UFC on ESPN 27 post-event facts: T.J. Dillashaw makes history in octagon return

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 27, which saw T.J. Dillashaw return to the octagon in historic fashion.

The UFC’s busy July continued Saturday with UFC on ESPN 27, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The highly anticipated main event of the card saw former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) make his long-awaited return to the octagon with a split decision win over [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC).

Dillashaw’s victory was one of several debatable decisions on the card that had multiple notable feats. For more on the numbers, check below for 45 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN 27.

UFC on ESPN 27 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Darren Elkins gets biggest bag

UFC on ESPN 27 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 27 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $135,000.

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 on ESPN 27 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 27 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Williams[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Julio Arce[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Elise Reed[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Diana Belbita[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Hannah Goldy[/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 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,593,500
Program-to-date total: $2,593,500

UFC on ESPN 27 results: Maycee Barber snaps skid by split decision, calls out Jessica Eye

Maycee Barber avoided a third straight loss by the narrowest of margins when she edged Miranda Maverick at UFC on ESPN 27.

[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] avoided a third straight loss by the narrowest of margins Saturday when she edged [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 27.

After dropping back-to-back fights, Barber (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) was in a must-win scenario against Maverick (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), despite being just 23. It was tooth and nail over three rounds, but in the end two of the judges thought her work was better and gave her the split decision with a pair of 29-28 scores. A third judge scored the fight for Maverick.

The women’s flyweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN 27 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

Both women came out trying to test the other’s range. Maverick loaded up heavy on head and body kick attempts, while Barber skirted around the outside and looked to move in and out with punching combinations. Maverick’s pressure started to breed success in the latter minutes of the round when she found her range and a home for the better blows.

Maverick tried to pick up right where she left off in the second frame. She closed the distance on Barber with straight punches and kicks, while Barber did her best to counter and step in with bigger shots that were off the target. They tied up in the clinch toward the midway point of the round, and that allowed some momentum for Barber as she landed some good shots from in close. Maverick broke away late, though, and managed to secure a takedown that led her to back control, but she couldn’t finish a rear-naked choke attempt.

With momentum on her side going into the final round, Maverick ensured she stayed sharp. Barber tried to make it ugly by pushing inside to force the clinch and throw big punches, and she managed to land a good one with roughly three minutes left. It set up a Barber takedown, and some control on the mat and against the fence in what was her biggest moments of the fight. Maverick was definitely struggling late, and the judges seemingly found that to be the determining aspect in scoring the fight in her favor.

Despite the controversy, Barber said she thought she won the fight, and targeted former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye with a callout.

“I did actually (think I won the decision), especially with that last round,” Barber said in her post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “Jessica Eye is No. 8 (in the UFC rankings). I would like that fight.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 27 results include:

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UFC on ESPN 27 predictions: Who’s picking T.J. Dillashaw over Cory Sandhagen?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 27 main card, featuring Cory Sandhagen vs. ex-champion T.J. Dillashaw.

Sandhagen
vs.
Dillashaw
Paiva
vs.
Phillips
Elkins
vs.
Minner
Barber
vs.
Maverick
Costa
vs.
Yanez
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 109-63
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
(65%)
phillips2021
Phillips
(84%)
elkins2021
Elkins
(53%)
maverick2021
Maverick
(55%)
yanez2021
Yanez
(71%)
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 111-61
trophy copy 2018 Champion
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
minner2021
Minner
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 108-64
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
minner2021
Minner
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 108-64
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
minner2021
Minner
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 105-67
trophy copy 2020 Champion
dillashaw2021
Dillashaw
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 105-67
trophy copy 2014 Champion
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 104-68
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 104-68
trophy copy 2017 Champion
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
costa2021
Costa
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 103-69
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
barber2021
Barber
yanez2021
Yanez
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 103-69
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
minner2021
Minner
maverick2021
Maverick
costa2021
Costa
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 103-69
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 102-70
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 99-73
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
minner2021
Minner
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
2021: 34-22
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen
phillips2021
Phillips
elkins2021
Elkins
maverick2021
Maverick
yanez2021
Yanez
BetMGM
Betting Favorites
sandhagen2021
Sandhagen -190
phillips2021
Phillips -300
minner2021
Minner -155
maverick2021
Maverick -150
yanez2021
Yanez -250

The UFC stays in its Las Vegas home base this week with a former champion back after two and a half years away.

UFC on ESPN 27 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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

[lawrence-related id=647502,645876,644196]

In the main event, [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on former bantamweight champ [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC). Dillashaw has been out since a January 2019 loss to Henry Cejudo, after which he was suspended for two years for a positive erythropoietin test. Sandhagen is a the betting favorite at -190 at BetMGM, and he’s got a whopping 12-1 lead in the picks from our 13 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is the biggest favorite on the main card at 3-1 in his bantamweight fight against [autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC). He’s also our only unanimous pick at 13-0.

Our most contentious fight is at featherweight between [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] (25-9 MMA, 15-8 UFC) and [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] (26-11 MMA, 2-1 UFC). Minner is a -155 favorite, but it’s Elkins with an 8-5 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is a -150 favorite at the betting window, making her the smallest favorite on the main card. But only one of our pickers is taking [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) to beat her in their women’s flyweight bout.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is a -250 favorite against [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at bantamweight, and he’s got a big 11-2 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Sandhagen (65 percent), Phillips (84 percent), Elkins (53 percent), Maverick (55 percent) and Yanez (71 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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UFC on ESPN 27 pre-event facts: T.J. Dillashaw still holds records after 917-day layoff

The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 27, which features big numbers behind the Cory Sandhagen vs. T.J. Dillashaw main event.

The UFC keeps its busy July schedule rolling Saturday with UFC on ESPN 27, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and airs on ESPN/streams on ESPN+.

One of the most anticipated non-title headliners of the year tops the card. Streaking bantamweight contender [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) is set to welcome former teammate and training partner [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) back to the octagon in what will be the former champion’s first fight since a failed drug test removed him from the sport for more than two years.

The winner of the 135-pound matchup is likely to get a title shot, but it’s not the only fight on the card with high stakes.

For more on the numbers, check below for 45 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 27.

UFC adds Maycee Barber vs. Miranda Maverick to July 24 event

Two of the women’s flyweight division’s most notable up-and-comers will collide.

Two of the UFC women’s flyweight division’s most notable prospects are set to square off this summer.

[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] and [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag] will fight at the promotion’s July 24 event, which doesn’t currently have a location or venue at this time. UFC president Dana White informed broadcast partner ESPN of the booking Tuesday.

Barber (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is coming off two-straight unanimous decision losses. In January 2020, Barber was defeated by former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger Roxanne Modafferi. In that fight, Barber injured her knee, and as a result, was out of action for 13 months. When she returned in February 2021, she was defeated by Mexico’s Alexa Grasso.

Maverick (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is off to a hot start in her UFC career. At UFC 254 in October, Maverick debuted and defeated Liana Jojua by TKO at the end of the first round due to a cut. She returned March 27 at UFC 260 and won a unanimous decision against Gillian Robertson.

With the addition, the July 24 lineup includes:

  • Macy Chiasson vs. Aspen Ladd
  • Maycee Barber vs. Miranda Maverick

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UFC 258 medical suspensions: Kamaru Usman among eight facing potential six-month layoff

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is among eight fighters who could be facing lengthy time off after UFC 258.

UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] could be sidelined for up to six months after his most recent title defense.

Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC), who retained his title after stopping [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the third round of the UFC 258 main event, will need doctor clearance for his right foot or he could be looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Joining Usman with potential 180-day terms is [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag], who defeated [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] via unanimous decision. Grasso (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) must have an X-ray and MRI on her right knee. Barber (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who returned after more than a year away, could be facing time on the shelf again, requiring an MRI on her right shoulder.

MMA Junkie on Tuesday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC 258 medical suspensions includes:

  • Kamaru Usman: Needs X-ray of right foot, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Gilbert Burns: Needs right eyebrow and left orbital lacerations cleared by doctor, otherwise suspended 45 days; minimum suspension is 30 days.
  • Maycee Barber: Needs MRI of right shoulder, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Alexa Grasso: Needs X-ray and MRI of right knee, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Julian Marquez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Rodolfo Vieira[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of right hand, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 21 days with 14 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Dhiego Lima[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of nose, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Polyana Viana[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mallory Martin[/autotag]: Needs MRI of right elbow, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of nose, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Gabriel Green[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to left eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Phil Rowe[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of left knee, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.

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UFC 258 post-event facts: Kamaru Usman’s resume hits legendary status

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 258, which saw Kamaru Usman defend his welterweight title vs. in the main event.

The UFC hosted its second pay-per-view of the year on Saturday with UFC 258, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with 10 fighters on a heavily-altered card.

In the main event, [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) showed there’s no going back in the conversation about him being an all-time great in the welterweight division when he battered Gilbert Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) for a third-round TKO to secure his third title defense at 170 pounds.

Usman’s name is all over the record books with the win, and for more on the numbers, check below for 40 post-event facts to come out of UFC 258.

5 biggest takeaways from UFC 258: Sanity for the Kamaru Usman vs. Georges St-Pierre GOAT debate

Thoughts and analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of UFC 258, which took place Saturday in Las Vegas.

What mattered most at UFC 258, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas? Here are a few post-fight musings …

UFC 258: Dana White talks Maycee Barber, Alexa Grasso

UFC 258: Dana White talks Maycee Barber, Alexa Grasso

UFC 258: Dana White talks Maycee Barber, Alexa Grasso