UFC 257

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UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2
The poster for UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2
Information
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateJanuary 24, 2021 (2021-01-24)
VenueEtihad Arena
CityAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Attendance2,600[1]
Buyrate1,504,737[2]
Event chronology
UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov

UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on January 24, 2021 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[3][4]

Background

Starting with UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar, a limited number of fans were allowed inside the newly built Etihad Arena, marking the first time since UFC 248 on March 7, 2020, that non-essential event personnel were in attendance.[5] The venue has maximum capacity of over 18,000, but the UFC was expecting to have closer to 2,000 fans for each of the Fight Island's events during the week.[6]

For the event to be broadcast live during

Gulf Standard Time.[7]

A lightweight rematch between former

Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and former interim champion Dustin Poirier headlined this event.[8][9] They met previously in a featherweight bout at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014, where McGregor won by first-round TKO.[10]

After defending his lightweight title at UFC 254 in October, Khabib Nurmagomedov immediately announced his retirement, citing his father's death from complications related to COVID-19 in last July as the main reason behind it.[11] Despite his announcement, the title was never officially vacated as UFC President Dana White said several times that he believed Nurmagomedov would still fight again.[12][13][14] A meeting between both of them to discuss the champion's future was then expected to happen this week during the organization's stint at Fight Island, eventually taking place on January 15.[15][16] The following day, White made an appearance live on ABC during the main card of UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar and revealed the outcome of the meeting: the Russian left the door open to a potential return, depending on how the main and co-main event fighters perform at this event, while also praising Charles Oliveira's performance at UFC 256.[17][18] Despite White's announcement, Nurmagomedov indicated in another interview that "fighting again is not in my plans".[19]

A bantamweight bout between promotional newcomers Umar Nurmagomedov and Sergey Morozov was initially scheduled to take place at UFC 254, but Nurmagomedov pulled out due to an illness.[20] The pairing was then rescheduled for this event.[21] Finally, the bout was set to take place 3 days prior at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny.[22]

A flyweight bout between Amir Albazi and Zhalgas Zhumagulov was expected to take place at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark, but Zhumagulov pulled out due to visa issues and the bout was rescheduled for this event.[23][24]

Former

Marina Rodriguez.[27]

UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Chimaev on March 13.[30]

A middleweight bout between The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia light heavyweight winner Andrew Sanchez and André Muniz was expected to take place at this event.[31] In late December, Muniz withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Makhmud Muradov.[32]

A women's bantamweight bout between

UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship challenger Sara McMann (also 2004 Olympic silver medalist in wrestling) was originally scheduled to take place a week earlier at UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar, but it was eventually pushed back to this event.[33][34]

A featherweight bout between Shane Burgos and Hakeem Dawodu was scheduled for the event.[35] However, on January 9, Dawodu was forced to withdraw from the bout citing a shoulder injury.[36] The UFC confirmed three days later that Burgos was also injured and the bout was canceled.[37]

On the day of the weigh-ins, a couple of lightweight bouts suffered major changes due to several issues: Ottman Azaitar and Matt Frevola were scheduled to meet in the preliminary portion of the event.[38] However, it was announced that Azaitar was pulled from the bout and had his contract terminated after it was determined that he had violated COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as he attempted to help others enter the UFC's designated safety zone.[39] The other bout that suffered alterations featured Nasrat Haqparast and Arman Tsarukyan.[40] Haqparast withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed illness and Tsarukyan weighed in at 157 pounds, one pound over the lightweight non-title fight limit.[41][42] As a result, the promotion arranged a catchweight bout between Frevola and Tsarukyan to keep both athletes on the card.[43][44] Subsequently, Tsarukyan forfeited 20% of his purse to Frevola as a result of missing weight.[45]

Results

Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Dustin Poirier def. Conor McGregor TKO (punches) 2 2:32
Lightweight Michael Chandler def. Dan Hooker TKO (punches) 1 2:30
Women's Flyweight
Joanne Calderwood
 def. Jessica Eye Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Middleweight Makhmud Muradov def. Andrew Sanchez TKO (flying knee and punches) 3 2:59
Women's Strawweight
Marina Rodriguez
 def. Amanda Ribas TKO (elbow and punches) 2 0:54
Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+)
Catchweight (157 lb) Arman Tsarukyan def. Matt Frevola Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26) 3 5:00
Middleweight Brad Tavares def. Antônio Carlos Júnior Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Women's Bantamweight Julianna Peña def. Sara McMann Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 3:39
Light Heavyweight Marcin Prachnio def. Khalil Rountree Jr. Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Early preliminary card (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Catchweight (150 lb) Movsar Evloev def. Nik Lentz Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Flyweight Amir Albazi def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00

[46]

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[47]

  • Fight of the Night: No bonus awarded.
  • Performance of the Night: Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Makhmud Muradov and Marina Rodriguez

See also

References

  1. ^ Staff (2021-01-24). "UFC 257 - Conor McGregor KO at the hands of Dustin Poirier leaves lightweight division in limbo". eurosport.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  2. ^ King, Nolan (4 October 2021). "Conor McGregor shares receipt, reveals massive UFC 257 pay-per-view buy rate". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  3. ^ Staff (2020-11-23). "Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor to headline UFC 257". ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  4. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2020-12-22). "Dana White announces UFC 257, first three events of 2021 to take place on Fight Island". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  5. ^ Staff (2021-01-07). "Fans are back: UFC will have 'limited' attendance at three-card 'Fight Island' stint at Etihad Arena". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  6. ^ Newswire (2021-01-10). "Etihad Arena lists official COVID-19 safety measures for fans at January UFC Fight Island shows". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  7. ^ Mike Bohn (2021-01-13). "'Fight Island' commentary teams, broadcast plans set for three events ending with UFC 257". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. ^ Damon Martin (2020-11-10). "Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 in works for UFC 257". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  9. ^ Danny Segura and Mike Bohn (2020-11-19). "Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 booked for UFC 257". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  10. ^ Steven Marrocco (2014-09-27). "UFC 178 results, photos: Conor McGregor stops Dustin Poirier in first round". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  11. ^ Dave Doyle (2020-10-24). "Khabib Nurmagomedov dominates Justin Gaethje, retires after UFC 254 submission win". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  12. ^ Simon Samano (2020-10-29). "Dana White has 'a feeling' Khabib Nurmagomedov won't stay retired after talking to him". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  13. ^ Simon Head and Ken Hathaway (2020-11-01). "Dana White leaves door open for Khabib Nurmagomedov to return: 'He's still the champ'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  14. ^ Farah Hannoun and John Morgan (2020-11-18). "Dana White insists Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier won't be for title: 'Khabib's going to fight'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  15. ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2021-01-13). "Dana White anticipates Khabib Nurmagomedov meeting will be five minutes: 'It's yes or no'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  16. ^ Nolan King (2021-01-15). "Video: Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov finally meet face to face in Abu Dhabi". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  17. ^ Simon Head, The Blue Corner (2021-01-16). "What's happening with Khabib Nurmagomedov? Dana White will reveal all at UFC on ABC 1". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  18. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-01-16). "Dana White announces that Khabib Nurmagomedov could return if UFC 257 lightweights, Charles Oliveira 'can do something special'". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  19. ^ Newswire (2021-01-20). "Khabib Nurmagomedov: Fighting not in my plans, don't 'push me to do things that will disappoint my mother'". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  20. ^ Simon Head (2020-10-18). "Umar Nurmagomedov hospitalized in Dubai, ruled out of octagon debut at UFC 254". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  21. ^ Staff (2020-11-24). "Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Sergey Morozov added to UFC 257 on January 23". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-11-24. (in Dutch)
  22. ^ Farah Hannoun (2021-01-12). "Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Sergey Morozov moved to UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  23. ^ Staff (2020-11-24). "Amir Albazi vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov pulled from UFC on ESPN 18 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  24. ^ Steve Duncan (2020-11-25). "Amir Albazi vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov rescheduled for UFC 257". mma.uno. Retrieved 2020-11-25. (in Spanish)
  25. ^ Brett Okamoto (2020-11-02). "Michelle Waterson, Amanda Ribas closing in on deal to fight at UFC 257, sources say". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  26. ^ Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2020-12-08). "Michelle Waterson out of upcoming fight against Amanda Ribas at UFC 257". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  27. ^ Diego Ribas (2020-12-08). "UFC books fight between Amanda Ribas and Marina Rodriguez for January". agfight.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09. (in Portuguese)
  28. ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-12-18). "Matheus Nicolau returns vs. Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 257 on Jan. 23". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  29. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2020-12-19). "Matheus Nicolau re-signs with UFC, needs new opponent for UFC 257 after Tagir Ulanbekov withdraws". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  30. ^ Raphael Marinho (2021-01-12). "Ultimate sends Matheus Nicolau vs. Tagir Ulanbekov to March 13". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13. (in Portuguese)
  31. ^ Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (2020-11-19). "Andre Muniz set to face TUF 23 winner Andrew Sanchez at UFC 257". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  32. ^ Richard Wagner (2020-12-24). "Fight in the same event as McGregor! Who will the Czech/Uzbek oppose?". sport.tn.nova.cz. Retrieved 2020-12-24. (in Czech)
  33. ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-11-19). "Sara McMann vs. Julianna Pena added to UFC Fight Night on Jan. 16". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  34. ^ Nolan King and Mike Bohn (2020-12-26). "UFC 257 gets Julianna Pena vs. Sara McMann after fight pushed back one week". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  35. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2020-11-24). "Shane Burgos vs. Hakeem Dawodu booked for UFC 257". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  36. ^ Simon Head and Farah Hannoun (2021-01-09). "Injury forces Hakeem Dawodu out of UFC 257 clash with Shane Burgos". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  37. ^ Staff (2021-01-12). "Updates to UFC Fight Island events". ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  38. ^ Farah Hannoun and John Morgan (2020-11-19). "Ottman Azaitar vs. Matt Frevola joins UFC 257 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  39. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-01-22). "Ottman Azaitar cut from UFC after violating COVID-19 safety protocol". mmafighting.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  40. ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-11-19). "Nasrat Haqparast vs. Arman Tsarukyan added to UFC 257". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  41. ^ Jay Anderson (2021-01-22). "Nasrat Haqparast out of UFC 257 fight with Arman Tsarukyan, who missed weight". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  42. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-01-22). "UFC 257 weigh-in results: Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier make weight for rematch, two other fights canceled". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  43. ^ Staff (2021-01-22). "UFC 257 weigh-in results: Lineup altered after multiple issues with lightweights". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  44. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-01-22). "Arman Tsarukyan vs. Matt Frevola arranged for UFC 257 following loss of scheduled opponents". mmafighting.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  45. ^ Daniel Cunningham (2021-01-22). "Matt Frevola will now meet Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 257". empiresportsmedia.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  46. ^ "UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2". Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  47. ^ Stephie Haynes (2021-01-24). "UFC 257 post-fight bonuses: Poirier stops McGregor in second round". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
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