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Check out a full recap of 2023’s most significant footnotes and milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.
Now that the year has come to a close, and with a major assist from UFC research analyst and live statistics producers Michael Carroll, here are some of 2023’s most significant milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.
A dozen UFC Austin competitors including Arman Tsarukyan, Beneil Dariush, and Bobby Green have been given lengthy suspensions by Texas.
UFC on ESPN 52 took place Saturday at Moody Center in Austin, Texas and featured a dozen fights.
Of the 24 competitors on the card, 12 fighters were suspended 180 days due to injuries sustained in their bouts, according to documentation from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the commissioning body that oversaw the event.
Among those who received the lengthiest suspensions are both sides of the main event, Arman Tsarukyan and Beneil Dariush, as well as co-main eventer Bobby Green.
The TDLR does not reveal injury specifics, just the duration of the suspensions. Fighters are permitted to return to competition prior to the conclusion of their suspension durations should they be cleared by a doctor beforehand.
Check out the 24 medical suspension durations below:
Check out all the facts from UFC on ESPN 52, which saw a record two slam KOs and Clay Guida tying the UFC record for most losses.
The UFC’s third-to-last event of 2023 went down as one of the best of the year. UFC on ESPN 52 delivered with nine stoppages in 12 fights.
[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) capped off the night with the quickest finish of the bunch. He dropped and stopped [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) just 64 seconds into their high-stakes lightweight headliner, solidifying himself as a top contender.
For more on the numbers behind the card, which featured a number of historic feats, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 52.
UFC on ESPN 52 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.
AUSTIN, Texas – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 52 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $225,000.
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 52 took place at Moody Center. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
The full UFC on ESPN 52 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
* * * *
[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]: $16,000
[autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Joaquim Silva[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Miesha Tate[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Julia Avila[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Cody Brundage[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Zach Reese[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Joe Solecki[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Rodolfo Bellato[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Jared Gooden[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Veronica Hardy[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jamey-Lyn Horth[/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 $4,520; 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 $52,000 while title challengers get $52,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-52 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2023 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Year-to-date total: $7,689,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $22,208,000
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.
Deiveson Figueiredo is now a player in a new division after making a successful bantamweight debut against Rob Font at UFC Austin.
AUSTIN, Texas – [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] is now a player in a new division after making a successful bantamweight debut against Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 52.
Former multi-time flyweight champion Figueiredo (22-3-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC) made his anticipated 135-pound debut on Saturday at Moody Center, and he showed much of his skillset translates up a weight class when he beat Font (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) by unanimous decision with 30-27, 30-27 and 30-27 scores.
After a historic and unprecedented four-fight series with Brandon Moreno for the title, Figueiredo fought an opponent other than Moreno for the first time since November 2020. The fresh matchup allowed him to offer a reminder of his talent, because Figueiredo used striking and grappling to shut Font down for the majority of three rounds.
Bantamweights you have a NEW contender 👀@Daico_Deiveson gets the UD over Rob Font at #UFCAustin pic.twitter.com/nMsKAts21U
— UFC (@ufc) December 3, 2023
Figueiredo’s difficulty finding the striking range early was evident. Font was able to land from his range, forcing the Brazilian into repeated takedown attempts, none of which resulted in prolonged competition. Late in the round, however, Figueiredo found hind his comfort on the feet, and landed some solid hooks on Font to make it a very close round.
Figueiredo continued his momentum in the second round. He found more confidence in his striking range and started to land various shots. He mixed in takedown attempts, too, leaving Font to moments of serious caution with his offensive output. That only boosted the confidence of Figueiredo, who closed the frame in full control of the action.
Font opened the final round with a more desperate demeanour and managed to shut down an early takedown attempt. He started to work around his jab and move forward, but he walked into a huge left hook from Figueiredo that left him staggered and hurt. Figueiredo tried to pour it on for the finish, but he stayed composed and worked his way into a takedown and top position. Figueiredo tried to force a stoppage with strikes and submission attempts, but Font survived to the final bell.
FIGUEIREDO WOBBLED FONT 😲 #UFCAUSTIN pic.twitter.com/HhoNCxtrCD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 3, 2023
The American had lost three of his past four coming into the matchup with Figueiredo, but got a crucial win and added the name of a second former UFC champion to his resume alongside his May 2021 victory over Cody Garbrandt.
Although Figueiredo was 1-2-1 in his past four fights – all against Moreno – coming into the bout, the 35-year-old showed he still has life and put a fresh coat of paint on his career with the win. His status as a former champion gives him ammunition to call for something big at 135 pounds, and he didn’t hesitate to do so.
“I feel great representing 135,” Figueiredo said through an interpreter during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I did some great things at 125, but I felt great at 135. This show tonight was for you.
The triumphant moment for Figueiredo was one of hardship for Font. The American is now 1-4 in his past five fights dating back to December 2021, albeit the level of competition must be noted with the defeats coming against Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen, Marlon Vera and UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.
Check out the best photos from Deiveson Figueiredo’s unanimous decision win over Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 52 at Moody Center in Austin.
Check out the best photos from [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 52 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. (Photos by Dustin Safranek, USA TODAY Sports)
Check out the UFC on ESPN 25 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs from Austin, Texas.
AUSTIN, Texas – The UFC on ESPN 52 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs took place Friday at Moody Center, the site of Saturday’s fights, and MMA Junkie was in attendance.
Atop the bill, contenders [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (22-5-1 MMA, 16-5-1 UFC) and [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) go toe-to-toe in a five-round bout. The co-main event stays at lightweight as [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (31-14-1 MMA, 12-9-1 UFC) battles short-notice foe [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC).
Also on the card, [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (20-7 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC) welcomes former UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (21-3-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) to the bantamweight division. Other fights include [autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) vs. [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] (18-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC), and [autotag]Julia Avila[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) vs. [autotag]Miesha Tate[/autotag] (20-9 MMA, 6-6 UFC).
Check out the full ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs highlights in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.
While some may have their doubts about Deiveson Figueiredo at bantamweight, UFC Austin opponent Rob Font doesn’t.
AUSTIN, Texas – [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] is confident he’ll handle Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC on ESPN 52, but it won’t be easy.
Figueiredo (21-3-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is a former UFC flyweight champion who will make his promotional bantamweight debut on Saturday’s main card at Moody Center.
Although Figueiredo carries championship aura, Font (20-7 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC) doesn’t consider notoriety any sort of factor in the fight’s preparation or outcome.
“This guy has been fighting (Brandon) Moreno for the last 10 years, it feels like,” Font told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday at a pre-fight news conference. “There’s a lot of film on him. You know he’s going to bring it. You know he’s going to put on an exciting fight. I wouldn’t say there’s a little more pressure. I think it’s if you read into all the hype and all the build-up to the fight, you could put more pressure on yourself. But I don’t see it. I see it he’s coming into my division, and I’m glad to welcome him.”
Whenever a fighter moves up, there’s much ado from the public pertaining to how the athlete fits into a division full of new body shapes, sizes, and frames. As for Figueiredo, who struggled with weight issues at flyweight, Font is a believer. Figueiredo will be a serious test in Font’s estimation.
“I think he’s still going to be a pretty decent-sized bantamweight,” Font said. “(He’s) a little shorter, but I think size-wise and strength-wise, he’s going to be right there. I do have the reach advantage. I feel like in certain positions with the shorter guy, it’s actually advantageous for them. So I don’t want to think, ‘Oh, I’m going to big-brother this guy.’ He’s going to be there. He’s been in wars. He’s been in a lot of five-round fights. He always brings it, so I’m taking him very seriously.”
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Font looks to bounce back from an August loss to Cory Sandhagen in what will be his third appearance of 2023. In April, Font called for Figueiredo after a win over Adrian Yanez. The callout wasn’t rooted in disrespect, however.
“We asked for this fight after my fight in Miami,” Font said. “It didn’t play out and it eventually came back around. You know if you’re stepping in the cage with Deiveson, he’s going to bring it. He’s definitely a fan-favorite. He’s exciting and I think our styles are definitely going to be Fight of the Night styles for sure.”
The difference in the fight will lie in the striking, Font estimated. Being technical will be key. If Font beats a big name, he estimates only bigger and better things are on the horizon.
“One-hundred percent,” Font said. “He has a huge name (and is) a former champion. I feel like this should put me right back into that conversation, if not, another big fight for sure. Obviously, that’s all we take, I feel like. It’s one of those things where regardless of how this fight plays out, I’m going to be fighting another big fight.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.
The best facts about UFC on ESPN 52, which features a loaded lineup with multiple former champions who own key octagon records.
The UFC travels to Austin, Texas for the fifth time in its history Saturday with UFC on ESPN 52, which takes place at Moody Center with a main card that airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
Elite lightweights will meet in the main event of the card, with [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (22-5-1 MMA, 16-5-1 UFC) looking to start a new winning streak against the surging [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) in a five-round bout that will have significant implications on the divisional rankings.
For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 52.
* * * *
Rob Font is very much looking forward to welcoming Deiveson Figueiredo to the UFC bantamweight division.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] is looking forward to throwing down with [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag].
Font (20-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC) meets Figueiredo (21-3-1 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC) in a bantamweight clash Dec. 2 at a UFC Fight Night event, which is expected to take place in Austin, Texas.
Font got his wish in welcoming former UFC flyweight champion Figueiredo to 135 pounds as he adds another marquee name on his resume.
“Another three-round fight, another war, another ex-champion, another big fight, so I’m excited,” Font told MMA Junkie Radio. “We asked for this fight after the Adrian Yanez fight and from what I heard, he was still staying at 125, but then I guess he’s coming back up.”
Although he got what he asked for, Font knows it won’t be an easy task. Figueiredo has finished 17 of his 21 professional wins with an array of both knockouts and submissions.
“He’s vicious,” Font said. “He has that Brazilian, I’m coming to knock your head off kind of style, solid guillotine, ex-champion, back-to-back wars. He’s tough. It’s not an easy fight at all. Obviously none of these fights are. Big name, talks a lot of sh*t.”
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With Figueiredo entering uncharted waters at 135 pounds, Font hopes he can capitalize on any potential adjustments he struggles to make.
“I hope so,” Font said. “I think the range is going to be different, I’m assuming he’s going to be a little quicker, I got to adapt to that too. I think I’m going to be a lot longer than him, a lot quicker than him, a little more polished with the striking.
“I assume he’s going to be shooting. I assume he’s going to try and chop my leg down. I think he’s going to have to figure his way out. I’ve just got to make sure I don’t let him get his rhythm going in that first round, especially leading into that second round.”
