UFC on ESPN 23 post-event facts: Jiri Prochazka’s KO of Dominick Reyes was historic

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 23, which saw Jiri Prochazka brutally knock out Dominick Reyes in Las Vegas.

The UFC’s busy May schedule kicked off on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card aired on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

The main event of the night featured a knockout for the ages. [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (28-3-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) landed just the third spinning back elbow knockout in UFC history when he flattened [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the second round of their light heavyweight contender matchup, seemingly securing a title shot for himself.

For more on the numbers to come out of the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 40 post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 23.

UFC on ESPN 23 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Cub Swanson nets highest total

UFC on ESPN 23 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 23 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $146,500.

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 on ESPN 23 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 23 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag]: $6,000
vs. [autotag]Dustin Jacoby[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Krzysztof Jotko[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili [/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Poliana Botelho[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Luana Pinheiro[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]TJ Brown[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kai Kamaka[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Loma Lookboonmee[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Sam Hughes[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Andreas Michailidis[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]KB Bhullar[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Felipe Colares[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Luke Sanders[/autotag]: $6,000

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 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $833,500
Program-to-date total: $833,500

UFC on ESPN 23 results: Merab Dvalishvili outworks Cody Stamann, calls out Dominick Cruz

With his sixth straight win, Merab Dvalishvili said he’s ready to start fighting big names.

With his sixth straight win, [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] said he’s ready to start fighting big names.

Dvalishvili (13-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) outworked [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) for a unanimous decision. Dvalishvili took a 30-27 score and a pair of 29-28s from the judges.

The bantamweight bout opened up the UFC on ESPN 23 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

Stamann came out aggressive early, but Dvalishvili took him to the canvas. He couldn’t keep him there long, though, and back on the feet, Stamann tried to take the fight down. The fight stayed on the feet after that and went back and forth. But Dvalishvili, as well-versed as he is at going to the mat, looked crisp in his standup.

In the second, Stamann got the fight back to the canvas, but it wasn’t long before Dvalishvili worked back to his feet thanks to some strong punches from his back. Eventually, Dvalishvili tried to jump guard for a guillotine choke, and when it wasn’t there, he had to work from his back. He got back up, only to land a solid slam, then another throw moments later.

In the final round, Dvalishvili continued to look good in the standup game. But Stamann was out firing, as well. He pressed the action for much of the frame, perhaps concerned he might need a finish to leave with a win. But Dvalishvili stayed strong in their exchanges. When Dvalishvili tried to take the fight down once more, Stamann reversed position and did solid work up top. But it was too little, too late.

“I want to be back as soon as possible,” Dvalishvili said in his post-fight interview. “Top 10, top five – but to be honest, I deserve a big name. I have six straight wins. I deserve Dominick Cruz or a former champion. I’m ready to fight, and I’m hungry.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 23 results include:

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UFC on ESPN 23 predictions: It’s a close one between Dominick Reyes, Jiri Prochazka

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 23 main card, featuring Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka.

Reyes
vs.
Prochazka
Chikadze
vs.
Swanson
Cutelaba
vs.
Jacoby
Jotko
vs.
Strickland
Dvalishvili
vs.
Stamann
Botelho
vs.
Carolina
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 50-34
prochazka2021
Prochazka
(69%)
chikadze2021
Chikadze
(59%)
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
(59%)
strickland2021
Strickland
(69%)
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
(70%)
botelho2021
Botelho
(81%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 57-31
prochazka2021
Prochazka
chikadze2021
Chikadze
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 56-32
trophy copy 2018 Champion
prochazka2021
Prochazka
chikadze2021
Chikadze
jacoby2021
Jacoby
jotko2021
Jotko
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 54-34
prochazka2021
Prochazka
chikadze2021
Chikadze
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 54-34
reyes2021
Reyes
chikadze2021
Chikadze
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
jotko2021
Jotko
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 54-34
reyes2021
Reyes
swanson2021
Swanson
jacoby2021
Jacoby
strickland2021
Strickland
stamann2021
Stamann
botelho2021
Botelho
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 53-35
reyes2021
Reyes
chikadze2021
Chikadze
jacoby2021
Jacoby
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 53-35
trophy copy 2017 Champion
prochazka2021
Prochazka
swanson2021
Swanson
jacoby2021
Jacoby
strickland2021
Strickland
stamann2021
Stamann
botelho2021
Botelho
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 52-36
trophy copy 2020 Champion
reyes2021
Reyes
swanson2021
Swanson
jacoby2021
Jacoby
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 51-37
reyes2021
Reyes
chikadze2021
Chikadze
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 49-39
trophy copy 2014 Champion
prochazka2021
Prochazka
chikadze2021
Chikadze
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 49-39
reyes2021
Reyes
swanson2021
Swanson
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba
jotko2021
Jotko
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 48-40
reyes2021
Reyes
chikadze2021
Chikadze
jacoby2021
Jacoby
strickland2021
Strickland
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili
botelho2021
Botelho
BetMGM
Betting Favorites
prochazka2021
Prochazka -135
chikadze2021
Chikadze -175
cutelaba2021
Cutelaba -120
strickland2021
Strickland -275
dvalishvili2021
Dvalishvili -250
botelho2021
Botelho -275

After an event in Florida, the UFC is back on its home turf with a former light heavyweight title challenger at the top of the bill.

UFC on ESPN 23 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

[lawrence-related id=607261,607267,607157]

In the main event, former 205-pound title challenger [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (27-3-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC). Prochazka is a slight favorite at -135 at BetMGM, but it’s Reyes with a slight 7-5 lead in the picks from our 12 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) is a -175 favorite against [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] (27-11 MMA, 12-7 UFC) at featherweight. Chikadze doubled up on Swanson in our picks at 8-4.

Our most contentious fight from a picking standpoint is at light heavyweight between [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) and [autotag]Dustin Jacoby[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC). Cutelaba is a mild favorite at -120, and the picks are dead even at 6-6.

[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and [autotag]Krzysztof Jotko[/autotag] (22-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) have similar records going into their middleweight bout. But Strickland is a big favorite at -275, and he’s got a 9-3 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is a big favorite, too, at -250 in his bantamweight bout against [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] (19-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC), and only two pickers are taking Stamann in an upset.

And to open the main card, we have our only unanimous pick at 12-0. [autotag]Poliana Botelho[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) pitched a picks shutout in her women’s flyweight bout against [autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Prochazka (69 percent), Chikadze (59 percent), Cutelaba (59 percent), Strickland (69 percent), Dvalishvili (70 percent) and Botelho (81 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann booked again, this time for UFC Fight Night on May 1

Prior to this booking, the matchup was scheduled twice – and canceled twice.

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] and [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] have been paired up yet again.

Though two previous fights fell through, the UFC has booked Dvalishivli (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Stamann (19-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) for the UFC Fight Night event on May 1.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup informed MMA Junkie of the booking on Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Originally scheduled to fight at UFC on ESPN 19 on Dec. 5, Stamann withdrew from that fight for undisclosed reasons. The matchup was rebooked for UFC Fight Night 184 on Feb. 6. This time, it was Dvalishvili who withdrew, after testing positive for COVID-19.

Entering the fight, Dvalishvili rides a five-fight winning streak into the May 1 event. Notable wins include John Dodson and Casey Kenney. As for Stamann, he’s 2-1-1 in his most recent four fights but is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jimmie Rivera in July.

With the addition, the May 1 lineup now includes:

  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Dominick Reyes
  • TJ Brown vs. Kai Kamaka III
  • Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson
  • Poliana Botelho vs. Ji Yeon Kim
  • K.B. Bhullar vs. Andreas Michailidis
  • Damon Jackson vs. TJ Laramie
  • Sam Hughes vs. Loma Lookboonmee
  • Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Augusto Sakai
  • Krzysztof Jotko vs. Sean Strickland
  • Giga Chikadze vs. Cub Swanson
  • Gabriel Benitez vs. Jonathan Pearce
  • Felipe Colares vs. Journey Newson
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann

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UFC Fight Night 184 loses Cody Stamann vs. Askar Askar hours before event

Tonight’s UFC Fight Night 184 main card has lost a fight.

[autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Askar Askar[/autotag] has been removed from UFC Fight Night 184.

The UFC has announced the featherweight fight, which was scheduled for tonight’s main card, has been canceled after Askar (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was forced to withdraw after he was not medically cleared to compete.

The cancellation marks the third opponent who withdrew from a UFC Fight Night 184 booking against Stamann (19-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC). Merab Dvalishvili was originally scheduled for the fight but withdrew after catching COVID-19; Stamann was later paired up with Andre Ewell.

Like Dvalishvili, Ewell also withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test. On less than one week’s notice, Askar stepped in to replace Ewell in what would’ve been his promotional debut.

With the removal the UFC Fight Night 184 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Frankie Edgar vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Clay Guida vs. Michael Johnson
  • Manel Kape vs. Alexandre Pantoja
  • Beneil Dariush vs. Diego Ferreira

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Danilo Marques vs. Mike Rodriguez
  • Justin Jaynes vs. Devonte Smith
  • Joselyne Edwards vs. Karol Rosa
  • Molly McCann vs. Lara Procopio
  • Seungwoo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
  • Martin Day vs. Timur Valiev
  • Ode Osbourne vs. Jerome Rivera

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The MMA Road Show with John Morgan, No. 306: Clay Guida, Michael Johnson, Cody Stamann, Beneil Dariush

Episode No. 306 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast, ahead of UFC Fight Night 184, is now available for streaming and download.

Episode No. 306 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.

MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan hosts the show while traveling the world to cover the sport.

Morgan and Cold Coffee are together in Las Vegas following the first in-person media day in the U.S. in 11 months. The two sit down to preview the card and talk the latest headlines in the sport while sharing interviews with [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag], [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] and [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag].

Check it out on iTunes or at themmaroadshow.com. You can also subscribe via RSS.

UFC Fight Night 184: Cody Stamann media day interview

UFC Fight Night 184: Cody Stamann media day interview

UFC Fight Night 184: Cody Stamann media day interview

Askar Askar replaces Andre Ewell, fights Cody Stamann at UFC Fight Night 184

UFC newcomer Askar Askar (not to be confused with UFC flyweight Askar Askarov) will make his debut Saturday.

[autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] has a new opponent for UFC Fight Night 184.

Originally scheduled to fight [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag] on Saturday’s card, Stamann (17-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will now fight promotional newcomer [autotag]Askar Askar[/autotag] instead in a featherweight bout. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Ewell was pulled from the fight following a positive COVID-19 test, according to his management, Dodge Sports. Ewell has tested negative twice since the positive test but was removed from the matchup for precautionary reasons. He is asymptomatic and quarantining in Las Vegas.

MMA DNA was the first to report Ewell’s withdrawal.

Two people with knowledge of the new matchup confirmed the new booking to MMA Junkie on Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Fighter Path was first to report Askar’s rol.

Stamann, 31, enters the fight coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jimmie Rivera in July. Prior to being paired up with Ewell, Stamann was supposed to face Merab Dvalishvili. The matchup was canceled after Dvalishvili was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Askar (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is an alumnus of numerous notable regional promotions including LFA, Island Fights, Titan FC, and Victory FC. In 11 pro wins, Askar has six finishes including four knockouts/TKOs and two submissions. Born in Palestine, Askar grew up in Illinois, where he continues to reside and train to this day.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 184 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Frankie Edgar vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Macy Chiasson vs. Marion Reneau
  • Manel Kape vs. Alexandre Pantoja
  • Askar Askar vs. Cody Stamann
  • Beneil Dariush vs. Diego Ferreira

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Clay Guida vs. Michael Johnson
  • Danilo Marques vs. Mike Rodriguez
  • Martin Day vs. Timur Valiev
  • Justin Jaynes vs. Devonte Smith
  • Joselyne Edwards vs. Karol Rosa
  • Molly McCann vs. Lara Procopio
  • Seungwoo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
  • Denys Bondar vs. Ode Osbourne

UFC Fight Night 184: Make your predictions for Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 184 event in Las Vegas.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 184 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC Fight Night 184 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC Fight Night 184 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the six main card fights below.