Neil Magny

UFC 248 post-event facts: Numbers support Weili vs. Jedrzejczyk as an all-time title fight

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 248, which saw Israel Adesanya beat Yoel Romero in the main event.

The UFC returned to Las Vegas for the second time this year on Saturday with UFC 248, which took place at T-Mobile Arena with a main card that aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

Two title fights sat atop the card, and neither champion was unseated. [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) kept ahold of his middleweight strap with a unanimous decision win over [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in the main event, while [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) managed retain her strawweight title by edging out [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in a split decision.

For more on the numbers to come out of the title bouts, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 40 post-event facts from UFC 248.

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General

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The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $257,000.

Weili, Jedrzejczyk, [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC 248 fight-night bonuses.

Debuting fighters went 0-1 on the card.

UFC 248 drew an announced attendance of 15,077 for a live gate of $2,742,906.20.

Betting favorites went 8-3 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 5-2 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 11-bout card was 2:16:14.

Main card

Adesanya’s 19-fight winning streak is third longest among active UFC fighters behind Khabib Nurmagomedov (28) and Zhang (21).

Adesanya’s 19-fight winning streak is the longest among active UFC middleweights.

Adesanya’s eight-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight competition is the longest active streak in the division.

Romero’s three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since February 2018.

Romero fell to 1-4 in his past five fights dating back to July 2017.

Romero has suffered all four of his UFC losses by decision.

Weili extended her winning streak to 21 fights. She hasn’t suffered a defeat since her MMA debut in November 2013.

Weili’s 21-fight winning streak is the second longest among all fighters on the UFC roster behind Nurmagomedov (28).

Weili’s five-fight UFC winning streak at strawweight is with Tatiana Suarez and Yan Xiaonan for the longest active streak in the division.

Weili and Jedrzejczyk combined for 351 significant strikes landed, the third most in UFC title-fight history. Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega hold the record with 400 total at UFC 231.

Jedrzejczyk fell to 2-4 in her past six fights dating back to when she lost the UFC strawweight title in November 2017.

Jedrzejczyk is one of two fighters UFC history to land 100 or more significant strikes in eight separate fights. Max Holloway also accomplished the feat.

Jedrzejczyk has suffered three of her four career losses by decision.

Dariush’s (18-4-1 MMA, 12-4-1 UFC) 12 UFC lightweight victories since 2014 are the most in the division.

[autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]’s (22-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) 15 victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Georges St-Pierre (19) and Matt Hughes (16).

Magny’s 15 victories since 2013 in UFC competition are second most among active fighters in the company behind Donald Cerrone (17).

Magny has earned nine of his 15 UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has suffered five of his six career losses by decision.

[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) improved to 8-5 (with one no contest) in UFC welterweight competition.

[autotag]Max Griffin[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 3-6 UFC) fell to 1-4 in his past five UFC appearances dating back to July 2018.

Griffin has suffered seven of his eight career losses by decision.

Preliminary card

O’Malley (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned eight of 11 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has suffered three of his four career losses by decision. That includes both of his UFC defeats.

[autotag]Rodolfo Vieira[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned all seven of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished both of his UFC wins by submission.

[autotag]Saparbek Safarov[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC) was unsuccessful in his middleweight debut.

Safarov has suffered all of his career losses by stoppage.

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag] (30-12 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has earned 28 of his 30 carer victories by stoppage. That includes all six of his UFC wins.

[autotag]Deron Winn[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has suffered consecutive losses after starting his career 6-0.

Winn suffered the first submission loss of his career.

[autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by (split) decision.

[autotag]Guido Cannetti[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

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

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Callout Collection: Who UFC 248 winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Neil Magny and Israel Adesanya both made clear their intentions when they name-dropped their preferred next opponents following victories at UFC 248.

Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So after Saturday’s UFC 248 event in Las Vegas, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.

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First up, let’s take a look at the lone main card callout …

Wants to fight: [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag]

The callout: “I’m wasting no time. Michael Chiesa is the guy I’m looking to fight next, and I’m looking to do it as soon as possible. No need to wait until the summertime – I know you’re healthy. Let’s get out here and do it, give these fans the show they want, and let me bring the work.”

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The reality: Perhaps the unlikeliest candidate to appear in “Callout Collection,” [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] has personified the “fight whoever’s next” mentality throughout his UFC career. But, after being forced onto the sidelines in recent months, he knows he needs a solid win over a big name to get back to contendership at 170 pounds once again, and Chiesa might be the ideal man for the job. However, while the fight certainly makes sense for Magny, the upside isn’t quite as clear for Chiesa, who is on a tear following his jump from lightweight to welterweight. Following back-to-back wins over ex-interim champ Carlos Condit, “TUF 1” winner Diego Sanchez and former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, “Maverick” has called for a fight with Colby Covington. With all due respect to Magny, that’s a fight that gives Chiesa a lot more to gain.

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Next up: The middleweight champion clarifies his next challenge

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UFC 248 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total passes $32 million

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 248 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $257,000.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 248 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $257,000.

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 248 took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

The full UFC 248 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Max Griffin[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Mark Madsen[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Rodolfo Vieira[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Saparbek Safarov[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Deron Winn[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Guido Cannetti[/autotag]: $5,000

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:

“UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero” – $257,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 27: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo” – $119,500
“UFC on ESPN+ 26: Felder vs. Hooker” – $130,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 25: Anderson vs. Blachowicz 2” – $186,500
“UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes” – $243,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 24: Blaydes vs. Dos Santos” – $169,000
“UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” – $165,000

Year-to-date total: $1,083,500
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: $32,088,000

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 248 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $265,000.

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC 248 with Aerosmith, Lupe Fiasco

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC 248 event.

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 248 went with as their backing tracks in Las Vegas.

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UFC 248 results: Neil Magny shines after 16-month layoff, decisions Li Jingliang

Neil Magny showed no signs of returning from a career-long layoff at UFC 248 and picked up a big win.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] returned from a career-long 476-day layoff at UFC 248 on Saturday and picked up a big win against [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag].

After dealing with a situation with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in which he was ultimately exonerated, Magny (22-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC), who has been one of the most active fighters on the roster in recent years, was able to get dominate Jingliang (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) for a clean-sweep unanimous decision.

“This victory feels so great,” Magny said in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “The last 16 months, I was in a real tough spot. So to be back, it feels great.”

Jingliang came out of the gate very aggressive, trying to put a lot of pressure on a potentially rusty Magny. He even tried to get inside for a takedown, but Magny stayed upright and was able to switch the position and be first to get the fight to the ground. The first frame largely consisted of grappling against the fence, but there were moments of striking in space, although neither man could do momentum-altering damage.

The early stages of the second round looked quite similar to most of the first. The fighters clinched up near the fence after just a few seconds, trading positions and battling for the takedown. Jingliang clinged to Magny’s legs for a good amount of time, but he couldn’t do much with it. Magny, meanwhile, achieved the biggest moment of the fight late in the frame when he teed off on Jingliang with punches and knees before securing a takedown and climbing into mount just as time expired.

In need of a crucial momentum shift, Jingliang came out somewhat desperate in the final round. Magny was ready for it, though, and survived the flurry before continuing to cruise.

It was the first time since May 2018 that Magny had his hand raised and gave him his 15th UFC win in the welterweight division, which trails only Georges St-Pierre (19) and Matt Hughes (16) for the most all time.

The welterweight bout was part of the UFC 248 main card at T-Mobile Arena. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 248 results include:

Israel Adesanya ($500k), Yoel Romero ($350k) lead UFC 248 disclosed salaries

Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will take home a cool half-million, win or lose, at UFC 248. But what about Zhang Weili?

Middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] will take home a cool half-million, win or lose, at UFC 248.

Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is scheduled to make $500,000 with no potential win bonus for his main event title fight against challenger [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Romero is set to make $350,000 with no win bonus.

In the co-main event, former women’s strawweight champion and now title challenger [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) actually will make more than defending champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) with a win. Jedrzejczyk is set to make $106,000 to show and another $106,000 to win. Weili is scheduled to make $100,000 to show and another $100,000 to win.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (17-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC) can make $70,000 to show and double that to win against [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] (11-1-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who is set to make $40,000/$40,000.

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) can make $76,000/$76,000 in his welterweight fight against [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who is scheduled to make $64,000/$64,000.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC) is scheduled for $64,000/$64,000 at featherweight against [autotag]Max Griffin[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC), who can make $35,000/$35,000.

Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole reported the salaries from the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Now, the usual disclaimer: The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, including the official UFC 248 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay. They also do not include any other “locker room” or special discretionary bonuses the UFC oftentimes pays. They also do not include pay-per-view cuts that some top-level fighters receive.

For example, UFC officials will hand out additional $50,000 bonuses for “Performance of the Night” and/or “Fight of the Night” honors.

In other words, the above figures are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event.

UFC 248 predictions: Who’s picking underdog upsets in the two title fights?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC 248 main card, which features Adesanya vs. Romero and Weili vs. Jedrzejczyk title fights.

	Adesanya vs. Romero	Weili vs. Jedrzejczyk	Dariush vs. Klose	Jingliang vs. Magny	Griffin vs. Oliveira
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2020: 28-16	Adesanya (54%)	Weili (69%)	Dariush (55%)	Jingliang (58%)	Oliveira (77%)
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2020: 38-11 2017 Champion	Romero	Weili	Dariush	Jingliang	Griffin
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2020: 37-12	Adesanya	Jedrzejczyk	Dariush	Jingliang	Oliveira
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2020: 37-12	Adesanya	Weili	Klose	Jingliang	Oliveira
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2020: 37-12	Adesanya	Weili	Dariush	Magny	Griffin
Simon Head @simonhead 2020: 36-13 2019 Champion*	Adesanya	Weili	Dariush	Jingliang	Oliveira
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2020: 36-13	Adesanya	Weili	Klose	Magny	Oliveira
Nolan King @mma_kings 2020: 36-13	Adesanya	Weili	Dariush	Jingliang	Oliveira
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2020: 36-13	Adesanya	Weili	Dariush	Jingliang	Oliveira
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2020: 35-14 2018 Champion	Adesanya	Weili	Klose	Jingliang	Oliveira
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2020: 35-14	Adesanya	Jedrzejczyk	Dariush	Magny	Oliveira
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2020: 34-15	Adesanya	Weili	Dariush	Magny	Griffin
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2020: 34-15 2014 Champion	Adesanya	Jedrzejczyk	Dariush	Magny	Oliveira
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2020: 31-18	Romero	Jedrzejczyk	Dariush	Jingliang	Oliveira
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2020: 23-26	Romero	Jedrzejczyk	Klose	Magny	Oliveira

The UFC is back in Las Vegas this week, and a pair of title fights are at the top of the bill.

UFC 248 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

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

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In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he meets challenger [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC). Adesanya is as much as a 3-1 favorite from the oddsmakers, and he’s got a big lead in the picks from our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers – only three of which are taking Romero in an upset.

The co-main event is another title fight. Women’s strawweight champ [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) puts her belt up for the first time when she takes on former champ [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC). Zhang is a mild favorite, but she’s got a fairly significant 9-5 lead in the picks.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (17-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] (11-1-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) at lightweight. Dariush is a -170 favorite, and he’s got a big 10-4 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC) also is about a -170 favorite in his welterweight bout against [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC). That bout is our most contentious – Jingliang has just an 8-6 picks edge.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC) is just a slight favorite over [autotag]Max Griffin[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC), but he’s got a big 11-3 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Adesanya (54 percent), Weili (69 percent), Dariush (55 percent), Jingliang (58 percent) and Oliveira (77 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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16 months later, Neil Magny happy to be back and grateful USADA case sparked change

“It sucked being the guinea pig, but it’s real cool to see the suffering and pain that I went through paid off for all of the other fighters, as well.”

LAS VEGAS – The last 16 months have been frustrating for [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]. The American welterweight mainstay – previously renowned as one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster – has been out of action for more than a year following a failed U.S. Anti-Doping Agency drug test.

Magny (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) has been working with USADA to clear his name in the case that prompted changes to the UFC’s anti-doping program that eventually went on to help keep Nate Diaz on the UFC 244 card for his “BMF” title fight with Jorge Masvidal in November 2019.

Now with his case closed and his name cleared of any wrongdoing, Magny is ready to return against Chinese contender [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] at UFC 248, which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

Chatting to MMA Junkie at media day ahead of his return, the 32-year-old Magny said he couldn’t be more excited ahead of the fight. He’s so excited, in fact, that he even admitted to having no qualms about his weight cut.

“It’s dope,” he said. “Having a 16-month layoff, you literally get to the point where you’re like, ‘Man, I can’t wait to experience fight week again.’ The weight cut, even, was something that I was anticipating and waiting for and excited for, so it’s a pleasure to be here right now.”

Magny said it was a tough process as he jumped through hoops to prove his innocence over a lengthy consultation process with USADA over a positive test for the banned substance Di-Hydroxy-LGD-4033. But although he’d have preferred not to have gone through it all, he said he’s happy that his experience will help make life easier for his fellow fighters who encounter the same issues.

“The entire process was like an up and down rollercoaster for me,” Magny said. “Some days I was feeling good, and things were heading in a positive direction. Then I would receive an email or a phone call that would delay the process or delay the progress of the situation, and I’d just be feeling bummed again. It was just a super-long rollercoaster ride for me.

“The one cool thing that came from all of this was the fact that the UFC, USADA and the commissions were able to adopt a threshold ruling where if a fighter’s below a certain threshold they’re not going to get fined and punished for something that’s outside of their control. So even though it sucked going what I went through, it’s good to see that something positive came out of it anyway.

“Sadly, I wish it didn’t happen to me, but I’m glad that the adjustment was at least made. It was cool to see Nate Diaz get cleared within the matter of a week based on things that I went through the months prior to him. It sucked being the guinea pig, but it’s real cool to see the suffering and pain that I went through paid off for all of the other fighters, as well.”

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With his USADA drama now behind him, Magny is elated just to be back in the mix and excited to face a fighter like Jingliang (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who is heading into their matchup riding a three-fight win streak.

“To be honest, when I saw (the name) ‘Sean Shelby’ (on my phone) I didn’t care what else was behind that email. I didn’t care who it was, where it was, I knew I was getting back to competing,” Magny said. “When I looked further down the email and saw it was Jingliang, that was a fight that excited me. Jingliang’s been doing a lot of great things over the last 16 months that I spent the time off, so that was a great fighter to come back and test myself against. Coming back from being on the shelf and fighting a guy like that, I’m more than excited.”

As for the matchup itself, Magny said he’ll have to deal with the Chinese welterweight’s improving striking and constant forward pressure to secure the victory, and was happy to line up against someone who will chase a finish rather than a gritty win on the scorecards.

“He’s a great fighter. He has real unorthodox boxing. He has pretty crisp boxing, which really surprised me,” Magny said. “To see a Chinese fighter with American-trained boxing, it looked like, so that part really surprised me. He’s an aggressive fighter, as well, so that part’s definitely going to excite me. But overall I’m just happy to be matched against a guy who’s going to go out there and try to put on an exciting fight. He’s not looking to just lay on me and get a decision win; he’s looking to go out there and put on a performance, and I’m looking to do the same.”

UFC 248: Neil Magny media day interview

UFC welterweight Neil Magny spoke to MMA Junkie’s Nolan King ahead of Saturday’s UFC 248 event in Las Vegas.

UFC 248 pre-event facts: What do Yoel Romero, Tank Abbott have in common?

The best facts and figures about UFC 248, which features a Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero middleweight title main event.

The UFC returns to Las Vegas on Saturday with another major event in UFC 248, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC-Fight Pass.

A championship doubleheader sits atop the card. In the main event, undefeated titleholder [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) seeks the first defense of his belt when he takes on [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC). The co-headliner, meanwhile, will see [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) attempt to defend her belt for the first time, as well, when she takes on former champ [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC).

For more on the numbers bheind the two title fights, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 55 pre-event facts about UFC 248.

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Main event

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Adesanya is one of 13 fighters in UFC history to win an undisputed title with an undefeated record.

Adesanya is one of 11 undisputed middleweight champions in UFC history.

Adesanya’s 18-fight winning streak is third longest among active UFC fighters behind Khabib Nurmagomedov (28) and Zhang (20).

Adesanya’s 18-fight winning streak is the longest among active UFC middleweights.

Adesanya’s seven-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is the longest active streak in the division.

Adesanya’s 10 knockdowns landed in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (13) and Nate Marquardt (12).

Adesanya’s four knockdowns landed against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 are the single-fight record for a UFC title bout.

Adesanya defends 66.7 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the third best rate in divisional history behind Chael Sonnen (67.7 percent) and Marvin Vettori (67 percent).

Adesanya defends 85.7 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the second best rate in divisional history behind Krzysztof Jotko (86 percent).

Adesanya’s six fight-night bonuses for UFC middleweight bouts are tied for third most in company history behind Anderson Silva (11) and Robert Whittaker (seven).

Romero is the second fighter in history to fight for a title following consecutive non-title UFC losses. Tank Abbott also accomplished the feat.

Romero enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He’s 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to July 2017.

Romero’s 10 knockdowns landed in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Silva (13) and Marquardt (12).

Romero’s seven knockout victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Silva (eight) and Thiago Santos (eight).

Romero’s six third-round stoppage victories in UFC competition are tied with Max Holloway and Randy Couture for most in company history. Romero leads the category in knockouts.

Romero is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn back-to-back victories by third-round knockout. He’s accomplished the feat twice in his career.

Romero is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn two knockout victories stemming from a flying knee. Diego Sanchez also accomplished the feat.

Romero is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout victory stemming from elbow strikes to the body. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 35.

Romero and Robert Whittaker combined for 239 significant strikes landed, the single-fight record for a five-fight UFC middleweight fight.

Co-main event

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Weili is the only UFC champion born in China.

Weili enters the event on a 20-fight winning streak. She hasn’t suffered a defeat since her MMA debut in November 2013.

Weili’s 20-fight winning streak is the longest among female fighters on the UFC roster.

Weili’s 20-fight winning streak is the second longest among all fighters on the UFC roster behind Khabib Nurmagomedov (28).

Weili’s four-fight UFC winning streak in strawweight competition is the third longest active streak in the division behind Tatiana Suarez (five) and Yan Xiaonan (five).

Weili’s 42-second victory at UFC on ESPN+ 15 is the second fastest finish in UFC strawweight history behind Poliana Botelho’s 33-second win at UFC 236.

Jedrzejczyk became the first Polish-born champion in UFC history when she defeated Carla Esparza at UFC 185.

Jedrzejczyk is one of 13 fighters in UFC history to win a belt with an undefeated record.

Jedrzejczyk’s six victories in UFC title fights are tied with Ronda Rousey for second most of any female in company history behind Amanda Nunes (seven).

Jedrzejczyk’s 10 victories in UFC competition are third most of any female in company history behind Nunes (12) and Jessica Andrade (11).

Jedrzejczyk competes in her 14th UFC bout, the second most appearances by any female in company history behind Jessica Andrade (15).

Jedrzejczyk’s 10 victories in UFC strawweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Jedrzejczyk has earned 11 of her 16 career victories by decision. That includes seven of her 10 UFC wins.

Jedrzejczyk has out-landed her opponents 1,441-628 in significant strikes over her past 11 UFC appearances.

Jedrzejczyk is one of two fighters UFC history to land 100 or more significant strikes in seven separate fights. Holloway also accomplished the feat.

Jedrzejczyk’s 225 significant strikes landed against Andrade at UFC 211 are second most for a UFC title-fight record. Holloway holds the record with 290 landed at UFC 231.

Jedrzejczyk’s 76 leg kicks landed against Michelle Waterson at UFC on ESPN+ 19 are the single-fight UFC record.

Remaining main card

[autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] (11-1-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has earned all five of his UFC victories by decision.

Klose’s average fight time of 15:00 in UFC lightweight competition is the longest among active fighters in the weight class.

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Nov. 17, 2018. The 476-day layoff is the longest of his nearly 10-year career.

Magny becomes the seventh fighter to make 21 or more UFC welterweight appearances.

Magny’s 14 victories since 2013 in UFC competition are second most among active fighters in the company behind Donald Cerrone (17).

Magny is the only fighter in modern UFC history to make five or more octagon appearances in consecutive years. He went 4-1 in 2015 after going 5-0 in 2014.

Magny’s five UFC victories in 2014 tied Roger Huerta’s record for most octagon wins in a calendar year. Huerta accomplished the feat in 2007.

Magny’s 100 significant ground strikes landed against Hector Lombard at UFC Fight Night 85 stand as the single-fight UFC record.

Magny’s 142 total strikes landed in the second round of his victory against Lombard stand as the third most in a single UFC round.

[autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC) is 7-1 in his past eight UFC appearances dating back to July 2016.

Jingliang has earned all six of his UFC stoppage victories by knockout.

Jingliang’s six knockout victories since 2014 in UFC welterweight competition are tied with Vicente Luque for most in the division.

[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag]’s (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2018.

Oliveira is 7-5 (with one no contest) in UFC welterweight competition.

Oliveira vs. Yancy Medeiros at UFC 218 is the only fight in UFC history to feature two knockdowns for each fighter.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since March 3, 2018. The 735-day layoff is the longest of his more than five-year career.

O’Malley has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Saparbek Safarov[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) drops to the UFC middleweight division after spending his previous promotional appearances at light heavyweight.

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag] (29-12 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has earned 27 of his 29 career victories by stoppage. That includes all five of his UFC wins.

Meerschaert is one of 17 fighters in UFC history to earn a submission victory by anaconda choke. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 102.

[autotag]Deron Winn[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) landed 169 significant strikes at UFC on ESPN+ 12, the single-fight record for a UFC middleweight bout.

[autotag]Emily Whitmire[/autotag]’s (4-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) 61-second victory at UFC on ESPN 1 is the fastest submission in UFC strawweight history.

[autotag]Polyana Viana[/autotag]’s (10-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She hasn’t earned a victory since February 2018.

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