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 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.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Punahele Soriano set for UFC Fight Night in June

After picking up the biggest win of his career, Anthony Hernandez has welcomed a rescheduled bout with another undefeated fighter.

After picking up the biggest win of his career, [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] has welcomed a rescheduled bout with another undefeated fighter.

MMA Junkie today learned from two people with knowledge of the booking that “Fluffy” will face middleweight prospect [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag] at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event on June 26 at a location yet to be determined. The people requested anonymity because UFC officials have yet to make a formal announcement.

The two Dana White’s Contender Series veterans were originally scheduled to meet this past May, but Soriano was ultimately forced to withdraw from that event.

Hernandez (7-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) last saw action in February, scoring a shocking submission win over Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Rodolfo Vieira. The result over a previously unbeaten fighter saw the 27-year-old take home a “Performance of the Night” bonus, as well as MMA Junkie’s “Submission of the Month.”

Meanwhile, Soriano (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has had some frustrating delays in his UFC career since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. However, he has registered a pair of first-round stoppages in his two octagon appearances to date and remains perfect in his professional career.

With the addition to the card, the June 26 event now includes:

  • Maxim Grishin vs. Ovince Saint Preux
  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Punahele Soriano

UFC on ABC 1 post-event facts: Max Holloway’s masterclass shatters all striking records

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ABC 1, which saw Max Holloway beat Calvin Kattar in Abu Dhabi.

The UFC kicked off its 2021 campaign on Saturday with a monumental event. UFC on ABC 1 marked the promotion’s return to network television, with the card unfolding at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

A performance worthy of the grand stage unfolded in the main event. Former UFC champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (22-6 MMA, 18-6 UFC) snapped his two-fight losing with one of the greatest performances in UFC history. “Blessed” delivered record-setting output against [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) to take a unanimous decision in one of the most lopsided bouts to ever occur inside the octagon.

For more on the numbers behind Holloway’s incredible win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for

Video: Punahele Soriano rocks Dusko Todorovic, gets UFC on ABC era started with a bang

Punahele Soriano wasted little time getting the UFC on ABC era started with a bang.

[autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag] will go into the record books as the first fighter to win a UFC bout on ABC, and he did so in emphatic fashion.

In the first UFC meeting of undefeated fighters since Israel Adesanya defeated Paulo Costa at UFC 253, Soriano (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) was a buzzsaw, dropping [autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag] over and over before their UFC on ABC 1 middleweight main-card opener was waved off at the 4:48 mark of the opening round Saturday.

Soriano pushed a fast pace from the outset and didn’t hold back on putting everything into his punches. Todorovic (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) did his best to use low kicks to try to establish range. But Soriano paid them no mind, as he waded in and landed big left hands over and over.

Several times, those lefts led to knockdowns. Todovoric kept getting back up. Late in the round, Todovoric got a breather when his mouthpiece got stuck between the bottom of the fence and the canvas. But it was to no avail, as Soriano once again landed a left for an unofficial fourth knockdown, and that time, referee Herb Dean called off the fight.

[lawrence-related id=580776,580592]

“I expected that exact fight,” Soriano said in his post-fight interview. “He hit me with some good shots and was kicking me no matter how hard I hit him. He was still focused and still trying to hit back.”

UFC on ABC 1 took place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card aired on ABC and ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

You can check out Soriano’s handiwork in the videos below:

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ABC 1 results include:

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UFC on ABC 1 predictions: We’re split down the middle on Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar

Check out our staff members’ predictions for the UFC on ABC 1 main card in Abu Dhabi.

Holloway
vs.
Kattar
Brown
vs.
Condit
Jingliang
vs.
Ponzinibbio
Buckley
vs.
Di Chirico
Soriano
vs.
Todorovic
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 0-0
holloway2021
Holloway
(68%)
condit2021
Condit
(63%)
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
(82%)
buckley2021
Buckley
(85%)
todorovic2021
Todorovic
(57%)
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 0-0
trophy copy 2020 Champion
holloway2021
Holloway
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 0-0
kattar2021
Kattar
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 0-0
holloway2021
Holloway
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
todorovic2021
Todorovic
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 0-0
kattar2021
Kattar
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 0-0
trophy copy 2014 Champion
holloway2021
Holloway
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
todorovic2021
Todorovic
Simon Head
@simonhead
2021: 0-0
trophy copy 2019 Champion*
holloway2021
Holloway
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
todorovic2021
Todorovic
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 0-0
trophy copy 2017 Champion
kattar2021
Kattar
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 0-0
holloway2021
Holloway
mbrown2021
Brown
jingliang2021
Jingliang
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2021: 0-0
kattar2021
Kattar
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
todorovic2021
Todorovic
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 0-0
trophy copy 2018 Champion
holloway2021
Holloway
mbrown2021
Brown
jingliang2021
Jingliang
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 0-0
kattar2021
Kattar
mbrown2021
Brown
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 0-0
kattar2021
Kattar
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 0-0
holloway2021
Holloway
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
todorovic2021
Todorovic
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 0-0
kattar2021
Kattar
condit2021
Condit
ponzinibbio2021
Ponzinibbio
buckley2021
Buckley
soriano2021
Soriano

The UFC is back for its first event of 2021 – and the first of three cards in eight days on “Fight Island.”

UFC on ABC 1 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on ABC and ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

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

In the main event, former featherweight champion [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (22-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC). Holloway is a slight favorite at BetMGM at -165, but for the first headliner of the year, our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts are split down the middle at 7-7.

In the co-feature, longtime UFC welterweights [autotag]Matt Brown[/autotag] (22-17 MMA, 15-11 UFC) and former interim champion [autotag]Carlos Condit[/autotag] (31-13 MMA, 8-9 UFC) meet. Condit is the slight favorite, but he’s got a big 11-3 lead from our pickers.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) is a heavy underdog at welterweight against [autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag] (27-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), and Ponzinibbio has a big 12-2 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is the only unanimous pick from our staff members in his middleweight fight against [autotag]Alessio Di Chirico[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC). He’s nearly a 3-1 favorite at the sports books, and he’s got a 14-0 shutout from our staff members.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is a slight underdog at middleweight against [autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC). Both are undefeated, but it’s Soriano with a 9-5 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Holloway (68 percent), Condit (63 percent), Ponzinibbio (82 percent), Buckley (85 percent) and Todorovic (57 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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[listicle id=579673]

UFC on ABC 1: Make your predictions for Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 event in Abu Dhabi.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 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 on ABC 1 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ABC 1 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on ABC and ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the five main card fights below.

MMA Junkie Radio #3119 with guest Punahele Soriano, the latest news and more

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here and will be live on SportsCastr beginning at noon ET.

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here and will be live on SportsCastr beginning at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

On Episode 3,119, the guys will be joined by guest [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag], a UFC middleweight who is getting ready for a Jan. 16 bout at “Fight Island” against Dusko Todorovic. They’ll also break down the latest MMA news now that we’re into the new year.

Punahele Soriano vs. Eric Spicely joins UFC on ESPN 8 lineup in Columbus

A middleweight matchup between Punahele Soriano and Eric Spicely is the latest addition to UFC on ESPN 8.

A middleweight matchup is the latest addition to UFC on ESPN 8.

[autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag](7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will take on [autotag]Eric Spicely[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 4-5 UFC), two sources with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie on Sunday. The people asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

UFC on ESPN 8 takes place March 28 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The card streams on ESPN.

Soriano picked up his first promotional win at UFC 245, with a highlight-reel knockout over Oskar Piechota in the first round. The Dana White’s Contender Series vet will look to remain undefeated, when he takes on Spicely.

In his second UFC stint, Spicely filled in on short notice, to take on Deron Winn at UFC on ESPN+ 12 last June. He lost the bout via unanimous decision, in a “Fight of the Night” effort. Spicely was scheduled to return at UFC on ESPN 6 vs. Brendan Allen, before an undisclosed injury forced him out of the bout. He will look to pick up his first UFC win since 2017.

With the addition, the UFC on ESPN 8 lineup now includes:

  • Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Cody Garbrandt
  • Yorgan De Castro vs. Greg Hardy
  • Sam Alvey vs. Khalil Rountree
  • Carlos Felipe vs. Jeff Hughes
  • Davey Grant vs. Louis Smolka
  • Mizuki Inoue vs. Tecia Torres
  • Randy Costa vs. Martin Day
  • Punahele Soriano vs. Eric Spicely

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