UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font explained

UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font
Promotion:Ultimate Fighting Championship
Venue:Bridgestone Arena
City:Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Attendance:17,792[1]
Gate:$2,102,127.12

UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font (also known as UFC on ESPN 50) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 5, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.[2]

Background

The event marked the promotion's sixth visit to Nashville and first since in March 2019.[2]

A bantamweight bout between former interim UFC Bantamweight Championship challenger Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov was expected to headline the event.[3] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the event in mid-July due to a shoulder injury.[4] He was replaced by Rob Font in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds.[5]

women's strawweight winner Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba were scheduled to meet in a women's strawweight bout.[6] However on June 20, it was announced that Jandiroba pulled out due to a knee injury and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade.[7]

Tagir Ulanbekov and Jake Hadley were expected to meet in a flyweight bout at this event.[8] However, Ulanbekov withdrew due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Cody Durden.[9]

A bantamweight bout between Said Nurmagomedov and Kyler Phillips was expected to take place at the event.[10] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.[11]

A light heavyweight bout between Ovince Saint Preux and Ion Cuțelaba was expected to take place at the event.[12] However, the bout was cancelled on July 20 for unknown reasons.[13]

Sean Woodson and Steve Garcia were expected to meet in a featherweight bout at the event.[14] However, the bout was scrapped after Garcia got injured and Woodson was booked against Jesse Butler.[15] In turn, Butler was removed by the Nevada Athletic Commission during fight week due to a recent knockout loss two months earlier.[16] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Mairon Santos.[17] However, due to visa issues, Santos was removed from the bout and replaced with promotional newcomer Dennis Buzukja.[18] At the weigh-ins, Buzukja weighed in at 146.5 pounds, half a pound over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Woodson.[19]

Results

[20]

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UFC on ESPN 50 post-event facts: Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font set dubious record for lack of strikes. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2023-08-06. 2023-08-06.
  2. Web site: UFC heading to Nashville, Tenn. on Aug. 5, says commission. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2023-06-12. 2023-06-12.
  3. Web site: UFC books Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov headliner for Nashville. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King and Matthew Wells. 2023-06-15. 2023-06-15.
  4. Web site: Umar Nurmagomedov out of UFC on ESPN 50 main event vs. Cory Sandhagen. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-19. 2023-07-19.
  5. Web site: Rob Font steps into UFC Nashville main event vs. Cory Sandhagen after Umar Nurmagomedov's withdrawal. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-20. 2023-07-20.
  6. Web site: Tatiana Suarez draws Virna Jandiroba for strawweight return in August. mmamania.com. Drake Riggs. 2023-05-18. 2023-05-20.
  7. Web site: Virna Jandiroba injured; Tatiana Suarez to face former UFC champ Jessica Andrade in Nashville. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matthew Wells and Nolan King. 2023-06-20. 2023-06-20.
  8. Web site: UFC matchmaking bulletin (5/22-5/27): UFC 291 gets welterweight addition, two cancelations. mmanews.com. Harvey Leonard. 2023-05-28. 2023-06-06.
  9. Web site: Tagir Ulanbekov out, Cody Durden in vs Jake Hadley for UFC Nashville. itnwwe.com. Shivam Tiwari. 2023-05-28. 2023-06-06.
  10. Web site: UFC: Kyler Phillips vs. Said Nurmagomedov booked for August 5. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2023-05-23. 2023-07-20.
  11. Web site: "All the Nurmagomedovs pulling out" - Said Nurmagomedov pulling out of UFC Nashville shortly after Umar Nurmagomedov creates frenzy among fans. sportskeeda.com. Krishna Venki. 2023-07-20. 2023-07-20.
  12. Web site: 2023-06-07. Tennessee's Ovince Saint Preux meets Ion Cutelaba at UFC Fight Night expected for Nashville. 2023-07-16. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King.
  13. Web site: BREAKING: Another fight called off from UFC Nashville card. sportskeeda.com. Pranav Pandey. 2023-07-20. 2023-07-20.
  14. Web site: Jeremiah Wells vs. Carlston Harris, Sean Woodson vs. Steve Garcia announced for UFC Nashville. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2023-07-20. 2023-07-31.
  15. Web site: Sean Woodson vs Jesse Butler set for Aug 5 UFC event. itnwwe.com. News Desk. 2023-07-19. 2023-07-31.
  16. Web site: Jesse Butler out of UFC Nashville, Sean Woodson seeks third opponent. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2023-07-31. 2023-07-31.
  17. Web site: Sean Woodson gets third opponent in Mairon Santos Alves at UFC on ESPN 50. sherdog.com. Tudor Leonte. 2023-08-01. 2023-08-01.
  18. Web site: Fourth opponent?!?!? UFC Nashville adds last-minute fight to thrashed card with just days until showtime. mmamania.com. Drake Riggs. 2023-08-01. 2023-08-01.
  19. Web site: UFC on ESPN 50 weigh-in results: Short notice leads to one heavy fighter in Nashville. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2023-08-04. 2023-08-04.
  20. Web site: UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font. Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2023-06-15.
  21. Web site: UFC on ESPN 50 bonuses: Tatiana Suarez among five $50,000 'Music City' winners. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matt Erickson. 2023-08-06. 2023-08-06.

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