Tag: Caolan Loughran

Caolan Loughran pushes for Abu Dhabi fight after UFC London win

Caolan Loughran avenged a 2018 amateur loss to Nathan Fletcher with a close win.

LONDON – [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag] beat Nathan Fletcher with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 255 at The O2 in London.

Take a look inside the fight with Loughran, who avenged a 2018 amateur loss to Fletcher with the close win.

Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher

Result: Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Loughran (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Fletcher (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Key stats: Fletcher landed nearly twice as many total strikes, but Loughran landed six takedowns.

Loughran on the fight’s key moment

Loughran on his Fletcher rivalry

Loughran on what he wants next

“I just want to fight in Abu Dhabi. Time wise, it just works well. It’s kind of a hub for MMA. I’d love to fight (Raul) Rosas Jr. … I’d like to fight Cameron Saiman if he can get a win. … There’s a lot of guys. Bantamweight is so good.”

To hear more from Loughran, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

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UFC Fight Night 255 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Jan Blachowicz hits top tier after 10 years

Jan Blachowicz and Kevin Holland were the highest paid under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance program at UFC London.

LONDON – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 255 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $204,000.

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 Fight Night 255 took place at The O2. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 255 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Gunnar Nelson[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Alexia Thainara[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Molly McCann[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Chris Duncan[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Jordan Vucenic[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Morgan Charriere[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Chris Padilla[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jai Herbert[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Felipe dos Santos[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Mick Parkin[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Christian Leroy Duncan[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andrey Pulyaev[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Shauna Bannon[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Puja Tomar[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Nathan Fletcher[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Kaue Fernandes[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Guram Kutateladze[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’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 2551 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

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 2025 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,949,500
2024 total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $32,967,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

UFC Fight Night 255 play-by-play, live results

Check out live round-by-round updates and official results from UFC London.

LONDON – UFC Fight Night 255 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) from The O2 (ESPN+).

Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) takes on Sean Brady (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in the main event. In the light heavyweight co-feature, ex-champ Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) meets Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC).

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 1 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN+ and 4 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN+.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

UFC London lineup

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 4, 1:39
  • Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:32
  • Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:42
  • Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1 p.m. ET)

  • Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
  • Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 3:22
  • Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady

Round 1 – Brady comes out throwing in a hurry and takes the center of the cage. He hits a combo, then pushes forward again with more. Edwards is backing up for the first minute and playing defense looking to counter. Brady lands a right, but Edwards counters with a solid body kick. They tie up briefly, but there’s not much to it. Edwards looks pretty calm on the outside. He’s got length and reach to his advantage, but two minutes in it’s a big combination from Brady that is the best of the fight so far. With 90 seconds left in the round, Brady pushes Edwards to the fence for the first true wrestling encounter in the fight. Edwards reverses things and they pivot off the fence to the center of the cage and Brady lands a trip takedown. There’s no damage down the stretch, but it helps score points.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Brady

Round 2 – Brady shoots for a takedown immediately. Like, faster than immediately if that’s possible. It’s not super clean, but it keeps Edwards off guard long enough he eventually has the fight to the canvas. This is Brady’s element, and he starts in half-guard. He quickly transitions around, though, and he’s got the back. Soon after, he gets the body triangle tightened up, and there’s more than three minutes for him to work. Edwards is strictly defensive at this point and he’ll have to fend off rear-naked choke attempts and short punches to the head. Edwards tries to fire backward elbows, and with two minutes left he forces a scramble and at least gets out of the triangle. Brady moves to half-guard, then looks for a kimura on Edwards’ right arm. Edwards is in a lot of trouble, but he defends nicely. With 45 seconds left, Brady takes his back for a few, then scrambles back to the top for some late ground-and-pound.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Brady

Round 3 – After a minute of slow playing, Edwards shoots a seriously ill-advised takedown attempt. It’s not a particularly good one, and he gives his neck to Brady on a silver platter. Brady gets it to the canvas and gets to full mount. Edwards stays defensive and tries to work his way back to his feet while Brady tries to find his way back to another submission attempt. Edwards is back to his back with Brady on top looking for ground-and-pound. It’s all control for Brady. There’s not incredibly damaging shots, but he’s trading between enough to be annoying and looking for that finish. It’s another easy round for Brady.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Brady

Round 4 – Brady easily gets his arms around Edwards and scoops him up for a double-leg takedown. And very seriously, with more than four minutes left in the round, the London fans are heading for the exits with their home country favorite dominating. And from the top, just seconds later, Brady locks up a single-arm guillotine choke from up top, and it’s tight … and it’s over. Insanely big win for Brady, and it was dominant from start to finish – like, it wasn’t ever close.

Result: Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 4, 1:39
Recap: Sean Brady dominates, submits ex-champ Leon Edwards
Photos: Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Edwards (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC), Brady (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog

Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg

Round 1 – Ulberg works on the outside looking for an opening. He’s light on his feet and throws a couple quick left crosses to open the striking. Blachowicz presses forward and appears to be looking to find a spot to impose some power early. Ulberg looks patient 90 seconds in and pretty easily dances away from some jabs. He throws a solid leg kick, then a big left hand behind it that Blachowicz reacts to. Blachowicz responds with a leg kick of his own, then another midway through the round. More kicks to the lead leg for Blachowicz, who has used that to his benefit in the past. Blachowicz kicks high, but it’s blocked. Ulberg gets off a combination, but they trade some heavy kicks to the shins. Blachowicz misses with a high kick again. Neither landed a killer shot, but Blachowicz takes a close 10-9 round on the unofficial Junkie card based on the forward movement and activity.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Blachowicz

Round 2 – There’s no real pick-up in pace in the second. They trade low leg kicks, looking for openings. Never is there more than a couple pops at a time, perhaps owing to how critical a win is for each fighter. Neither seems willing to take a big enough risk to get in trouble, which makes the round again a tough one to score. Flip a coin.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ulberg

Round 3 – Who will be the first one to truly take a chance? The activity seems decidedly picked up in the first minute, and a minute in, Ulberg shoots for a takedown. Blachowicz rather easily stuffs it, then goes back to kicking. Statistically, the fight is very close. It hasn’t been sexy. It hasn’t been Fight of the Night quality. And for someone who normally throws with high volume, Ulberg has scaled way back. Midway through the final round, it’s just as even as the first 10 minutes. Blachowicz comes forward with power and maybe looks more fatigued – maybe? But if that’s the case, Ulberg isn’t taking advantage. He lands a good right, though, and some leg kicks. With 90 seconds left, someone still needs to do something to steal this thing. BLachowicz tries a takedown, but it’s not there. With a minute left, the crowd seems to want a brawl. Blachowicz tries some big power late to get the judges’ attention and a jumping kick. Honestly, it’s close, but if it’s all even everywhere, it seemed like Blachowicz did just a little more. Again, who knows.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Blachowicz, and the fight 29-28 Blachowicz

Result: Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Carlos Ulberg outpoints ex-champ Jan Blachowicz for 8th straight win
Photos: Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight. Night 255: Best photos
Records: Blachowicz (29-11-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC), Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby, Vito Paolillo 29-28

Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson

Round 1 – Holland comes out agressive with leg kicks. Big swings from Holland! Holland fighting well at distance. Nelson shoots and gets a takedown! Holland puts Nelson in an omoplata! Nelson picks him up and shakes out of it. Nelson now working from Holland’s guard. Short shots landing for Nelson. Holland with a close guard, trying to be conservative. More shots from Nelson. Nelson tries to get Holland’s back, but they scramble and Holland gets out. Back to striking. Oh! Holland drops Nelson. Ground-and-pound! Nelson looks out! The bell rings. Wow.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Holland.

Round 2 – Nelson is in trouble. Let’s see if he recovered. Big leg kicks by Holland. Nelson clinches Holland and presses him against the cage. Nelson is working hard for the takedown, but Holland is defending well. Great defense by Holland! After a ton of work, Nelson finally gets Holland to the ground with two minutes remaining. Solid ground-and-pound by Nelson. Holland landing shots from bottom, too! Final minute. Nelson controls Holland until the end of the round. Not much damage.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Nelson.

Round 3 – They clinch right off the bat and Holland punishes him with knees and uppercuts. Nelson gets a single leg takedown and gets it! Three and a half minutes remaining. Nelson gets the mount. Holland with a great scramble pushes Nelson off and recovers guard. Big shots from top by Nelson. He advances and moves to half guard. Oh! Nelson gets an arm triangle! It looks very tight! Holland gets out! He presses Nelson against the cage. Knees to the body by Holland! Big knee from Holland wobbles Nelson! Nelson pressing him against the cage. Nelson shoves Holland to the ground. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Nelson. Overall 28-28, draw.

Result: Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Kevin Holland drops Gunnar Nelson early, wins hard-fought decision
Photos: Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson at UFC Fight. Night 255: Best photos
Records: Holland (27-13 MMA, 14-10 UFC), Nelson (19-6-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Movahedi
Judging: David Lethaby, Anders Ohlsson, Darryl Ransom 29-28

Molly McCann vs. Alexia Thainara

Round 1 – Thainara immediately takes the center of the cage and comes out very aggressivein her attack. Big left hand land for Thainara! McCann with a body shot. Big takedown by Thainara! Elbows from bottom by McCann! McCann looking to set up a submission off ger back. Thainara controlling, but not doing much damage. Thainara now sith some big shots from top! She moves to side control on McCann. McCann recovers guard. Gorund-and-pound from Thainara. Two minutes left. A failed armbar attempt from McCann, let’s Thainara advance and get her back! Thainara going for the rear-naked choke! McCann escapes! Thainara sinks it again! There’s the tap!

Result: Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:32
Recap: Molly McCann retires from MMA after Alexia Thainara’s quick win
Photos: Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Thainara (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), McCann (14-8 MMA, 7-7 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Lucasz Bosacki

Chris Duncan vs. Jordan Vucenic

Round 1 – Vucenic takes the center of the cage. Oh! Giant right hand connects for Duncan! Vucenic goes down! Duncan jumps on him and gets a guillotine while being in Vucenic’s half guard. Vucenic breaks free and now he has Duncan in his guard. Vucenic gets back to his feet, but Ducan still has him tied up. Duncan presses Vucenic by the fence as he’s on top in turtle position. Knees from top by Duncan. Big lift and slam by Duncan. Duncan working from half guard. Duncan now controlling Vucenic from front headlock. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Duncan.

Round 2 – Early shot by Duncan and he gets it! Vucenic gets a guillotine, but Duncan defends well and gets out. Vucenic gets back on his feet, but is being pressed against the cage by Duncan. Vucenic breaks free. Nice combo by Vucenic. Right hand connects for Vucenic. Three minutes left. Vucenic shoots and Duncan stuffs it. Duncan has the front headlock on Vucenic. He’s looking for a choke. Vucenic gets up. Nice jabs by Vucenic. Vucenic shoots for a takedown and gets caught in a guillotine! There’s the tap! Duncan wins!

Result: Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:42
Recap: Chris Duncan submits Jordan Vucenic, calls out Terrance McKinney for UFC 314
Photos: Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Duncan (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Vucenic (13-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog

Morgan Charriere vs. Nathaniel Wood

Round 1 – They trade leg kicks. Oh! Big left hand connects for Wood. Oh! Giant righthand drops Charriere! Wood jumps on him! More shots from Wood! Charriere takes half guard and ties up Wood.  Wood snatches a guillotine! Charriere gets out and now he’s on top. Two minutes left. Wood working for a triangle choke from the bottom. It looks promsing. One minute left. Short punches from bottom by Wood. Charriere gets out. Shots to the body by Wood. Light ground-and-pound by Charriere. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Wood.

Round 2 – Leg kick by Wood. Bg left hand connects for Wood! Charriere gets stunned, but he carries on. Leg kick by Wood. He’s looking good, clearly outstriking Charriere. Good jab by Charriere. Leg kick, then a jab by Wood. Clean jab by Wood. Charriere havinga tough time with Wood on the feet. Three minutes left. They trade jabs. Thay trade kicks and Charriere loses balance and falls to the ground. He quickly gets up and presses Wood agaisnt the cage. Wood breaks free shortly after. Nice combo by Wood. Oh! Huge elbow connects for Charriere! Charriere shoots and Wood gets him in a guillotine. He uses that to reverse Charriere. They get back up and Charriere lands a solid elbow form the clinch. Jab by Wood. The bell rings. Close one.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Wood.

Round 3 – Big right hand by Wood. Wood pressing the action here. Both fighters a little more careful this round. Very low output here from both fighters. Three minutes left. Leg kick by Charriere, then jab. The jab by Wood has been a big difference maker here. Leg kick by Wood. They trade jabs. Final minute. Nice double jab by Wood. Big leg kick by Wood. More jabs and leg kicks from Wood get him scoring. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Wood. Overall 30-27, Wood.

Result: Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Wood (21-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC), Charriere (20-11-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Chris Lee, Anders Ohlsson, Clemens Werner 30-27

Jai Herbert vs. Chris Padilla

Round 1 – Herbet takes the center of the cage. Both fighters feinting a lot here, very tentative. Big leg kicks by Padilla. Not much going on here. Padilla staying on the outside with tons of movement and Herbet chasing. Two minutes left. Jab by Padilla. Big leg kicks by Padilla. One minute left. Padilla closes the distance and presses Herbet against the cage.Short knees to the legs by Padilla. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Padilla.

Round 2 – Sam dynamic here. Padilla stays on the outisede and Herbet chases. A head kick almost lands by Herbet. Leg kick by Padilla. Righthand lands for Padilla. Herbet is barely throwing here. Jab by Padilla. Three minutes left. Padilla closes the distance off a failed spinning attack from Herbet and presses Herbert against the cage. Knees to the legs by Padilla. Two minutes left. Herbet breaks free! They trade leg kicks. Body shot by Padilla. Herbert with a right hand. Padilla presses Herbert against the cage. Solid elbow from the clinch lands for Padilla. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Padilla.

Round 3 – Herbert likely needs a finish here. herbet chasing here, same dynamic as the first and second rounds. The crowd is growing restless. Leg kick by Padilla. Padilla closes the distance and presses Herbet against the cage. One, two lands for Herbert. We’re halfway through the round. Padilla, once again, presses Herbet against the cage. Not much going on here, just control. Padilla looking for the takedown, but Herbet defending well. they break apart. Oh, Padilla is split open on his left eyebrow. Padilla wobbles Herbet! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Padilla. Overall 30-27, Padilla.

Result: Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos: Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Padilla (16-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Herbert (13-6-1 MMA, 3-5-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Lukasz Bosacki
Judging: Darryl Ransom, Vito Paolillo 29-28. Anders Ohlsson 28-29.

Felipe dos Santos vs. Lone’er Kavanagh

Round 1 – Leg kick by dos Santos. Dos Santos pressing here. Oh! Big right hand stuns Kavanagh! Dos Santos presses Kavanagh against the cage. Kavanagh breaks free a few seconds after. Big leg kicks by dos Santos. Kavanagh with a leg kick of his own. They clinch. Kavanagh presses dos Santos against the cage, but he quickly breaks free. Oh! Spinning elbow by dos Santos! Kavanagh is cut and bleeding! Dos Santos closes the ditsnace and presses Kavanagh against the cage. Kavanagh reverses and takes down dos Santos but he immediately gets back to his feet. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, dos Santos.

Round 2 – Big leg kicks from Kavanagh! High paced action here. Dos Santos presses Kavanagh against the cage. Kavanagh gets free and they start brawling! Big shots from Kavanagh! Dos Santos shoots and gets reversed. He’s now on bottom. Solid ground-and-pound by Kavanagh! Dos Santos goes for a leg lock, but fails. Elbows from the bottom by dos Santos. Kavanagh with some heavy shots. Dos Santos tries to get up, but he gets dragged down by Kavanagh. Solid control from Kavanagh. Both landing shots here. Kavanagh is bleeding a ton. Nasty elbow by Kavanagh! Big elbows from dos Santos from bottom! Dos Santos gets up, but Kavanagh brings him right back down. Big shots from Kavanagh! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Kavanagh.

Round 3 – Leg kick by dos Santos. Kavanagh with a body kick. Dos Santos pressing the action here. Head kick by Kavanagh! Kavanagh shoots and gets Dos Santos to the ground. The referee warns dos Santos on up kicks. Complete control here by Kavanagh. Kavanagh has dos Santos cntrolled by the cage, Khabib style. Elbows from dos Santos from bottom. Dos Santos gets back up. He’s pressing Kavanagh. Kavanagh shoots and Dos Santos stuffs it! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Kavanagh. Overall 29-28, Kavanagh.

Result: Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Kavanagh (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), dos Santos (8-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Movahedi
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby, Clemens Werner 29-28.

Mick Parkin vs. Marcin Tybura

Round 1 – Both heavyweights meet in the middle. Oh! Clean combo by Tybura. Solid body kick by Tybura, but Parkin responds with a leg kick. Leg kick by Parkin. Jab by Parkin. Both guys landing solid combos here. Tybura closes the distance and tries to pindown Parkin against the fence, but unable to. Parkin pressing Tybura here. Nice combo by Parkin. Tybura with a takedown in the final seconds. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parkin.

Round 2 – Clean body kick lands for Tybura. Parkin catches a kick from Tybura and takes him down to the ground. Parkin moves to side control. Parkin looking to advance, but Tybura doing a good job at defending. Solid shots from top by Parkin! We’re halfway through the round. Tybura scrambles out and they’re back to striking! Nice uppercuts by Parkin! Parkin presses Tybura against the cage. He takes Tybura down. Tybura gets back up and he now presses Parkin against the cage. Short shots here and there by Tybura. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parkin.

Round 3 – Nice quick combo for Tybura! Parkin looks to be slowing down. Big left connects for Tybura. Jabs by Tybura. parkin connects with a right hand. Both guys are tired. Clean left lands for Tybura! Tybura is pressing here. Nice short shots from the clinch by Tybura. They break. Righthand lands for Parkin! Tybura with a quick combo! Another right by Parkin! Solid shot. Final minute here. They’re both landing, but not much power on either end. Tybura presses Parkin against the cage. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Tybura. Overall 29-28, Parkin.

Result: Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos5: Best photos
Records: Tybura (27-9 MMA, 14-8 UFC), Parkin (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Darryl Ransom, Chris Lee, Vito Paolillo 29-28.

Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Andrey Pulyaev

Round 1 – Duncan immediately takes the center of the cage and begins chasing Pulyaev. Oh! Huge combo connects for Duncan! Pulyaev eats the shots well. Duncan now pressing Pulyaev against the cage. They trade knees to the legs in close quarters. Pulyaev reverses and presses Duncan against the cage. Pulyaev working for the takedown, but unable to. Duncan reverses. Two minutes left. Duncan with solid control, but little damage. The referee breaks up the action and starts them back at striking range. A little less than a minute remaining. Body kick by Pulyaev. Leg kick by Duncan. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Duncan.

Round 2 – Oblique kick lands for Pulyaev. Duncan presses Pulyaev against the cage. Duncan controlling Pulyaev against the cage. Pulyaev reverses! Knee to the head by Pulyaev. Back to striking. Duncan chasing Pulyaev here. Leg kicks by Duncan. Body shot by Pulyaev. Two minutes left. Not a ton going on. Nasty body kick by Pulyaev. Oh! Big right-hand lands for Duncan. He’s turning up the heat. Solid body kick by Pulyaev. Leg kicks by Duncan. Pulyaev is mainly running here, not landing much. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Duncan.

Round 3 – Duncan wastes no time and presses Pulyaev against the cage. Pulyaev reverses. Duncan reverses and takes control. Not a ton going on. They break. Duncan back to chasing. Duncan ties up Pulyaev against the cage. Pulyaev reverses, but gets reverses hsortly after. Shoulder strikes by Duncan by the cage. One minute left. Knee by Duncan. They break. Duncan presses Pulyaev against the cage. Duncan with some nasty short elbows! Pulyaev is hurt! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Duncan. Overall 30-27, Duncan.

Result: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Photos: Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Andrey Pulyaev at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Duncan (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Pulyaev (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Clemens Werner 30-27. Anders Ohlsson 30-26.

Shauna Bannon vs. Puja Tomar

Round 1 – Nice quick como by Tomar. Bannon pushes Tomar against the cage, as she looks for a takedown. Short knees land for Bannon. Tmar breaks free. Big combo by Tomar! Oh! Another big right by Tomar. Bannon with a one, two. Head kick by Bannon! Nice sidekicks to the body by Bannon. Leg kick by Bannon. Another head kick by Bannon! Bannon keeping Tomar at range with side kicks, and Tomar doesn’t seem to have an answer to them so fra. Final minute. A couple of big right hands land for Tomar! The bell rings. Close round.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bannon.

Round 2 – Bannon back to pressing Tomar and keeping her at range with side-kicks. Bannon presses Tomar against the cage. Some knees to the body and legs land for Bannon. Another side-kick by Bannon. Bannon is spamming the side-kick. Oh! Giant head kick by Tomar drops! Big shots by Tomar on a downed Bannon! Bannon survives! Bannon locks an armbar! She adjusts, and there’s the tap!

Result: Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 3:22
Recap: Shauna Bannon turns tables on Puja Tomar with Round 2 armbar
Photos: Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Bannon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Tomar (9-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Lukasz Bosacki

Nathan Fletcher vs. Caolan Loughran

Round 1 – Jab lands for Fletcher, followed by a leg kick. Another low kicks lands for Fletcher. Fletcher with another leg kick. It seems they’re affecting Loughran. Solid right lands for Loughran. Loughran closes the distance and presses Fletcher against the cage. He gets the takedown! Fletcher scrambling to get back on his feet. He does, but still being presses against the cage. Short shots land for Loughran. He gets the takedown. Two minutes left. Fletcher gets back to his feet and breaks away from the clinch. Back to striking.Jab by Fletcher. Loughran catches a kick and presses Fletcher against the cage. Loughran with a takedown, but Fletcher reverses and end on top! Loughran gets up and presses Fletcher against the cage. Another takedown by Loughran. The bell rings. Very close round.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Loughran.

Round 2 – Fletcher gets the takedown early! Loughran gets up, but Fletcher controlling against the cage. Fletcher jumps on Loughran’s back while standing. He’s looking for the rear-naked choke. Short shots land for Fletcher. Fletcher in complete control here. Fletcher with more short shots. Two minutes left. Fletcher gets off Loughran’s back, but still controlling him against the cage. Loughran breaks free! Loughran presses Fletcher against the cage. Good elbow by Loughran on the break. Fletcher connects with a knee on Loughran, as Loughran went for the takedown. Loughran presses Fletcher against the cage. The bell ring.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fetcher.

Round 3 – Loughran presses Fletcher against gne cage, and gets an early takedown here. Loughran takes the back of Fletcher! Fletcher breaks free and they’re back to striking. Fletcher shoots, but Loughran stuffs the takedown. Loughran pressing Fletcher against the cage. Fletcher with a nice knee. He breaks free. Two minutes left. Loughran scores a takedown! Loughran is all over Fletcher. Fletcher keeps getting back up, but Loughran drags him back down. Front headlock by Fletcher! Nice knees by Fletcher. Oh! Elbow by Fletcher. Solid combo by Fletcher. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fletcher. Overall 29-28, Fletcher.

Result: Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Loughran (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Fletcher (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Movahedi
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Vito Paolillo 29-28. Anders Ohlsson 28-29.

Kaue Fernandes vs. Guram Kutateladze

Round 1 – Kutateladze takes the center of the cage. Both fghters being very cautious here. Leg kicks by Fernandes. Big leg kick by Fernandes! Kutateladze has yet to fire. Another leg kick by Fernandes. Kutateladze closes the distance and fails on a shot. Three minutes left. Head kick by Fernandes drops Kutateladze! Kutateladze back up. He seems to be fine. Two minutes left. Jab by Fernandes. Big leg kick by Fernandes. Kutateladze has very little to no output. Kutateladze shoots for a takedown and fails again. More leg kicks by Fernandes. Body kick by Fernandes. Final minute. Kutateladze’s nose and leg is red from damage taken by Fernandes. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fernandes.

Round 2 – Oh! Nasty leg kick by Fernandes drops Kutateladze! Kutateladze is in pain. Fernandes follows him to the ground and begin landing shots. He lets Kutateladze back up. Kutateladze can barely stand. Kutateladze now bleeding from his nose. Kutateladze’s mobility seems to be getting better.  Another big leg kick by Fernandes. More leg kicks. Three minutes left. Kutateladze is getting light up here. Kutateladze shoots and Fernandes stuffs the takedown. Two minutes left. Big counter right by Fernandes wobbles Kutateladze! The fight hits the ground after a scramble and Fernandes ends on top. Final minute. Kutateladze looks to be fading fast. They get back up. Fernandes tries a takedown, but fails. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fernandes.

Round 3 – Kutateladze needs a finish here. He’s clearly down two rounds. Props to Kutateladze, he’s still pressing despite the damage. Oh! Nasty body kick by Fernandes. the output has slowed down from Fernandes. Big leg kick by Fernandes. Nice short combo by Kutateladze. Jab by Fernandes. Two minutes left. Kutateladze is bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Right hook connects for Kutateladze. Final minute. Oh! Nasty leg kick from Fernandes collapses Kutateladze! More leg kicks from Fernandes on a downed Kutateladze. Kutateladze gets back up. Fernandes scores a takedown. The bell rings!

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fernandes. Overall 30-27, Fernandes.

Result: Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos
Records: Fernandes (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Kutateladze (13-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Darryl Ransom, David Lethaby, Clemens Werner 30-27.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Caolan Loughran’s split decision win over Nathan Fletcher at UFC Fight Night 255.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag]’s split decision win over [autotag]Nathan Fletcher[/autotag] at UFC Fight Night 255 at The O2 in London. (Photos by Peter van den Berg, USA Today Sports; MMA Junkie; UFC)

UFC 304 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Leon Edwards, Tom Aspinall lead with $42,000

Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall fetched maximum $42,000 payouts under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance for entering UFC 304 with belts.

MANCHESTER, England – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 304 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $307,500.

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 304 took place at Co-op Live. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 304 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]King Green[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Gregory Rodrigues[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Christian Leroy Duncan[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Bruna Brasil[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Molly McCann[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Preston Parsons[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Modestas Bukauskas[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Marcin Prachnio[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sam Patterson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kiefer Crosbie[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mick Parkin[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Lukasz Brzeski[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Shauna Bannon[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’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 $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

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 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $4,575,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $27,312,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Jake Hadley def. Caolan Loughran at UFC 304: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Jake Hadley’s unanimous decision win over Caolan Loughran at UFC 304.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag] at UFC 304 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. (Photos by Ben Roberts, Getty Images; UFC; MMA Junkie)

Caolan Loughran expects plenty of fan support at UFC Manchester

Loughran, an Irish teammate of former UFC title challenger Darren Till in nearby Liverpool, thinks he’ll feel the love Saturday.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag] met the media Wednesday ahead of his fight at UFC 304.

Loughran (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) takes on Jake Hadley (10-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in a bantamweight fight on the ESPN2 preliminary card at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. At media day in Manchester, Loughran took questions from media members before his fight.

Loughran, an Irish teammate of former UFC title challenger Darren Till in nearby Liverpool, was scheduled to fight Ramon Taveras on Saturday, but gets Hadley as a late replacement. He’ll be trying to make it two straight after he suffered his first pro loss this past September.

He said because of Manchester’s proximity to Dublin, he expects a big Irish fanbase – plus his fanbase from training in Liverpool most of the year.

“I trained in my own gym this morning – just a 30-mile drive up the road (to Manchester) or so,” Loughran said. “I’m not the home fighter, but I don’t expect to be too bad this weekend. It’s as close as we’re going to get to UFC Dublin as we can get, so I expect a big Irish contingent in the crowd.”

Check out Loughran’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Caolan Loughran thinks Payton Talbott is getting ‘too much hype,’ would absolutely fight him next

Caolan Loughran hasn’t seen enough out of Payton Talbott to warrant all his buzz.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag] hasn’t seen enough out of [autotag]Payton Talbott[/autotag] to warrant all his buzz.

Talbott (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) continued to live up to his hype after a 19-second knockout of Yannis Ghemmouri at UFC 303 in July.

Loughran (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) thinks Talbott is skilled, but was particularly critical of his UFC debut win over Nick Aguirre, in which he was taken down twice and controlled before ultimately winning by third-round submission.

“Payton Talbott is a good fighter – 100 percent a good fighter,” Loughran told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 304 media day. “Fair play to him going well, but Jesus Christ, man: Cool the jets. I watched his debut. Whenever (Conor) McGregor was coming up, people were saying when he fights a grappler, he’ll get smashed. When (Sean) O’Malley was coming up, when he fights a grappler, he’ll get smashed. But it was speculation, really. We hadn’t seen it. I watched his debut, some lad (Aguirre) – I don’t know who the guy was – comes out, takes him down, takes the back, flattens him out, gasses.

“Comes out second round, gassed again, finds himself on his back. I’m like, ‘Jeez, lad, you’re giving your back every time.’ He is a good fighter – 100 percent and fair play to him. He sparked that kid (Yanis) Ghemmouri who pulled out on me Tuesday morning. I would urge anyone who’s watching this to hit pause and watch UFC France – there’s a video of him warming up for that fight – before you blow Payton up over that win. He is good, but he’s getting a wee bit too much hype at the weight class. There’s definitely tougher fights at 135 for less hype.”

Loughran will look to make it two straight when he takes on short-notice replacement Jake Hadley (10-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 304 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) prelims at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

He expects to run through Hadley – who will be moving up to bantamweight for the fight, then he’s open to fighting Talbott next.

“If the UFC want me to do that at the end of this year or the next, absolutely no f*cking problem,” Loughran said. “I’ll fight Payton Talbott next, no problem.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Ramon Taveras withdraws from UFC 304 vs. Caolan Loughran: ‘It sucks that it came to this’

UFC 304 is down a man due to a “serious injury.”

UFC 304 is down a man.

Bantamweight [autotag]Ramon Taveras[/autotag] is off the July 27 event at Co-op Live in Manchester, England due to “serious” injury, he announced Wednesday in a lengthy Instagram post.

Taveras (10-2 MMA, ) was matched with Ireland’s [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC). It’s unclear if the promotion is seeking a replacement.

“It’s unfortunate I have to make a post like this but I’m going to trust in Gods plan and make the smart decision to avoid making my situation worse and prolong my return,” Taveras wrote on Instagram. “Today I had to pull from my fight next Saturday due to a serious injury. I worked so hard this fight camp and it sucks that it came to this.”

While Taveras didn’t reveal the specifics of the injury, he indicated camp was a mental and physical battle that ended in unfortunate fashion.

“I worked my way out of depression and into getting in the best shape I’ve been in,” Taveras wrote. “I stayed disciplined and got myself out of being fat (176) and mentally fu*ked. … But I promise to keep this same mentality during my recovery and become the best version of myself through this recovery process. You guys deserve the best version of me and that’s what I will give you guys. Wouldn’t want this midget getting a dub over me cause of an injury.”

Not typically one to bite his tongue, Loughran voiced displeasure in a social media post minutes after Taveras’ announcement. Loughran indicated he wants to remain on the card.

“Catch deez hands just pulled out,” Loughran wrote on X. “I text him a few days after the bout was signed saying he would. This Games not for everybody. The UFC are the best in the world and they’ll sort it. Been here before will fight anyone. Yeno that.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9iaBeWRgaQ/

With the change, the UFC 304 lineup includes:

  • Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad – for welterweight title
  • Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes – for interim heavyweight title
  • Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett
  • Manel Kape vs. Muhammad Mokaev
  • Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze
  • Daniel Pineda vs. Nathaniel Wood
  • Bruna Brasil vs. Molly McCann
  • Caolan Loughran vs. TBA
  • Lukasz Brzeski vs. Mick Parkin
  • Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues
  • Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons
  • Kiefer Crosbie vs. Sam Patterson
  • Shauna Bannon vs. Alice Ardelean
  • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

UFC on ESPN 54 winner Caolan Loughran: ‘I feel like a d*ckhead’ calling out Raul Rosas Jr., but it makes sense

As a 27-year-old man, Caolan Loughran didn’t feel completely right calling out a teenager after his UFC on ESPN 54 win, but that’s the fight game for you.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – As a 27-year-old man, [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag] doesn’t feel completely right calling out a teenager but, hey, that’s the fight game for you.

Loughran got back in the win column Saturday by earning a clean-sweep unanimous decision against Angel Pacheco at UFC on ESPN 54, with one judge awarding him a 30-26. Afterward, Loughran turned his attention to 19-year-old “d*ck lips” [autotag]Raul Rosas Jr.[/autotag] during his octagon interview.

Backstage at Boardwalk Hall, Loughran (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) expanded on his callout of Rosas (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) with MMA Junkie and other reporters.

I feel like a d*ckhead calling out a 19-year-old lad, but we’re in the same position, same record, let’s do it,” Loughran said.

They don’t exactly have the same record, but they’re close enough.

Loughran, a former Cage Warriors champion, continued his callout by throwing out some possible dates and locations – the expected July event in Manchester, England; the undercard of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler (whenever that might be); and he’s even willing to face the young Mexican at the Sphere on Mexican Independence Day.

“We can do it (at) the pay-per-view in Manchester, we can do it on the undercard of Mac vs. Chandler, or we can go to the Sphere on Mexican Independence Day and have 15 f*cking million Mexicans boo me. I don’t give a f*ck,” Loughran sad. “We’ve got the same record now. I’m in no position to be calling out ‘Sugar’ (Sean O’Malley) or calling out Merab (Dvalishvili). But that’s a realistic fight.”

As for his early thoughts on the matchup?

“I think I’ll punch his f*cking head,” Loughran said. “He’s dangerous but stupid. Let’s go, Rosas. Let’s go.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 54.