MMA event in 2021
UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson
(also known as
UFC on ESPN 24
and
UFC Vegas 26
) was a
mixed martial arts
event produced by the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
that took place on May 8, 2021, at the
UFC Apex
facility in
Enterprise, Nevada
, part of the
Las Vegas Metropolitan Area
, United States.
[2]
[3]
Background
[
edit
]
A bantamweight bout between former two-time
UFC Bantamweight Champion
T.J. Dillashaw
and
Cory Sandhagen
was expected to serve as the main event.
[4]
It would be Dillashaw's first fight since his two-year suspension due to testing positive for
recombinant human erythropoietin
(EPO), which resulted in his title vacancy.
[5]
[6]
However, Dillashaw announced on April 27 that he had to pull out of the fight due to a cut he received from a headbutt in training.
[7]
Sandhagen was removed from the card as well, with the pairing remaining intact and rescheduled at a future event.
[8]
A women's flyweight bout between former
Invicta FC Atomweight Champion
Michelle Waterson
and
Marina Rodriguez
served as the new main event instead.
[9]
The pairing usually fights at strawweight, but due to the short notice of the booking, they met at a weight class above.
[10]
A women's bantamweight bout between former
UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion
Holly Holm
and
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate
bantamweight winner
Julianna Pena
was scheduled for the event.
[11]
However, Holm was forced to withdraw from the bout citing
hydronephrosis
.
[12]
In turn, Pena was also removed from the card in favor of a title bout against current champion
Amanda Nunes
(also the
UFC Women's Featherweight Champion
) at
UFC 265
.
[13]
A heavyweight bout between
Ben Rothwell
and
Philipe Lins
was expected to take place at
UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad
, but it was canceled due to an injury to Rothwell.
[14]
The pairing was then rescheduled for this event.
[15]
While Rothwell made weight without issue, Lins never showed up to the weigh-ins and withdrew from the bout due to an illness.
[16]
A welterweight bout between
Neil Magny
and
Geoff Neal
was originally scheduled to take place at
UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Raki?
, but Neal withdrew from the event due to a severe case of
pneumonia
that evolved to
sepsis
.
[17]
The pairing took place at this event.
[18]
Former
UFC Women's Flyweight Championship
challenger
Roxanne Modafferi
was expected to face
Taila Santos
in a women's flyweight bout.
[19]
However, Modafferi was forced to pull out due to a
meniscus
tear a month before the event and the bout was scrapped.
[20]
Jimmy Flick was expected to face
Francisco Figueiredo
in a flyweight bout at this event.
[21]
However on April 10, Flick announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
[22]
Figueiredo was then expected to face JP Buys.
[23]
Buys eventually got injured and also had to pull out. He was replaced by
Malcolm Gordon
and the new pairing is expected to take place at
UFC Fight Night 192
instead.
[24]
Nikolas Motta and
Damir Had?ovi?
were expected to meet in a lightweight bout.
[25]
However, Motta pulled out in mid-April due to an injury
[26]
In turn, Had?ovi? was rescheduled and is expected to face
Yancy Medeiros
two weeks later at
UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt
.
[27]
Former
UFC Lightweight Championship
challenger and
The Ultimate Fighter 1
middleweight winner
Diego Sanchez
was expected to face fellow lightweight title challenger
Donald Cerrone
in a welterweight bout.
[28]
However, Sanchez was removed from the fight on April 28 after being released by the UFC.
[29]
He was replaced by
Alex Morono
.
[30]
At the weigh-ins,
Carlos Diego Ferreira
and
Ryan Benoit
missed weight for their respective bouts. Ferreira weighed in at 160.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30% of his purse, which went to his opponent
Gregor Gillespie
.
[31]
Benoit weighed in at 129 pounds, three pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout with
Zarrukh Adashev
was cancelled by the
Nevada State Athletic Commission
due to health concerns.
[32]
A women’s strawweight bout between
Amanda Ribas
and former
Invicta FC Strawweight Champion
Angela Hill
was expected to take place at the event.
[33]
However, their bout was scrapped just hours before the event started due to Ribas
testing positive for COVID-19
.
[34]
Results
[
edit
]
Main card (ESPN / ESPN+)
|
Weight class
|
|
|
|
Method
|
Round
|
Time
|
Notes
|
Women's Flyweight
|
Marina Rodriguez
|
def.
|
Michelle Waterson
|
Decision (unanimous) (48?47, 49?46, 49?46)
|
5
|
5:00
|
|
Welterweight
|
Alex Morono
|
def.
|
Donald Cerrone
|
TKO (punches)
|
1
|
4:40
|
|
Welterweight
|
Neil Magny
|
def.
|
Geoff Neal
|
Decision (unanimous) (29?28, 29?28, 30?27)
|
3
|
5:00
|
|
Heavyweight
|
Marcos Rogerio de Lima
|
def.
|
Maurice Greene
|
Decision (unanimous) (30?26, 30?26, 30?27)
|
3
|
5:00
|
|
Catchweight (160.5 lb)
|
Gregor Gillespie
|
def.
|
Carlos Diego Ferreira
|
TKO (punches)
|
2
|
4:51
|
|
Middleweight
|
Phil Hawes
|
def.
|
Kyle Daukaus
|
Decision (unanimous) (30?26, 30?26, 29?27)
|
3
|
5:00
|
|
Preliminary card (ESPN+)
|
Featherweight
|
Michael Trizano
|
def.
|
?udovit Klein
|
Decision (unanimous) (29?28, 29?28, 30?27)
|
3
|
5:00
|
|
Middleweight
|
Jun Yong Park
|
def.
|
Tafon Nchukwi
|
Decision (majority) (30?25, 29?26, 28?28)
|
3
|
5:00
|
[a]
|
Welterweight
|
Carlston Harris
|
def.
|
Christian Aguilera
|
Technical Submission (anaconda choke)
|
1
|
2:52
|
|
- ^
Nchukwi was deducted one point in round 2 due to repeated groin strikes.
[35]
Bonus awards
[
edit
]
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.
[36]
- Fight of the Night: Gregor Gillespie vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
1
- Performance of the Night: Alex Morono
and
Carlston Harris
- ^
1. Ferreira was disqualified for the Fight of the Night bonus due to missing weight, as a result his award was given to Gillespie.
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Mike Bohn (2021-05-09).
"UFC on ESPN 24 post-event facts: Neil Magny closes in on Georges St-Pierre's record"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-09
.
- ^
Staff (2021-03-19).
"Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw set for May 8"
. ufc.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-19
.
- ^
Steven Marrocco (2021-04-01).
"UFC requests four events for May at UFC APEX in Las Vegas"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-01
.
- ^
Brett Okamoto (2021-03-19).
"Former UFC champ TJ Dillashaw to make return in May against Cory Sandhagen, sources say"
. espn.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-19
.
- ^
Ariel Helwani (2019-03-20).
"Dillashaw gives up belt, suspended by NYSAC"
. espn.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-19
.
- ^
Brett Okamoto (2019-04-09).
"USADA suspends Dillashaw 2 years for EPO use"
. espn.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-19
.
- ^
Mike Bohn (2021-04-27).
"Facial cut forces T.J. Dillashaw from UFC comeback fight vs. Cory Sandhagen"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-28
.
- ^
Tristen Critchfield (2021-04-28).
"T.J. Dillashaw out of UFC on ESPN 24; Waterson vs. Rodriguez targeted as new main event"
. sherdog.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-28
.
- ^
Damon Martin (2021-04-27).
"T.J. Dillashaw injured, UFC targets Michelle Waterson vs. Marina Rodriguez to headline UFC Vegas 26"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-28
.
- ^
Staff (2021-05-04).
"Dana White: Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson headlines Saturday's UFC on ESPN 24"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-04
.
- ^
Brett Okamoto (2021-02-19).
"Holly Holm to fight Julianna Pena at UFC Fight Night on May 8"
. espn.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-09
.
- ^
Farah Hannoun (2021-03-09).
"Holly Holm reveals kidney swelling forced her out of Julianna Pena bout, set for surgery"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-09
.
- ^
Nolan King (2021-04-15).
"Amanda Nunes moves back to bantamweight, defends title vs. Julianna Pena at UFC 265"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-16
.
- ^
Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (2021-03-09).
"Ben Rothwell vs. Philipe Lins fight at UFC Vegas 21 postponed"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-09
.
- ^
Nolan King and John Morgan (2021-03-16).
"After cancellation, UFC rebooks Philipe Lins vs. Ben Rothwell for May 8"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-17
.
- ^
Mike Bohn (2021-05-07).
"Philipe Lins out of UFC on ESPN 24 fight with Ben Rothwell because of illness"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-07
.
- ^
Steven Marrocco (2020-08-10).
"Coach: Geoff Neal expected to recover after mysterious ailment that caused staphylococcal pneumonia, sepsis"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2020-08-11
.
- ^
Mike Bohn (2021-04-07).
"Neil Magny vs. Geoff Neal rebooked for UFC on ESPN 24"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-08
.
- ^
Marcelo Barone (2021-03-02).
"In search of her third UFC win, Taila Santos will face Roxanne Modafferi in May"
. globoesporte.globo.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-08
.
(in Portuguese)
- ^
Alexander K. Lee (2021-04-07).
"Roxanne Modafferi out of Taila Santos bout on May 8 due to meniscus injury"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-07
.
- ^
Alex Behunin (2021-03-02).
"Jimmy Flick vs. Francisco Figueiredo set for May 8"
. cagesidepress.com
. Retrieved
2021-03-02
.
- ^
Mike Heck (2021-04-11).
"Jimmy Flick announces retirement: 'The UFC is not my dream no more'
"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-11
.
- ^
Staff (2021-04-12).
"JP Buys replaces Jimmy Flick against Francisco Figueiredo on May 8"
. mmadna.nl
. Retrieved
2021-04-12
.
(in Dutch)
- ^
Marcelo Barone (2021-04-20).
"Francisco Figueiredo changes opponents for the third time and will fight on July 17"
. globoesporte.globo.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-22
.
(in Dutch)
- ^
Staff (2021-03-04).
"New generation! Nikolas Motta debuts at Ultimate against veteran in May"
. uol.com.br
. Retrieved
2021-04-15
.
(in Portuguese)
- ^
Staff (2021-04-14).
"Nikolas Motta is injured and postpones UFC Octagon debut"
. uol.com.br
. Retrieved
2021-04-15
.
(in Portuguese)
- ^
Farah Hannoun (2021-04-16).
"With Nikolas Motta out, Yancy Medeiros steps in to face Damir Hadzovic at UFC Fight Night 188"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-16
.
- ^
Alex Chippin (2021-02-05).
"Report: Cerrone booked for return bout vs. Sanchez"
. thescore.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-28
.
- ^
Mike Bohn and John Morgan (2021-04-30).
"UFC releases 'TUF 1' winner Diego Sanchez, ending more than 16-year run"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-04-30
.
- ^
Nolan King and Mike Bohn (2021-05-03).
"Donald Cerrone gets Alex Morono after Diego Sanchez removed from UFC on ESPN 24"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-03
.
- ^
Alexander K. Lee (2021-05-07).
"UFC Vegas 26 weigh-in results: Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson make weight for headliner, two other fights cancelled"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-07
.
- ^
Mike Bohn and Ken Hathaway (2021-05-07).
"UFC on ESPN 24 video: Ryan Benoit held upright on scale for scary weigh-in; fight canceled"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-07
.
- ^
Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (2021-04-05).
"Amanda Ribas vs. Angela Hill targeted for UFC event on May 8"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-08
.
- ^
Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2021-05-08).
"Amanda Ribas positive for COVID-19, removed from UFC Vegas 26 bout with Angela Hill"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-08
.
- ^
"UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson"
. Ultimate Fighting Championship
. Retrieved
2021-03-19
.
- ^
Staff (2021-05-09).
"UFC on ESPN 24 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie gets $100,000 because Diego Ferreira missed weight"
. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2021-05-09
.
|
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|
Upcoming events are in italics
|
Flagship events
| |
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Fight Nights
(on Spike TV)
| |
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UFC on Versus/UFC Live
| |
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UFC on Fox
| |
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UFC on FX
| |
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UFC on Fuel TV
| |
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Fight Nights
(on FS1, FS2, FXX,
or UFC Fight Pass)
| |
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UFC on ESPN
(or ESPN2)
| |
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Fight Nights
(on ESPN+)
| |
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UFC on ABC
| |
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The Ultimate Fighter
Finales
| |
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|