UFC 222 explained

UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya
Promotion:Ultimate Fighting Championship
City:Paradise, Nevada
Attendance:12,041[1]
Gate:$1,367,672
Buyrate:260,000[2]

UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on March 3, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area.[3]

UFC 222 features in the film Road House with filming taking place at the T-Mobile Arena during UFC 285.

Background

A UFC Featherweight Championship bout between champion Max Holloway and former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar was expected to serve as the event headliner.[4] The pairing was initially expected to take place three months earlier at UFC 218. However, Edgar pulled out of the fight citing an eye injury.[5] In turn, Holloway pulled out of this bout on February 3, due to a leg injury and the matchup was scrapped.[6]

On the same day of Holloway's withdrawal, the UFC reportedly pursued a UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion T.J. Dillashaw and former champion Cody Garbrandt to headline this event, in what would be a rematch of their UFC 217 encounter, in which Dillashaw recaptured the title with a TKO win. However, Dillashaw declined the offer citing a few reasons: the recent birth of his first child, not being in a training camp, disbelief that Garbrandt deserves the title shot, as well as a targeted UFC Flyweight Championship challenge against the champion Demetrious Johnson (who was, at the time, recovering from a surgery).[7]

On February 7, it was reported that a UFC Women's Featherweight Championship bout between current champion Cris Cyborg (who is also a former Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Champion and Invicta FC Featherweight Champion) and former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion Yana Kunitskaya would headline the event.[8] Edgar remained on the card, facing Brian Ortega in the co-main event.[8]

A bantamweight bout between former UFC Flyweight Championship challenger and bantamweight winner John Dodson and Pedro Munhoz is expected to take place at the event.[9] The pairing was originally scheduled to take place one month earlier at but was scrapped from the event after Munhoz missed weight and Dodson did not agree to fight at a catchweight.[10]

Bobby Green was expected to face Beneil Dariush at the event, but pulled out on February 14 due to injury.[11] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Alexander Hernandez.[12]

This event had five split decisions, making it the most split decision bouts in UFC history.[13] UFC 274 in May 2022 also tied this record.

Results

[14]

Bonus awards

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[15]

Reported payout

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money and also does not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses. The total disclosed payout for the event was $2,103,000.[16]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: UFC 222 draws announced 12,041 attendance for $1,367,672 live gate in Las Vegas. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-03-04. 2018-03-04.
  2. Web site: UFC 228: Woodley vs. Till reportedly does awful PPV numbers. punditarena.com. Cillian Cunningham. 2018-09-28. 2018-10-09.
  3. News: UFC announces Q1 event schedule. ufc.com. Staff. 2017-11-05. 2017-11-05.
  4. News: Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar rescheduled for UFC 222. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2018-01-08. 2018-01-08.
  5. News: Frankie Edgar injured, off UFC 218 title fight vs. Max Holloway. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2017-11-11. 2017-11-11.
  6. News: UFC 222 explores options for main event after Max Holloway injury. espn.com. Brett Okamoto. 2018-02-03. 2018-02-03.
  7. News: T.J. Dillashaw shuts down UFC 222 rematch against Cody Garbrandt, whose blasts champ's 'excuses'. mmajunkie.com. Mike Bohn. 2018-02-03. 2018-02-03.
  8. News: Cris Cyborg vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega scheduled for UFC 222. mmafighting.com. Ariel Helwani. 2018-02-07. 2018-02-07.
  9. News: Bantamweight bout rescheduled for UFC 222 in Las Vegas. reviewjournal.com. Adam Hill. 2018-02-06. 2018-02-06.
  10. News: John Dodson vs. Pedro Munhoz off of UFC Belem. mmafighting.com. Guilherme Cruz. 2018-02-02. 2018-02-06.
  11. News: Bobby Green injured, out of UFC 222 fight with Beneil Dariush. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2018-02-14. 2018-02-14.
  12. News: Beneil Dariush draws newcomer as replacement opponent at UFC 222. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-02-23. 2018-02-23.
  13. News: UFC in 2018: A ridiculously robust look at the stats, streaks, skids and record-setters. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2019-01-09. 2022-06-14.
  14. Web site: UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya. Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2017-11-30.
  15. News: UFC 222 bonuses: Brian Ortega, Alexander Hernandez easy choices for $50,000. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-03-04. 2018-03-04.
  16. News: UFC 222 final salaries: Cyborg ($500K), Arlovski ($275K), Ortega ($200K) earn top payouts. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-03-04. 2018-03-04.

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