UFC 249 explained

UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje
Promotion:Ultimate Fighting Championship
Venue:VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Attendance:None (behind closed doors)[1]
Buyrate:700,000[2]
City:Jacksonville, Florida, United States

UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 9, 2020 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.[3] [4] [5] It was originally planned to take place on April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States.[6] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed (see section below).[7] On April 21, the UFC confirmed that UFC 249 would be moved to May 9 and take place in Florida.[3] [4]

Background

A UFC Lightweight Championship bout between the champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Tony Ferguson (also welterweight winner) was slated to headline this event. The pairing had previously been scheduled and cancelled for various reasons on four occasions (The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale,, UFC 209 and UFC 223) over the last four years.[8] [9] [10] [11] The bout was cancelled for a fifth time due to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic (see section below).

A featherweight bout between Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar was expected to take place at UFC 248.[12] However, Stephens was removed from the card in mid-January with an injury.[13] The pairing was rescheduled for this event.[14]

A heavyweight bout between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Ciryl Gane was scheduled for the event. However, it was announced on March 5 that Gane was forced to pull out of the event after he was struck by a pneumothorax in training and the bout was eventually scrapped.[15]

A welterweight bout between former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good and Belal Muhammad was scheduled for this event.[16] The pairing was previously expected to meet at UFC 205 in November 2016, but Good was pulled from that event after being notified by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) due to a potential anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test.[17] However, Good pulled out due to injury on April 4 and the bout was scrapped.[18] It was announced on April 20 that Good actually tested positive for COVID-19, being the first fighter to publicly acknowledge the fact.[19]

A women's strawweight rematch between former UFC Women's Strawweight Champions Jéssica Andrade and Rose Namajunas was expected to co-headline the event.[20] The pairing previously met at UFC 237 in May 2019, where Andrade won via second round TKO to capture the title.[21] However, Namajunas pulled out on April 8 for personal reasons, with her manager citing a pair of deaths in the family related to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason.[22] [23]

COVID-19 pandemic – the April 18 date is postponed

On March 12, New York governor Andrew Cuomo issued an order restricting mass gatherings and sporting events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four days later, UFC president Dana White announced via a letter to employees shared to the public that this event "is still scheduled as planned, but the location may change".[24] On March 18, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) announced that the event would not be sanctioned to take place at the event's original site, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.[25] On March 23, White revealed that he already had a new location for this event, but would only confirm that it will be held behind closed doors.[26] White subsequently added on March 25 that the card could feature a different lineup, depending on the logistics.[27]

Khabib Nurmagomedov stated on March 30 that he was in Dagestan and his participation at the event could be jeopardized due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[28] He stated on April 1 that he would probably not be competing at the event and reinforced that people should be in quarantine anyhow.[29] [30] He later confirmed that he would compete if a location was given and they were able to move him there, but did not see it happening.[31]

The UFC announced on April 6 that Nurmagomedov would be replaced by former WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje, with an interim title to be disputed between him and Tony Ferguson.[32] The rest of the card also underwent changes, with the following fights being added as well:[33]

The following fights were removed from the event and are expected to be rescheduled for future cards:

A location for the event was not revealed, but Dana White said the UFC's temporary home would host U.S.-based fighters who aren't barred from traveling domestically.[37] On April 7, Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Halsey Beshears made a post on Twitter, offering to help sanction and host UFC events in the state.[38] It was later revealed that the event was expected to take place at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California, the site of several events for the defunct World Extreme Cagefighting and Tachi Palace Fights promotions.[39]

On April 9, White announced that this event would not take place as scheduled and all other UFC events would be suspended until further notice, citing interventions from high-ranking staff of the UFC's U.S. media rightsholders, ESPN Inc. and parent The Walt Disney Company.[40] [41] It was later revealed that the 40th governor of California, Gavin Newsom, influenced the decision of cancelling the event.[42]

May 9 – a new date is set for the event

The promotion originally planned UFC 250 to take place at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in São Paulo, Brazil on May 9.[43] On April 7, it was announced that the venue would be used as a field hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and would not be able to host the fight card.[44]

A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between the current champion Henry Cejudo (also former UFC Flyweight Champion and 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling) and former WEC and two-time UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo was expected to serve as that event's headliner.[45] However, Aldo withdrew on April 8 due to visa issues as the event was expected to be moved to the United States. While not officially announced by the promotion at the time, former two-time bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (who hadn't fought since December 2016) was expected to replace him.[46]

A UFC Women's Featherweight Championship bout between the current champion Amanda Nunes (also the current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion) and former Invicta FC Featherweight Champion Felicia Spencer was expected to serve as the co-headliner.[47] Nunes announced on April 20 that she would not compete on this date due to her desire to have a full training camp.[48]

Due to the event being expected to be relocated to the United States, several changes were made due to fighters being unable to compete due to visa issues:[49]

On April 21, it was announced that the UFC moved UFC 249 to the new date, marking the promotion's return after the first wave of cancellations, most likely in Florida.[3] [4] Florida venues are permitted to host UFC events behind closed doors as a result of Executive Order 20-91 signed April 9, 2020 by governor Ron DeSantis, specifically stating as an essential service, "employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience - including any athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production - only if the location is closed to the general public."[51] They confirmed the new card on April 24, with the Ferguson vs. Gaethje bout still scheduled to serve as the event headliner.[52] The organization also announced that it would host two other events on May 13 and 16, both in Jacksonville. The rest of the card featured the following fights:

Fights that were originally expected to take place at this event on April 18, but later expected to be rescheduled for future cards included Hernandez vs. Morales, Vera vs. Borg, Worthy vs. Johnson and a women's bantamweight bout between Sijara Eubanks and Sarah Moras.

At the weigh-ins, Jeremy Stephens weighed in at 150.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. He was fined 30% of his purse and his bout with Calvin Kattar proceeded at a catchweight.[56] Additionally, a middleweight bout between former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo Souza and Uriah Hall was cancelled after Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.[57]

Results

[58]

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[59]

Reported payout

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Florida State Boxing 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 $3,557,000.[60]

^ Due to weighing in over the limit, 30% ($20,100) of Stephens' purse went to Kattar.

Aftermath

During the broadcast, it was announced that former UFC Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Georges St-Pierre would be inducted into the Modern Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.[61]

Henry Cejudo announced his retirement immediately after his TKO victory over Dominick Cruz.[62]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UFC 249 gets Mixed Martial Arts back underway behind closed doors in Florida. abc.net.au. Staff. 2020-05-10. 2020-09-10.
  2. Web site: UFC 249 generates over 700,000 PPV buys on ESPN+ . sports.yahoo.com. Kevin Iole. 2020-05-12. 2020-05-12.
  3. Web site: UFC 249 gets second life as May 9 event at TBA location. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2020-04-21. 2020-04-21.
  4. Web site: UFC 249 pay-per-view headed to Florida on May 9. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2020-04-21. 2020-04-21.
  5. Web site: Report: UFC 249 headed to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2020-04-24. 2020-04-24.
  6. Web site: Khabib vs. Ferguson set for UFC 249 at Barclays. newsday.com. Mark La Monica. 2019-12-14. 2019-12-14.
  7. Web site: Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18. espn.com. Brett Okamoto. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-09.
  8. Web site: Edson Barboza steps in for Khabib Nurmagomedov to face Tony Ferguson at TUF Finale. mmafighting.com. Marc Raimondi. 2015-10-30. 2019-12-16.
  9. Web site: Tony Ferguson out; Rashad Evans vs. Glover Teixeira set as new main event. foxsports.com. Damon Martin. 2016-04-05. 2019-12-16.
  10. Web site: UFC releases statement on Khabib Nurmagomedov. mmafighting.com. Marc Raimondi. 2017-03-03. 2019-12-16.
  11. Web site: You won't believe how Tony Ferguson injured his knee and ended up off UFC 223. Ryan Harkness. 2018-04-01. mmamania.com. 2019-12-16.
  12. Web site: UFC 248: Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar on tap for March 7 in Las Vegas. Jesse Holland. 2020-01-06. mmamania.com. 2020-02-07.
  13. Web site: Jeremy Stephens injured, out of planned UFC 248 bout vs. Calvin Kattar; rescheduling expected. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2020-01-16. 2020-01-16.
  14. Web site: Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens in the works for UFC 249. Nolan King. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 2020-01-23. 2020-01-23.
  15. Web site: Ciryl Gane out of UFC 249 fight with Shamil Abdurakhimov. 2020-03-05. mmafighting.com. Guilherme Cruz. 2020-03-06.
  16. Web site: Belal Muhammad vs. Lyman Good added to UFC 249 in Brooklyn. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Farah Hannoun and Mike Bohn. 2020-02-11. 2020-04-04.
  17. Web site: Lyman Good receives USADA notice, pulled from UFC 205. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2016-10-24. 2020-04-04.
  18. Web site: Lyman Good out of UFC 249 bout with Belal Muhammad due to injury. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Danny Segura. 2020-04-04. 2020-04-04.
  19. Web site: UFC's Lyman Good now '100%' after testing positive for COVID-19 last month. espn.com. Marc Raimondi. 2020-04-20. 2020-04-20.
  20. Web site: Rose Namajunas, Jessica Andrade agree to rematch at UFC 249 in Brooklyn. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2020-01-09. 2020-04-08.
  21. Web site: UFC 237 results – Jessica Andrade KO's Rose Namajunas in round 2, wins strawweight belt. mmaindia.com. Sohail Syed. 2019-05-12. 2020-04-08.
  22. Web site: Rose Namajunas pulls out of UFC 249 bout vs. Jessica Andrade. espn.com. Marc Raimondi and Ariel Helwani. 2020-04-08. 2020-04-08.
  23. Web site: Manager: Rose Namajunas withdrew from UFC 249 after COVID-19 deaths in family. mmafighting.com. Newswire. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-09.
  24. Web site: UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King and John Morgan. 2020-03-15. 2020-03-16.
  25. Web site: Commission stops UFC 249 from happening in New York. thescore.com. Nick Baldwin. 2020-03-18. 2020-03-18.
  26. Web site: Dana White says he has location for UFC 249; confirms closed-door event. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2020-03-23. 2020-03-24.
  27. Web site: Dana White: UFC 249 could add Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik, other fights. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2020-03-25. 2020-03-25.
  28. Web site: Khabib Nurmagomedov stuck in Russia, hears new Tony Ferguson opponent sought. espn.com. Ariel Helwani. 2020-03-30. 2020-03-30.
  29. Web site: Khabib Nurmagomedov confirms he's out of UFC 249: 'I can't control it all'. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Danny Segura. 2020-04-01. 2020-04-01.
  30. Web site: Khabib Nurmagomedov fires back at criticism over not fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2020-04-02. 2020-04-04.
  31. Web site: Khabib Nurmagomedov ready to fight, but 'I don't know the location … this is not professional'. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2020-04-04. 2020-04-04.
  32. Web site: Dana White says Tony Ferguson-Justin Gaethje to headline UFC 249. espn.com. Marc Raimondi. 2020-04-06. 2020-04-07.
  33. Web site: UFC 249 fight card announced, Andrade vs. Namajunas 2 still co-headlines. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2020-04-06. 2020-04-07.
  34. Web site: UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King and John Morgan. 2020-03-15. 2020-04-07.
  35. Web site: UFC Fight Night 119 results: Vicente Luque taps Niko Price with brilliant D'Arce choke. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Steven Marrocco. 2017-10-28. 2020-04-24.
  36. Web site: UFC Norfolk results: Magomed Ankalaev earns KO over Ion Cutelaba in highly controversial stoppage. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2020-02-29. 2020-04-07.
  37. Web site: Dana White's COVID-19 plan: Two months of weekly fights at UFC 249 location, a private island, and Joe Rogan. mmafighting.com. Steven Marrocco. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-07.
  38. Web site: Regulator opens door to UFC events in Florida amid coronavirus pandemic. news4jax.com. Staff. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-16.
  39. Web site: UFC 249, skirting coronavirus limits, is set for tribal land in California. The New York Times. Kevin Draper. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-09.
  40. Web site: Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18. espn.com. Brett Okamoto. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-09.
  41. Web site: UFC 249, upcoming events postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, Dana White promises 'Fight Island' will proceed. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-09.
  42. Web site: Report: California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Disney to shut down UFC 249. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Simon Samano. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-10.
  43. Web site: UFC plans UFC 250 in São Paulo with Henry Cejudo vs. José Aldo of main event. globoesporte.globo.com. Raphael Marinho. 2020-01-17. 2020-01-17.
  44. Web site: With Ibirapuera assigned as a field hospital, UFC 250 will not be held in São Paulo. globoesporte.globo.com. Raphael Marinho. 2020-04-07. 2020-04-08.
  45. Web site: Jose Aldo to challenge Henry Cejudo at UFC 250 in Brazil. espn.com. Brett Okamoto. 2020-02-24. 2020-02-24.
  46. Web site: José Aldo out of UFC 250 and Ultimate expects to book Henry Cejuro against Dominick Cruz. globoesporte.globo.com. Ana Hissa and Raphael Marinho. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-09.
  47. Web site: Amanda Nunes to defend featherweight title against Felicia Spencer at UFC 250. espn.com. Brett Okamoto. 2020-03-05. 2020-03-05.
  48. Web site: Amanda Nunes announces she won't fight at May 9 UFC event. mmafighting.com. Steven Marrocco. 2020-04-20. 2020-04-20.
  49. Web site: Jose Aldo among Brazilians out of UFC 250 and beyond because of visa issues during pandemic. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-09.
  50. Web site: Shogun and Minotouro face off for the third time at UFC 250 in São Paulo. globoesporte.globo.com. Staff. 2020-02-20. 2020-04-09.
  51. Web site: Essential Services Additions to Executive Order 20-91. flgov.com. State of Florida. 2020-04-09. 2020-04-24.
  52. Web site: UFC schedules three fight cards, led by UFC 249 on May 9 in Florida with no fans. espn.com. Brett Okamoto. 2020-04-24. 2020-04-24.
  53. Web site: Michelle Waterson vs. Carla Esparza booked for UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Portland. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King and Farah Hannoun. 2020-02-08. 2020-04-24.
  54. Web site: Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa in the works for UFC Oklahoma City. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2020-02-26. 2020-04-24.
  55. Web site: UFC on Fox 6 results recap: Anthony Pettis vs Donald Cerrone fight review and analysis. mmamania.com. Brian Hemminger. 2013-01-27. 2020-04-24.
  56. Web site: UFC 249 weigh-in results: Title fighters on weight; Jeremy Stephens misses. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2020-05-08. 2020-05-08.
  57. Web site: Ronaldo Souza, two cornermen test positive for coronavirus ahead of UFC 249, card will still go on. yahoo.com. Staff. 2020-05-08. 2020-05-08.
  58. Web site: UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje. 13 December 2019 . Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2020-04-24.
  59. Web site: UFC 249 post-fight bonuses: Gaethje finishes Ferguson in FOTN thriller. Stephie Haynes. 2020-05-10. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 2020-05-10.
  60. Web site: UFC 249 salaries: Tony Ferguson leads all paydays, among 13 fighters pocketing six figures. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2020-05-11. 2020-05-12.
  61. Web site: Georges St-Pierre will be inducted into 2020 UFC Hall of Fame class. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2020-05-09. 2020-05-10.
  62. Web site: Shocker: Henry Cejudo stops Dominick Cruz, then announces MMA retirement at UFC 249. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matt Erickson. 2020-05-10. 2020-05-10.

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