UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker explained

UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker
Promotion:Ultimate Fighting Championship
Venue:UFC Apex
City:Enterprise, Nevada, United States
Attendance:None (behind closed doors)[1]
Followingevent:UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal

UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker (also known as UFC on ESPN 12 and UFC Vegas 4) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on June 27, 2020 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.[2] [3]

Background

The event was initially scheduled to take place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.[4] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UFC president Dana White announced on April 9 that starting with UFC 249, all future events were indefinitely postponed.[5] The event would have marked the promotion's fourth visit to Austin, following in February 2018. On May 21, the UFC announced the cancelation of the event in Austin.

A lightweight bout between former interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker headlined the event.[6] [7] The pairing was previously expected to headline an event on May 16 in San Diego, California.[8] That event was effectively canceled on April 20, after the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) extended a moratorium on combat sports events through May 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

A women's flyweight bout between Alexa Grasso and Ji Yeon Kim was initially scheduled for this event.[10] However, the bout was rescheduled and would take place on August 29 at .[11]

Ian Heinisch was expected to face Brendan Allen at the event. However, Heinisch pulled out of the matchup in mid-June citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Kyle Daukaus.[12]

A women's flyweight bout between former Invicta FC Flyweight Champion Jennifer Maia and Viviane Araújo was initially scheduled for this event.[13] However, the bout was rescheduled in mid-June and moved to on August 1 after both participants faced travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

A women's bantamweight bout between Aspen Ladd and former UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship challenger (also 2004 Olympic silver medalist in wrestling) Sara McMann was scheduled for the event. However, the bout was scrapped after Ladd suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the event, tearing both her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in training.[15]

A catchweight bout between Sean Woodson and Kyle Nelson was scheduled for the event. However, Nelson was pulled from the event due to a visa issue and replaced by Julian Erosa.[16]

A women's flyweight bout between Miranda Maverick and Mara Romero Borella was scheduled for the event. However, Maverick was forced to pull out due to injury and the bout was scrapped.[17]

Ramiz Brahimaj was scheduled to face Takashi Sato at the event. However, Brahimaj was pulled from the fight during the week leading up to the event in an abundance of caution, after a cornerman of his tested positive for COVID-19. Promotional newcomer Jason Witt stepped in as a replacement to face Sato.[18]

Results

[19]

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[20]

Reported payout

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). 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 $1,140,000.[21]

Aftermath

On August 5, it was announced that the NSAC issued a temporary suspension for Luis Peña, after he tested positive for marijuana in his pre-fight screenings.[22] On September 3, the NSAC announced that Peña was suspended four and a half months and fined 15% of his fight purse. The reduced suspension was due to his fight being taken on short notice.[23]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dustin Poirier's blood and guts victory on Saturday puts him in the Conor McGregor conversation even though the Irishman is 'retired'. businessinsider.in. Alan Dawson. 2020-06-28. 2020-06-28.
  2. Web site: UFC announces cancellation of Saskatoon, Austin events. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2020-05-21. 2020-05-21.
  3. Web site: UFC Vegas 4: results. ufc.com. Thomas Gerbasi. 2020-06-28. 2020-07-05.
  4. Web site: UFC announces Fight Night card for return to Austin. mmafighting.com. Newswire. 2020-03-08. 2020-03-11.
  5. 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.
  6. Web site: Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker targeted for UFC's June 27 headliner. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2020-05-23. 2020-06-11.
  7. Web site: UFC on ESPN 12 fight card almost complete for June 27, headlined by Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2020-06-12. 2020-06-12.
  8. Web site: Dustin Poirier vs Dan Hooker targeted to headline UFC Fight Night 175 in San Diego on May 16. mmamania.com. Adam Guillen Jr.. 2020-03-04. 2020-06-11.
  9. Web site: UFC officially cancels four events due to coronavirus pandemic. mmafighting.com. Steven Marrocco. 2020-04-20. 2020-04-20.
  10. Web site: Alexa Grasso moves up to flyweight, faces Ji Yeon Kim at UFC Austin. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Farah Hannoun. 2020-03-13. 2020-03-13.
  11. Web site: Ji Yeon Kim and Alexa Grasso re-booked for the August 29 event. mmadna.nl. Staff. 2020-06-13. 2020-06-15.
  12. Web site: Ian Heinisch out; Brendan Allen now expected to face UFC newcomer Kyle Daukaus on June 27. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2020-06-16. 2020-06-17.
  13. Web site: UFC sets fight between Brazilian flyweight Vivi Araújo and Jennifer Maia in Texas. globoesporte.globo.com. Raphael Marinho. 2020-02-27. 2020-03-11.
  14. Web site: Travel restrictions move Jennifer Maia vs. Viviane Araujo to Aug. 1 UFC event. mmafighting.com. Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin. 2020-06-17. 2020-06-18.
  15. Web site: Midnight Mania! Aspen Ladd suffers major injury, forced out of Sara McMann fight. mmamania.com. Andrew Richardson. 2020-06-20. 2020-06-20.
  16. Web site: Julian Erosa takes short notice against Sean Woodson next Saturday. mmadna.nl. Staff. 2020-06-24. 2020-06-24.
  17. Web site: Miranda Maverick out of UFC on ESPN 12 bout with Mara Romero Borella due to injury. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Danny Segura and Nolan King. 2020-06-24. 2020-06-25.
  18. Web site: Cornerman's positive COVID-19 test forces Ramiz Brahimaj out of UFC on ESPN 12, Jason Witt steps in. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2020-06-26. 2020-06-26.
  19. Web site: UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2020-06-27.
  20. Web site: UFC on ESPN 12 bonuses! Poirier, Hooker cash out in memorable main event. mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2020-06-28. 2020-06-28.
  21. Web site: UFC on ESPN 12 salaries: Dustin Poirier leads with $300,000 payout. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2020-06-29. 2020-06-30.
  22. Web site: Three fighters get temporary NAC suspensions extended after positive marijuana tests. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Danny Segura. 2020-08-05. 2020-08-05.
  23. Web site: Four UFC fighters suspended, fined for positive drug tests. espn.com. Marc Raimondi. 2020-09-03. 2020-09-03.

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