Rutten in the main event of UFC^® 20: BATTLE FOR THE GOLD. Kevin entered the bout with a 7-2 record against the veteran Rutten, who stepped inside the Octagon^® with a 26-4-1 record, having won 19 of his previous 20 fights (1 Draw).

UFC^® 20: BATTLE FOR THE GOLD took place on May 7, 1999 in Birmingham, Alabama. As the fight began, Randleman immediately secured his first takedown. Kevin maintained top control while landing a barrage of punches that broke Rutten’s nose within the first five minutes, momentarily stopping the action for doctors to evaluate his condition. After Bas was deemed able to continue, Randleman immediately took Rutten back to the canvas, trading punches for 10 minutes, until referee John McCarthy halted action so doctors could address the heavy bleeding from Rutten’s nose.

Rutten would spend the majority this event fighting and throwing punches from his back, which resulted in Bas landing numerous strikes to Randleman’s head. At the end of regulation, with no winner declared, both athletes advanced to fight for three additional three-minute overtime rounds. Randleman seemed to control two of three rounds, but following 21 minutes of action, Rutten was declared the winner via split decision. This split decision loss is still considered one of the most controversial decisions in UFC history.

Rutten would later vacate the title, giving Randleman a chance to compete for the vacant UFC heavyweight title against Pete Williams at UFC 23. 

Randleman had a personal interest in this matchup, as Williams had recently defeated Kevin’s friend, trainer and coach, future UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman, one year earlier at UFC^® 17: REDEMPTION. Known as “The Kick Heard Round the World” this fight was later inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing in 2016.

UFC^®23: ULTIMATE JAPAN 2 took place on November 19, 1999 in Tokyo, Japan. At the beginning of the match, Randleman quickly advanced to the center of the Octagon, hitting Williams with several punches before securing his first takedown at the 10-second mark. Randleman controlled the action during the majority of the first round, until Williams rocked Kevin with a series of punches in the late frame.

Randleman recovered for the start of the second round, taking Williams down repeatedly and controlling the pace of the action through the remaining four rounds. Kevin’s numerous takedowns proved to be the deciding factor to winning the fight via unanimous decision and becoming the fifth heavyweight champion in UFC history.

Next, Randleman would successfully defend his title by defeating Pedro Rizzo at UFC^®26: ULTIMATE FIELD OF DREAMS, which took place on June 9, 2000 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With his victory, he became just the second UFC heavyweight champion to make a successful title defense. Kevin took a four-month break before returning to action to face future UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture on November 17, 2000 as the main event of UFC^®28: HIGH STAKES. Randleman would lose the title to Couture, then split his last two fights before leaving the organization after defeating former Strikeforce^® light heavyweight champion Renato Sobral at UFC^®35: THROWDOWN. He would continue to compete at both light heavyweight and heavyweight in other promotions until retiring in 2011.

During his MMA career, Randleman was known for his power and speed, as he recorded nine knockout victories and nine first round stoppages. A world-class wrestler at all levels, he also secured the second-most takedowns (21) during the time frame in which he competed in UFC from 1999-2002 (Tito Ortiz, 29).

Throughout his MMA career, Randleman consistently competed against the best of the best, including 13 athletes that collectively captured 13 UFC, six King of Pancrase and three PRIDE FC championships, along with individual titles in Strikeforce^® and World Extreme Cagefighting^®, respectively. Randleman also used his combat sports notoriety to compete as a professional wrestler with domestic and international promotions from 2002-07.

A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Randleman began wrestling in high school, compiling a record of 122-11 and capturing the Ohio state HS championship in 1989. He went on to wrestle at Ohio State University, where he was a three-time Big Ten and two-time NCAA Division I Champion in 1992-93. He passed away at the age of 44 in 2016 due to complications from pneumonia and is survived by his wife and four children.

Additional inductees into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2020 will be announced in the coming weeks.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

Alistair Overeem stopped Walt Harris in round two of their heavyweight main event at the VyStar Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.

In the opening minute, Harris landed some heavy shots that sent Overrem to the ground. A heavy onslaught of Ground and Pound opened up a cut over the left eye of Overeem. Overeem was able to turn the tide as he got the back of Harris. In round two, Overeem sent Harris down with a big right hand. Overeem began to pound Harris on the ground. After about 20 shots the fight was stopped at 3:00.

Overeem, 253.5 lbs of Amsterdam, Netherlands, will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, and now has a record of 46-18-1. Harris, 264.5 lbs om Homewood, AL was making the the 1st appearance since the murder of his stepdaughter, and now has a record of 13-8-1.

Claudia Gadelha won a split decision over Angela Hill in a strawweight bout.

Gadelha fought through a cut over her right eye, took two cards 29-28. Hill took a card 29-28.

Gadelha, 115.5 lbs of Brazil is now 18-4. Hill, 115 lbs of San Diego, CA is 12-8.

Dan Ige won a split decision over Edson Barboza in a featherweight fight.

Barboza had a hemotoma under his left eye and was bleeding. Ige won two cards 29-28. Barboza took a card 29-28.

Ige, 146 lbs of Hawaii is now 14-2. Barboza, 145.5 lbs of Brazil is 20-9.

Krzystof Jotko won a unanimous decision over Eryk Anders in a middleweight bout.

Jotko, 185.5 lbs of Poland won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 22-4. Anders, 186 lbs of Birmingham, AL is 13-5.

In an action packed featherweight bout, Song Yadong won a unanimous decision over Marlon Vera.

Both guys landed good shots with Yadong landing punches, Vera did well with kicks and two takedowns, but Yadong won by scores of 29-28 on all cards.

Yadong, 145.5 lbs of China is 16-4-1-1. Vera, 145.5 lbs of Ecuador is 15-6-1.

Miguel Baeza remained perfect by knocking out Matt Brown in the 2nd round of their welterweight bout.

Both guys were rocked and knocked down in the 1st round. Seconds into the 2nd frame, Baeza landed a left hook that knocked down/ Baeza jumped on Brown and grzed him with a punch and the fight was stopped at 18 seconds.

Baeza, 170.5 lbs of Davie, FL is 9-0. Brown, 171 lbs of Columbus, OH is 24-17.

Kevin Holland needed just 39 seconds to take out Anthony Hernandez in a middleweight fight.

Holland landed a knee to the solar plexes that sent Hernandez down. Holland landed eight unanswered punches on the ground, and the fight was stopped.

Holland, 182.5 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 17-5. Hernandez, 185.5 lbs of Dunnigan, CA is 7-2-1.

Giga Chikadze won a unanimous decision over Irwin Garcia in a featherweight bout.

Chikadze, 145.5 lbs of The Republic of Georgia won by scores of 30-26 and 30-27 twice and is now 10-2. Rivera, 145.5 lbs of Hudson Valley, NY is 9-5.

Nate Landwehr won a unanimous decision over Darren Elkins in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Elkins was cut around the right eye. In round two, Elkins was bleeding bad from his forehead. The doctor had to check him in the middle of the round.

Landwehr, 146 lbs of Clarksville, TN won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 to raise his record to 14-3. Elkins, 146 lbs of Portag, IN is 25-9.

Conrtney Casey made Mara Romero Borella in the 1st round of their flyweight bout.

While on her back, Casey was able to sink in an armbar that made Borella tap at 3:36.

Casey, 126 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 9-7. Borella, 125.5 lbs of Italy is 12-8-2.

Rodrigo Nascimento made Don’Tale Mayes tap in the 2nd round of their heavyweight bout.

Nascimento was able to apply a rear-naked choke that forced Mayes to tap at 2:05 of round two.

Nascimento, 255 lbs of Brazil is 8-0. Mayes, 241 lbs of Louisville, KY is 7-4.

Glover Teixeira beat up, battered and eventually stopped Anthony Smith in the 5th and final round of their light heavyweight bout at the VyStar Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.

In round one, Teixeira was cut over his left eye. Smith continued to land heavy blows in round two that swelled up that eye.

Teixeira landed some vicious shots in the 3rd and had Smith in trouble, and close to being stopped in the 3rd. Teixeira pounded away at a bloody Smith for much of the round while Smith could only cover up on the ground,. Round four was much of the same as Teixeira beat up Smith with much of it being on the ground where Teixeira landed countless blows to the head.

Finally in round five, Teixeira got Smith on the ground and pounded away at a prone Smith, and the fight was mercifully stopped at 1:04. The fight could have been stopped in between rounds, and Smith lost at least one tooth.

Teixeira, 205 1/2 lbs of Danbury, CT is 31-7. Smith, 205 lbs of Omaha, NE is 32-15.

Ben Rothwell won a split decision over Ovince Saint Preux in a heavyweight bout.

In round two, Saint Preux began to bleed from his nose. The fight was a toe to toe brawl at times that had Rothwell winning 29-28 on two cards, and Saint Preux take a card 29-28.

Rothwell, 265 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 38-12. Saint Preux, 240 1/2 lbs of Knoxville, TN is 24-14.

Drew Dober stopped Alexander Hernandez in the 2nd round of their lightweight fight.

After a fairly even 1st round that saw , Hernandez get cut over his left eye from punches landed by Dober, Dober landed some vicious punches that hurt Hernandez several times in the 2nd frame. Hernandez desperately was successful on a couple of takedowns, but he was too hurt to sustain any type of ground advantage. Hernandez got to his feet, but was hurt by a couple of vicious shots, and the fight was stopped at 4:25.

Dober, 156 lbs of Denver, CO is 23-9-1. Hernandez, 155 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 11-3.

Ricky Simon won a split decision over former title challenger Ray Borg in a bantamweight fight.

Simon, 135 lbs of Vancouver, WA won by two scores of 29-28; Borg won a card 29-28.

Simon is now 16-3. Borg, 135 1/2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 13-5.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski won a unanimous decision over Phillipe Linz in a heavyweight bout.

Arlovski, 238 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 29-19-2. Linz, 236 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 14-4.

Thiago Moises made Michael Johnson tap in round two of their lightweight bout.

Johnson had a good round one, but Moises came out early in round two to take Johnson down, and eventually get him in a leg lock that made Johnson tap at 25 seconds.

Moises, 155 1/2 lbs of Sao Paulo. BRA is 13-4. Johnson 156 lbs of Boca raton, FL is 20-16.

Sijara Eubanks won a unanimous decision over Sarah Moras in a bantamweight bout.

Eubanks won by scores of 30-27 twice and 30-26, and is now 5-4. Moras is 6-6.

Omar Morales remained undefeated with a unanimous decision over Gabriel Benitez in a lightweight fight.

Morales won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice to go to 10-0. Benitez is 21-8.

Brian Kelleher stopped previously undefeated Hunter Azure in round two of their featherweight bout.

Kelleher landed a a booming left hook in round two that dropped Azure hard on his back. Kelleher landed two more crushing blows on a defenseless Azure, and the bout was stopped at 3:40.

Kelleher, 145 1/2 lbs of Seldin, NY is 21-10. Azure, 145 lbs of Phoenix, AZ.

Chase Sherman stopped Ike Villanueva in the 2nd round of their heavyweight bout.

Sherman backed Villanueva back against the cage in round two, and landed a short but vicious elbow to the chin that sent Villanueva down, and the fight was stopped at 49 seconds.

Sherman, 253 lbs of Mississippi is now 15-6. Villanueva, 232 lbs of Houston is 16-10.

NEW YORK – May 13, 2020 – SHOWTIME Sports announced today its new mixed martial arts series, MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS, which features hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell reliving some of the most memorable STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME^® fights, along with all-new interviews and analysis from legendary combat sports analyst Mauro Ranallo and Bellator MMA President and STRIKEFORCE founder Scott Coker. The new series will premiere on SHOWTIME EXTREME Thursday, May 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and will also be available via the SHOWTIME streaming service and SHOWTIME ANYTIME^®.

The MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS series will feature some of MMA’s biggest names over the coming months, including all-time greats Frank Shamrock, Gilbert Melendez and Daniel Cormier.

“I am extremely proud of what we accomplished with STRIKEFORCE and our partners at SHOWTIME,” Coker said. “We helped build some of the sport’s biggest stars and promoted some of the most incredible events that mixed martial arts had ever seen. The fact that these moments are still being discussed to this day shows what type of impact STRIKEFORCE had on the industry. I am excited that SHOWTIME is providing fans the opportunity to relive these classic matchups that helped make the organization what it was.”

This Thursday’s MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS episode will feature Frank “The Legend” Shamrock and the three final fights of his legendary career. In 2007, Shamrock won the first STRIKEFORCE Middleweight world title belt against Phil Baroni in the first STRIKEFORCE co-produced mixed martial arts event on SHOWTIME PPV^®. In 2008, he suffered a loss to Cung Le in which Le broke Shamrock’s arm. Also in the spotlight will be Shamrock’s final career fight against Nick Diaz in 2009, which kicked off a run of nine STRIKEFORCE events on SHOWTIME that year.

The Melendez-Josh Thomson trilogy will be featured on Thursday, May 21, and three of Daniel Cormier’s STRIKEFORCE HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX wins will air on Thursday, May 28.

Founded in 2006 by Coker, STRIKEFORCE MMA traces its roots back to 1985 starting as a regional kickboxing promotion. STRIKEFORCE was a launchpad for future champions such as Cormier, Robbie Lawler, Gina Carano, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Luke Rockhold and Tyron Woodley.

The MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS on SHOWTIME EXTREME schedule for the month of May is below with more episodes to follow in June:

• Thursday, May 14, 10 p.m. ET/PT: 
  • Shamrock vs. Baroni (June 22, 2007) – Baroni wastes little time from the start but is eventually worn down by a relentless Shamrock ground attack. The finish comes by way of technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:00 of round two, crowning Shamrock the inaugural STRIKEFORCE Middleweight Champion.

• Shamrock vs. Cung Le – (March 29, 2008) – In the 2008 “Fight of the Year,” Le controls the fight early with Shamrock making a commendable run late in the third round. A brutal kick from Le’s left leg breaks Shamrock’s arm, ending the bout after three five-minute championship rounds and earning Le the STRIKEFORCE Middleweight World Title.

• Shamrock vs.  Diaz – (April 11, 2009) – Diaz dominates the veteran Shamrock, earning a TKO (punches) at 3:57 of the second round. The victory is one of 11 that Diaz earned over the course of a four-year undefeated stint in which he would later secure and defend the STRIKEFORCE Welterweight World Title.

• Thursday, May 21, 10 p.m. ET/PT:
  • Melendez vs. Thomson I – (June 27, 2008) – After claiming the STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Championship nearly two years earlier, Melendez is dethroned for the first time in his young career. Thomson is able to keep Melendez guessing all night, using tactical jabs and an elite ground game to control the former 155-pound world titleholder.

o    Melendez vs. Thomson II – (December 19, 2009) – Melendez avenges his first loss to Thomson with a unanimous decision victory. He dominates all five rounds using a combination of his elite ground game and knockout power to win and unify the STRIKEFORCE Lightweight World Title. Earning the 2009 Sports Illustrated “Round of the Year,” the fifth and final round of the contest will forever be remembered as one of the all-time greatest slugfests in MMA history.

• Melendez vs. Thomson III – (May 19, 2012) – Melendez survives a flurry of punches and a late takedown by Thomson at the end of the fourth, sending the rubber matchto a decisive final round. In the end, it is Melendez who defends his crown, as he holds off Thomson via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47), ending the epic trilogy with 25 minutes of war.

• Thursday, May 28, 10 p.m. ET/PT:
  • Cormier vs. Jeff Monson (June 18, 2011)– In a STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix reserve bout, the eventual tournament champion and MMA newcomer Cormier captures a unanimous decision (30-27) against the former world champion wrestler Monson. 

• Cormier vs. Antonio Silva (September 10, 2011)– The undefeated Cormier gives up over 10 inches in reach, seven inches in height, and about 40 pounds in weight to Brazilian heavyweight “Bigfoot” Silva, but that doesn’t stop him from dropping the larger man to the canvas just 45 seconds into the fight with an overhand right. A few minutes later, Cormier delivers a massive right uppercut, knocking Silva out at 3:56 into the opening round and advancing to the final of the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix.

• Cormier vs. Josh Barnett (May 19, 2012)– Cormier emerges the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament victorious with his 10^th consecutive professional victory. A jaw-dropping slam takedown by Cormier sets the stage for his early dominance. In the end, Barnett lasts all five championship rounds only to witness Cormier celebrate his new 265-pound world title.

For a limited time, new customers who sign up on SHOWTIME.com and the SHOWTIME app can take advantage of a 30-day free trial for the SHOWTIME streaming service, available on SHOWTIME.com and the SHOWTIME app on all supported devices.

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the class of 2020. The 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place later this year and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Georges St-Pierre is a pioneer of Canadian MMA who helped build the sport globally,” UFC President Dana White said. “He is the most famous athlete to ever come out of Canada and one of the greatest martial artists of all-time. We’re proud to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020.”

St-Pierre will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the Modern Wing, joining Forrest Griffin (2013), BJ Penn (2015), Urijah Faber (2017), Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael Bisping (2019) and Rashad Evans (2019) in this distinguished category. The “Modern Era” category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000 (when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held), are a minimum age of 35 or who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 28 fights during his 17-year career, St-Pierre compiled a record of 26-2 (20-2, UFC), which included wins over UFC Hall of Famers BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra and Michael Bisping. His record also includes victories over well-known opponents such as former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, former WEC^® welterweight champion Carlos Condit, former WEC^® and Strikeforce^® welterweight champion Nick Diaz and former Shooto welterweight and Strikeforce^® middleweight champion Jake Shields.  

St-Pierre made his UFC debut at UFC^® 46: SUPERNATURAL on January 31, 2004 in Las Vegas, defeating Karo Parisyan via unanimous decision. Georges returned to Las Vegas on June 19 to face Jay Hieron at UFC^® 48: PAYBACK, defeating Hieron via punches in the first round. The victory earned him his first title shot for the vacant UFC welterweight title against his fighting idol, Matt Hughes, at UFC 50. 

UFC^® 50: THE WAR OF ‘04 took place on October 22, 2004 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hughes, the former five-time UFC welterweight champion and veteran of 41 fights, stepped inside the Octagon^® with a goal of regaining the title he lost to Penn at UFC 46. St-Pierre, in awe of the future UFC Hall of Famer, suffered his first loss via armbar submission with seconds remaining in the first round.

St-Pierre returned to the Octagon to face former SuperBrawl welterweight champion Jason Miller at UFC^® 52: COUTURE vs. LIDDELL 2. He defeated Miller via unanimous decision to begin a four-fight winning streak in UFC where he defeated Frank Trigg, Sherk and Penn, earning a rematch against Hughes at UFC 65 with the UFC welterweight title on the line.

Hughes entered UFC 65 on an equally impressive six-fight winning streak, having defeated Penn, UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie, former WEC^® welterweight champion Joe Riggs, Trigg, St-Pierre and Renato Verissimo. During this winning streak, Hughes won five fights by TKO or submission, with four in the first round.

UFC^® 65: BAD INTENTIONS took place on November 18, 2006 in Sacramento, California. St-Pierre controlled the first round with a series of punches and kicks. He connected on a head kick with seconds remaining in the first, as the horn to end the round saved Hughes. Georges continued his dominance in the second round, landing punches for the first minute before connecting on a left head kick 77 seconds into the round, followed by a series of ground strikes to end the fight and become the new UFC welterweight champion.

After a stunning first-round loss to Matt Serra at UFC^® 69: SHOOTOUT, St-Pierre returned to the Octagon and defeated Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC^® 74: RESPECT. 

Georges would then embark on a six-year, 12-fight winning streak in which he would first capture the interim UFC welterweight title by defeating Hughes via submission at UFC^® 79: NEMESIS, then unify the title in a rematch with Serra in Montreal during UFC’s first-ever fight card in Canada, UFC^® 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2, which he won via TKO.

St-Pierre’s global popularity skyrocketed over the next three years as he secured consecutive victories over Jon Fitch, Penn, Thiago Alves, Dan Hardy and a second win over Koscheck, leading to one of the biggest fights in UFC history at UFC 129.

UFC^® 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS marked the first-ever sanctioned MMA event in the Province of Ontario. With St-Pierre, now one of the world’s most popular athletes, on an eight-fight winning streak, it was a perfect time for him to headline a card at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, one of the largest venues in the country. His opponent would be Jake Shields, unbeaten in six years with 15 consecutive wins.

St-Pierre would defeat Shields via unanimous decision, keeping his winning streak intact and furthering his claim as Canada’s most famous athlete. UFC 129 recorded a live gate of $12 million with a sellout crowd of 55,724 fans in attendance. The sellout crowd of 55,724 fans still stands as a North American record and serves as the third-largest crowd in UFC history.

St-Pierre would defend the UFC welterweight title three more times, defeating Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz and Johny Hendricks. Following his ninth successful title defense and 12^th consecutive victory, Georges took a hiatus from the sport in December 2013. At the time of this break, he held the records for most wins in title bouts with 12.

After a four-year hiatus, he returned to face UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping at UFC^® 217: BISPING vs. ST-PIERRE. Bisping entered the matchup on a five-fight winning streak that included wins over UFC^® 17: REDEMPTION middleweight tournament champion and former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson, and former UFC middleweight champions Luke Rockhold and Anderson Silva.

Both fighters would take turns controlling the match during the first two rounds, but St-Pierre outpaced Bisping in strikes, 74-58, submitting Bisping in the third round via rear-naked choke, capturing the UFC middleweight title. He would later vacate the title and retire. 

St-Pierre enter the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

• 1 of 7 fighters in UFC history with a title in two weight classes (welterweight / middleweight)

• 13 consecutive wins – Tied for 2^nd most in UFC history (2007-17)

• 13 title fight wins – 2^nd most in UFC history

• 20 wins – Tied for 3^rd most in UFC history

• 2,591 – Most strikes landed in UFC history

• 461 – Most significant ground strikes landed in UFC history

• 90 – Most takedowns in UFC history

Outside the Octagon, St-Pierre was honored with numerous awards, such as being named a three-time Rogers Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year (2008-10), Black Belt Magazine MMA Fighter of the Year (2008), Sports Illustrated Fighter of the Year (2009), MMA Junkie Fighter of the Year (2009), World MMA Awards Fighter of the Year (2009), Wrestling Observer Most Outstanding Fighter (2008-10), Wrestling Observer MMA Most Valuable Fighter (2011, 2013, 2017) and MMA Junkie Fighter of the Year (2017).

In January 2019, the UFC welterweight championship belt St-Pierre defended against Penn at UFC^® 94: ST-PIERRE vs. PENN 2, was acquired by the Canadian Museum of History, where it remains today for public display.

Since 2009, he has appeared in several films with roles / cameos in films such as Never Surrender (2009); Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014); Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016); and Cartels (2017). As part of UFC’s 25^th anniversary in 2018, St-Pierre was the subject of a UFC “25 Years In Short” documentary entitled: “Bully Proof: The Story of GSP’s Evolution from Bully Victim to UFC Badass.”

In 2009, he founded The Georges St-Pierre Foundation to help youth stop bullying and promote physical activity in schools. His foundation which provides grants to student-athletes competing in sports that helped hone his skills, such as boxing, fencing, judo, karate, Olympic wrestling, taekwondo and artistic gymnastics. His foundation supports Kids Help Phone, PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence) and Bullying.org.

In 2013, St-Pierre added author to his list of accomplishments when his biography entitled: “The Way of the Fight” was published by William Morrow. Written with Justin Kingsley, “The Way of the Fight” shared lessons on how he overcame bullying and injury to become an internationally celebrated athlete and champion.

A native of St. Isidore, Quebec, Canada, St-Pierre was introduced to Kyokushin Karate at the age of seven, after years of being bullied. Georges dedicated himself to martial arts and advanced to the level of 2^nd Dan black belt of Kyokushin Karate by the age of 12. Competing in the All-Canadian Open Junior Kumite Championships as a teenager, he advanced to the finals six consecutive years, capturing five titles. St-Pierre, who also holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, continues to train at Tristar Gym.

Additional inductees into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2020 will be announced in the coming weeks.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.