UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson explained

UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson
Promotion:Ultimate Fighting Championship
Venue:Tele2 Arena
City:Stockholm, Sweden
Attendance:30,000[1]
Gate:$3.1 million
Followingevent:UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz

UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson (also known as UFC on Fox 14) was a mixed martial arts event held on January 24, 2015, at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.[2]

Background

This was the fourth event that the UFC has held in Sweden and the first to take place in a different arena as the previous events were held at Ericsson Globe Arena. It was also the second stadium venue to host a UFC event after UFC 129, which took place at the Rogers Centre in Canada.[3]

The event was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson.[3] The UFC subsequently announced that the winner of the main event will receive a title shot against UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones.[4] Initially, the UFC was preparing a main event between Gustafsson and Rashad Evans.[5] On November 5, Evans announced he would not be ready during that time frame as he was still rehabilitating from a lingering knee injury.[6]

For the event to be broadcast live during Prime time hours on the east coast of North America, the main card began at 2:00 am (January 25) local time in Stockholm (CET), with a full preliminary card beginning at approximately 11:00 pm (January 24) local time.

Yan Cabral was expected to face Mairbek Taisumov at the event. On December 30, Cabral was pulled from the fight for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Anthony Christodoulou.[7]

Alan Omer was expected to face Mirsad Bektić at the event. On January 12, Omer pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Paul Redmond.[8]

Paul Redmond missed weight on his first attempt at the weigh ins, coming in at 149 pounds. He was given additional time to make the featherweight limit, but made no attempt to cut further. Instead, he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Mirsad Bektić.[9]

The event had the richest live gate in the company's history on the continent at $3.1 million. It also registered the UFC's second biggest attendance in history as 30,000 fans witnessed UFC's first visit to a European stadium.

Results

[10]

Bonus awards

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[11]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UFC on FOX 14 confirmed as largest European gate in promotion's history. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2015-01-24. 2015-01-25.
  2. Web site: Gustafsson vs. Johnson headlines Stockholm event in January. ufc.com. Staff. 2014-11-12. 2014-11-12.
  3. Web site: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson slated for UFC on FOX 14 in Sweden. mmajunkie.com. Dann Stupp. 2014-11-12. 2014-11-12.
  4. Web site: The winner of Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson will definitely get Jon Jones next. twitter.com. UFC on Fox. 2015-01-04. 2015-01-06.
  5. Web site: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Rashad Evans in the works for UFC main event on Jan. 24 in Sweden . Holland . Jesse . mmamania.com . October 20, 2014. October 20, 2014.
  6. Web site: Rashad Evans out of proposed fight with Alexander Gustafsson in January . foxsports.com . November 5, 2014. November 5, 2014.
  7. Web site: Mairbek Taisumov gets new opponent for UFC on FOX 14 in Sweden . mmajunkie.com . Staff. December 30, 2014. December 30, 2014.
  8. Web site: Paul Redmond replaces Alan Omer at UFC on FOX 14 in Stockholm . mmajunkie.com . Staff. January 12, 2015. January 12, 2015.
  9. Web site: UFC on FOX 14 weigh-in results: Gustafsson (205), 'Rumble' (204) on weight. mmajunkie.com. Staff. January 23, 2015. January 23, 2015.
  10. Web site: UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson . Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2014-11-10.
  11. Web site: UFC on FOX 14 bonuses: Who joined 'Rumble' Johnson in getting $50,000 richer?. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2015-01-24.