Tag: Anthony Pettis

UFC 249 post-event facts: Justin Gaethje adds to historic bonus run

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 249, which saw Justin Gaethje beat Tony Ferguson to win interim gold in the main event.

The UFC made its return on Saturday with UFC 249, which took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | Jacksonville, Fla., with a main card that aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Two thrilling championship bouts capped the event. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) claimed interim lightweight gold with a fifth-round TKO of [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) in the main event, while [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) finished [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) to defend his bantamweight belt then retired in the co-headliner.

There was much more of note on the card, too. For more on the numbers, check below for 50 post-event facts to come out of UFC 249.

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General

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The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $305,500.

Ferguson and [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC 249 fight-night bonuses. Gaethje received two bonuses for $100,000.

UFC 249 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.

Betting favorites went 9-2 on the card.

Betting favorites fell to 5-4 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 11-bout card was 2:25:23.

Main card

Justin Gaethje

Gaethje became the first in MMA history to win titles in UFC and WSOF.

Gaethje has earned 20 of his 22 career victories by stoppage. That includes all five of his UFC wins.

Gaethje is the only fighter in UFC history to win at least one fight-night bonus in each of his first seven octagon appearances.

Gaethje has been awarded nine fight-night bonuses in seven UFC appearances.

Gaethje’s nine UFC fight-night bonuses since 2017 are most of any fighter in the company.

Ferguson had his 12-fight winning streak snapped for his first defeat since May 2012.

Ferguson suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

Ferguson has been awarded a fight-night bonus in eight of his past nine UFC appearances.

Cejudo became the second fighter in UFC history to record successful title defenses in two weight classes. Daniel Cormier also accomplished the feat.

Henry Cejudo

Cejudo improved to 7-0 in bantamweight competition during his career.

Cejudo has landed at least one takedown in all but one of his UFC fights where he’s attempted a takedown.

Cruz suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since June 2016.

Cruz suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

Francis Ngannou

Ngannou’s (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) four-fight UFC winning streak at heavyweight is the longest active streak in the division.

Ngannou has earned all 15 of his career victories by stoppage. That includes all 10 of his UFC wins.

Ngannou has earned his past four victories by knockout in a combined 2:42 of cage time.

Ngannou’s 10 stoppage victories since 2015 in UFC competition are tied with Thiago Santos and Charles Oliveira for most in the company.

Ngannou’s 10 stoppage victories since 2015 in UFC heavyweight competition are most in the division

[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) had his 10-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of her career.

[autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has earned all four of his UFC stoppage victories by knockout.

[autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC) fell to 8-9 (with one no contest) since he dropped to the UFC featherweight division in May 2013.

Stephens’ 17 losses in UFC competition are the most in company history.

[autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) earned the first decision victory of his career.

[autotag]Yorgan De Castro[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had his six-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

Preliminary card

Anthony Pettis

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 10-9 UFC) improved to 2-1 since he moved up to the UFC welterweight division in March 2019.

Pettis improved to 5-8 in his past 13 UFC appearances dating back to when he lost the UFC lightweight title in March 2015.

[autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]’s (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) four-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since May 2019.

[autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (59-13-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) earned his first decision victory since Aug. 26, 2010 – a span of 3,544 days (nearly 10 years) and 25 fights.

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) fell to 9-4 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in February 2012.

Werdum has suffered six of his nine career losses by decision.

[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) improved to 6-3 since losing the UFC strawweight title to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.

Esparza’s seven victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Jedrzejczyk (10).

Esparza has earned six of her seven UFC victories by decision.

Esparza has completed at least one takedown against 10 of her 11 UFC opponents.

Esparza’s 34 takedowns landed in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history.

[autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] (17-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has suffered three of her four UFC losses by decision.

Vicente Luque

[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] (18-7-1 MMA, 11-3 UFC) has earned 16 of his 18 career victories by stoppage. That includes 10 of his 11 UFC wins.

Luque’s 10 stoppage victories since 2015 in UFC welterweight competition are most in the division during that span.

Luque’s 10 stoppage victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Matt Brown (13) and Matt Hughes (12).

[autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights.

Price has suffered all four of his career losses by stoppage.

[autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has earned three of his four UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past eight fights.

Rosa has suffered three of his four career losses by decision.

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]’s (18-5 MMA, 4-0 UFC) four-fight UFC winning streak at light heavyweight is tied with Jon Jones and Magomed Ankalaev for the longest active streak in the division.

[autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]’s (33-14 MMA, 10-9 UFC) four-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since June 2018.

Alvey fell to 2-4 since he moved up to the UFC light-heavyweight division in February 2018.

Alvey has suffered 10 of his 14 career losses by decision.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

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UFC 249 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Third highest event payout in program history

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 249 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $330,500.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 249 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $305,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 249 took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

The full UFC 249 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]: $30,000
def. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Yorgan De Castro[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]: $15,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,598,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $32,603,000

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC 249 with vintage Tom Petty, Cypress Hill in an empty arena

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC 249 event in Jacksonville, Fla.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

Inside, see what the fighters from UFC 249 went with as their backing tracks in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Twitter reacts to Anthony Pettis’ victory over Donald Cerrone in UFC 249 rematch

See the top Twitter reactions to Anthony Pettis’ victory against Donald Cerrone at UFC 249.

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] made is 2-0 over [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] in his career on Saturday when he won the second meeting between the pair at UFC 249.

After winning by first-round KO in their first meeting in January 2013, Pettis (23-10 MMA, 10-9 UFC) came out on top against with a unanimous decision victory over Cerrone (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) in the welterweight matchup, which took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. With the win, “Showtime” improved to 2-1 at 170 pounds.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Pettis’ victory over “Cowboy” at UFC 249.

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UFC 249 results: Anthony Pettis edges Donald Cerrone in grueling battle

Both veterans went into UFC 249 in need of a victory, but Pettis was the one who left victorious.

It’s unfortunate both [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] came into their UFC 249 matchup badly in need of a victory Saturday night, because the two veteran warriors put on a show in which neither could fairly be called a loser.

The scorecards, though, declared Pettis (22-11 MMA, 9-10 UFC) the winner in their welterweight preliminary card headliner after a hard-fought battle, earning 29-28 scores across the board.

“I thought it was close,” Pettis admitted in his post-fight interview. “I just went in and fought. He’s a legend, man. He’s a friend.”

The matchup started at a tentative pace, with the duo taking their time working out their range. Cerrone (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) had his highlight in the first round when he stymied Pettis’ attempt at a switched kick and turned it into a double-leg takedown.

Pettis, though, landed the heavier shots in the round. By the second round. Cerrone’s left eye begin swelling, and it was clear Pettis’s confidence in his striking was growing. Cerrone, however, had the best of the wrestling game throughout the fight. and this managed to keep the second round close.

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The fighters went for broke in the final round, but things really picked up after an accidental eye poke by Pettis went uncalled by the referee. Cerrone responded with a wicked head kick that Pettis somehow absorbed, and by keeping himself together, Pettis managed to survive to the end and leave with the decision victory.

Pettis, a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, improved to 2-2 in his past four with his fifth career decision victory. Cerrone, after his seventh career decision loss, has now lost fought straight fights.

The fight was a rematch. Pettis took the first bout in January 2014 with a first-round TKO.

The welterweight bout closed out the UFC 249 preliminary card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. It aired on ESPN/ESPN+ following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 249 results include:

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UFC 249: Best three-fight parlay in Jacksonville

Highlighting Saturday’s UFC 249 with a three-fight parlay, with odds, analysis and picks.

UFC 249 goes off from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday night, the first live sporting event in the United States since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. While there will be no fans in attendance, that shouldn’t affect the wagering aspect of the event, giving sports-starved bettors finally something to wager on.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 7 at 8:35 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC 249? Place them at BetMGM. New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone betting odds

Per BetMGM, Pettis (-150) is favored over Cowboy (+125) on the 2-way betting line, but that’s not the wager to make.

Pettis is 9-9 in 18 bouts at the UFC level, while posting a 1-3 mark across the past four outings, and 4-8 in the past 12. He has been knocked out in three of his past eight appearances, while four of his previous six victories have come via submission. In other words, he doesn’t see the judges getting involved in his fights very often.

For Cerrone, he is 0-3 across his past three outings. However, while he has been knocked out in those losses, it has been against the cream of the crop in Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson – the latter two are the main event Saturday in a bout for the lightweight strap.

Meanwhile, Cowboy is back in the welterweight class, where he has a little more experience. He was knocked out by Pettis at UFC on FOX Jan. 26, 2013, and only three of his previous 17 bouts have gone the distance.

The best bet here is to take UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-125) in our three-piece parlay.

Also see:

Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson betting odds

Esparza (-159) is a moderate favorite over Waterson, a.k.a. “The Karate Hottie.” The latter hasn’t been so hot for bettors in the octagon lately, however, going just 3-3 in his past six bouts. More importantly, Waterson has gone the distance in each of her past five bouts.

For Esparza, all five of her victories have at the UFC level have come via decision, including four of the unanimous variety. She topped Alexa Grasso Sept. 21, 2019 by majority decision last time out. Avoid any bets on the 2-way line, but look to the OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-455) for part II of this three-fight parlay.

Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price betting odds

Luque (-304) is a heavy favorite in this early preliminary bout, but like the previous two fights, look to the round total play for the final play of our three-fight parlay.

Eight of Luque’s past 10 professional wins have come in the second round or earlier, and four of his past five have come via KO/TKO. Only one of his 10 victories have come via decision, too.

For Price, all 10 of his UFC fights have finished inside the distance, and he has never ventured into the third round in any of his bouts. Seven of the outcomes, win or lose, have been via knockout, with three coming by way of submission. He doesn’t leave it in the hands of the judges either way. As such, playing NO (-400) on WILL THE FIGHT GO THE FULL 3 ROUNDS? is the way to go.

New to sports betting? A $20 THREE-PLAY PARLAY wager on these three options will pay a little more than 1.74 to 1, netting a profit of $34.89.

  • UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS IN PETTIS-CERRONE (-125)
  • OVER 2.5 ROUNDS IN ESPARZA-WATERSON (-455)
  • NO (-400) FIGHT GOES FULL 3 ROUNDS IN LUQUE-PRICE

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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8 burning questions heading into UFC 249

MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle breaks down eight key storylines heading into the first major live sports event during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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After an unimaginable series of twists and turns, the UFC returns to action Saturday night with the two-title-fight extravaganza that is UFC 249.

This is the first UFC card since March 14, as the entire sports world has been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UFC 249 was originally slated to take place in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 18, and feature the long-awaited lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]. 

The New York location was scrapped when the state shut down due to the coronavirus. The UFC then made an ill-advised attempt to run the card on tribal land in California, but the card was shut down due to political pressure.

Now, the state of Florida has greenlit the event, which will be held behind closed doors in Jacksonville, Fla., and will be headlined by Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) vs. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] for an interim lightweight title, while [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] puts his bantamweight title on the line against former UFC and WEC champ [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag]. 

UFC 249 takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Without further ado, then, here are eight burning questions leading into UFC 249.

Can Justin Gaethje get his signature win?

Call Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) the former World Series of Fighting lightweight champ. Call him the people’s champ. Call him the “Fight of the Night” king.

All these titles would be true. But the validation of wearing a UFC championship belt in the sport’s deepest weight class, even if it is of the promotionally convenient interim variety, would be the long-sought validation that he’s not just an extra tough brawler but, in fact, one of the truly elite mixed martial artists on the planet.

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Gaethje has racked up a ridiculous seven post-fight bonuses in six UFC fights, and he’s won three bouts in a row, all via first-round knockout.

But the very top of the division, from a marquee perspective, consists of champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ferguson, and Conor McGregor. And until recently, Gaethje was boxed out of dates with the big three.

That changed when Nurmagomedov had to withdraw from UFC 249 due to travel restrictions and Gaethje had his chance to step up. It’s almost needless to say, but if Gaethje can end Ferguson’s eight-year-long win streak, he won’t have a problem getting the biggest fights for a long time to come. 

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Anthony Pettis’ plan to get his mojo back starts with Donald Cerrone rematch at UFC 249

The coronavirus pandemic has caused Anthony Pettis to look at his career with a new perspective going into UFC 249.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] to look at his career with new perspective, and he hopes it pays off against Donald Cerrone at UFC 249.

Pettis (22-10 MMA, 9-9 UFC), like most of the world, has been living in quarantine since mid-March due to the global COVID-19 crisis. The lockdown made him realize that, even as a former UFC champion, he hadn’t been effectively managing his time both from a mental and training perspective.

The results haven’t been kind to “Showtime” since losing the UFC lightweight title in 2015. He’s 4-8 in his past 12 fights, albeit against a string of high-level competition. That’s not a valid excuse to Pettis, though, and he wants to turn it around and be more consistent.

Titles and rankings mean nothing to him these days. Winning is the sole objective.

“I think I need to get my confidence back. That’s what I’m focusing on now,” Pettis told reporters during Thursday’s UFC 249 virtual media day. “This quarantine made me readjust and rethink. Even in practice I’m better than most of the guys I train with. It’s just putting it together in the octagon in the moments that matter. It’s just putting together the rounds.”

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For Pettis, there’s no better scenario to turn the tide than what UFC 249 offers. He already owns a first-round knockout win over Cerrone (36-14 MMA, 23-11 UFC) from their first meeting in January 2013, and the pair have formed a friendship and trained together since. There’s familiarity involved, and Pettis said it all adds up to him having the upper hand on fight night.

“When you beat somebody, it’s always there in the back of their head,” Pettis said. “No matter what, I don’t care how many fights you have past that, a loss is a loss. I feel I got the mental advantage already. I know his weaknesses; he knows my weaknesses. It’s going to be who can exploit it, who is in better shape and who wants it more.”

The welterweight matchup headlines the UFC 249 prelims, which air on ESPN and ESPN+ prior to the pay-per-view main card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. Pettis has bounced between weight classes in recent years, and after fighting at lightweight in a submission loss to Diego Ferreira at UFC 246 in January, he’s back up to 170 pounds due to the short-notice nature of the fight.

Pettis said he’s feeling at his best, despite only having 21 days’ notice. He thinks he can thrive under these circumstances and hopes to prove it with a vintage effort.

“I’m in one of them spots where I took risks,” Pettis said. “I won the world title at 155 pounds, I fought for the title at 145 pounds, and I jumped up to 170 pounds. I’m kind of all over the place with my fights. I’m trying to find a home. Once I find a home, once I find a home where I’m comfortable – I think 170.

“‘Cowboy’ isn’t going to go in there wrestling, but we’ll see. I doubt it, though. I doubt he’s going to try to go in there and put me down. It’s a striking match the world wants to see, and that’s what I’m excited about.”

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UFC 249 prelims pre-event facts: Donald Cerrone’s resume remains unmatched

The best facts, figures and footnotes about the UFC 249 prelims, where Donald Cerrone rematches Anthony Pettis in the featured bout.

The UFC’s return from the coronavirus pandemic goes down Saturday with UFC 249, which takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., and features a deep preliminary card.

Headlining the action, which airs on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass, is a welterweight rematch between two all-time fan favorites. [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (22-10 MMA, 9-9 UFC) and [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-14 MMA, 23-11 UFC) will run it back after “Showtime” stopped “Cowboy” by first-round TKO when they met at UFC on FOX 6 in January 2013.

It’s an important fight for both men, but it doesn’t represent all the prelim lineup has to offer. For more on the numbers, check below for 70 pre-event facts about the UFC 249 prelims.

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Featured ESPN prelim

Anthony Pettis

Pettis returns to the UFC welterweight division after a one-fight stint at lightweight. He’s 1-1 when fighting in the weight class.

Pettis is one of nine fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes.

Pettis is 4-8 in his past 12 UFC appearance dating back to when he lost the UFC lightweight title in March 2015.

Pettis has earned 18 of his 22 career victories by stoppage. That includes seven of his nine UFC wins.

Pettis’ five submission victories from a bottom position in UFC/WEC competition are tied with Diaz for most in combined company history.

Donald Cerrone

Cerrone has fought on Spike, Versus, FUEL TV, pay-per-view, FOX, FS1, UFC Fight Pass, ESPN and ESPN+ during his UFC tenure.

Cerrone competes in his 35th UFC bout, the most appearances in company history.

Cerrone makes his 45th UFC/WEC appearance, the most in combined organizational history.

Cerrone’s 45 appearances in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are most in combined organizational history.

Cerrone makes his 12th UFC welterweight appearance. He’s 6-5 when fighting in the weight class.

Cerrone’s 24 appearances since 2014 in UFC competition are most in the company.

Cerrone’s 23 victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Cerrone’s 29 victories in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are most in combined organization history.

Cerrone’s 17 victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Jim Miller (19).

Cerrone’s 16 stoppage victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Cerrone’s 20 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC competition are the most in combined organizational history.

Cerrone’s 20 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are tied with Wanderlei Silva for second most in combined organizational history behind Mirko Cro Cop (21).

Cerrone’s 10 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13) and Miller (12).

Cerrone’s seven knockout victories stemming from kicks in UFC competition are most in company history. No one else has more than four.

Cerrone’s eight submission victories in UFC/WEC lightweight competition are tied for third most in combined divisional history behind Miller (nine) and Nate Diaz (nine).

Cerrone’s 20 knockdowns landed in UFC competition are most in company history.

Cerrone has landed 378 leg kicks in UFC competition, the fourth most in company history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (430), Thiago Alves (383) and Jon Jones (380).

Cerrone defends 90 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class and second highest in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (92 percent).

Cerrone’s 23 fight-night bonuses in UFC/WEC bouts are the most in combined organizational history.

Cerrone’s 18 fight-night bonuses in UFC bouts are most in company history.

Other ESPN prelims

Aleksei Oleinik

[autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (58-13-1 MMA, 7-4 UFC), 42, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC heavyweight division and is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Oleinik is the only fighter in MMA history to earn victories in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s).

Oleinik’s average fight time of 5:26 in UFC heavyweight fights is fourth shortest in divisional history behind Cyril Asker (3:24), Todd Duffee (3:26) and Shane Carwin (4:55).

Oleinik has earned 54 of his 58 career victories by stoppage. That includes all seven of his UFC wins.

Oleinik has earned 46 of his 58 career victories by submission.

Oleinik’s six submission victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Stefan Struve for second most in divisional history behind Frank Mir (eight).

Oleinik has earned two of the three Ezekiel-choke submission victories in UFC history. He accomplished the feat at UFC 224 and UFC Fight Night 103. Remco Pardoel also won with the technique at UFC 2.

Oleinik attempts 2.76 submissions per 15 minutes of fighting in UFC heavyweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.

Fabricio Werdum

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (23-8-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since March 17, 2018. The 784-day layoff is the longest of his nearly 18-year career.

Werdum is 9-3 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in February 2012.

Werdum and Marcin Tybura combined for 282 significant strikes landed at UFC Fight Night 121, the second most in a UFC heavyweight bout Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (304) at UFC 241.

Carla Esparza

[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) was the first UFC strawweight champion. She lost the belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.

Esparza is 5-3 since losing the UFC strawweight title to Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.

Esparza’s six victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10), Jessica Andrade (seven) and Angela Hill (seven).

Esparza has completed at least one takedown against nine of her 10 UFC opponents.

Esparza’s 33 takedowns landed in UFC strawweight competition are tied with Claudia Gadelha for most in divisional history.

Esparza has earned five of her six UFC victories by decision.

Michelle Waterson

[autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] (17-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has completed at least one takedown against seven of her eight UFC opponents.

Waterson’s two submission victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Rose Namajunas (three) and Cynthia Calvillo (three).

Waterson lands 52.9 percent of her significant strike attempts in UFC strawweight competition, the third best rate in divisional history behind Suarez (65.8 percent) and Paige VanZant (53 percent).

[autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the head. Renan Barao and Magomed Mustafaev also accomplished the feat.

Ronaldo Souza

[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2018.

Souza returns to the UFC middleweight division after an unsuccessful one-fight stint at light heavyweight.

Souza’s 14 victories in UFC/Strikeforce middleweight competition are tied for third most in combined divisional history behind Michael Bisping (16) and Luke Rockhold (15).

Souza’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC/Strikeforce middleweight competition are second most in combined divisional history behind Rockhold (13).

Souza’s seven fight-night bonuses fo UFC middleweight bouts are tie for third most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (12) and Yoel Romero (eight).

Vicente Luque

[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]’s (17-7-1 MMA, 10-3 UFC) has earned 15 of his 17 career victories by stoppage. That includes nine of his 10 UFC wins.

Luque’s nine stoppage victories since 2015 in UFC welterweight competition are most in the division during that span.

Luque’s nine stoppage victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Matt Brown (13) and Matt Hughes (12).

Luque is one of seven fighters in UFC history to earn their first nine victories with the promotion by stoppage. Lauzon, Francis Ngannou, Vitor Belfort, Don Frye, Gabriel Gonzaga and Royce Gracie also accomplished the feat.

Luque and Bryan Barberena combined for 332 significant strikes at UFC on ESPN 1, the third most for a three-round fight in UFC history behind Karol Rosa vs. Lara Procopio (336) at UFC on ESPN+ 15 and Diaz vs. Cerrone (334) at UFC 141.

Luque’s two D’Arce choke victories in UFC competition are tied with Dustin Poirier for second most in company history behind Tony Ferguson (three).

Luque is one of 17 fighters in UFC history to earn a submission victory by anaconda choke. He accomplished the feat at UFC on FOX 17.

Niko Price

[autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past five fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 19.

Price’s average fight time of 5:35 in UFC welterweight competition is second shortest among active fighters in the weight class behind Abdul Razak Alhassan (4:57).

Price has earned 13 of his 14 career victories by stoppage. That includes all six of his UFC wins.

Price is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from an upkick. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 19. Jon Fitch also won with the technique.

Price has earned two of the three knockout victories in UFC history stemming from bottom position. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 19 and UFC Fight Night 133.

Bryce Mitchell

[autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a Twister submission victory. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 7. Chan Sung Jung also won with the technique.

[autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past seven fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN 6.

Rosa has been awarded four fight-night bonuses in his six-fight UFC career.

Rosa’s submission of Sean Soriano at 4:43 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 59 marked the latest finish in a three-round UFC featherweight bout.

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]’s (17-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC) three-fight UFC winning streak at light heavyweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Jones (four) and Magomed Ankalaev (four).

[autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]’s (33-13 MMA, 10-8 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since June 2018.

Alvey is 2-3 since he moved up to the UFC light-heavyweight division in February 2018.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.