UFC 281 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Second-highest total in Venum era

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 281 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $332,500.

NEW YORK – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 281 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $332,500.

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 281 took place at Madison Square Garden. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 281 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Claudio Puelles[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Brad Riddell[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Molly McCann[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Andre Petroski[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Matt Frevola[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Ottman Azaitar[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Karolina Kowalkiewicz[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Silvana Gomez Juarez[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Michael Trizano[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Seungwoo Choi[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Julio Arce[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Nicolae Negumereanu[/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 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $7,554,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $13,732,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC 281 with James Brown, AC/DC and Mötley Crüe

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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.

See what the fighters from UFC 281 went with as their backing tracks in New York.

Ryan Spann def. Dominick Reyes at UFC 281: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Ryan Spann’s first-round knockout win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]’s first-round knockout win over [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photos by Jessica Alcheh, USA TODAY Sports)

UFC 281 video: Ryan Spann destroys Dominick Reyes with vicious 80-second knockout

Dominick Reyes’ “massively upgraded defense” did not show itself against Ryan Spann at UFC 281.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag]’ “massively upgraded defense” did not show itself against [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] at UFC 281.

Spann (21-7 MMA, 7-2 UFC) needed just 80 seconds to score the biggest win of his career on Saturday, flooring Reyes (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) with a vicious finish courtesy of a gigantic overhand right punch in the preliminary-card bout which took place at Madison Square Garden.

Check out the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

With the defeat, Reyes has now lost four consecutive fights dating back to when he went tooth-and-nail with Jon Jones for the 205-pound title in February 2020.

Spann, meanwhile, has now picked up back-to-back wins. He missed weight for the fight, however, and therefore is ineligible to receive a $50,000 bonus.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 281 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.

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UFC 281: Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 281 odds and lines between Dominick Reyes and Ryan Spann, with MMA picks, tips and predictions.

In a light heavyweight bout on the preliminary card, Dominick Reyes and Ryan Spann meet Saturday at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the UFC 281: Reyes vs. Spann odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The early prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the prelims on ESPNews/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, and the main card starts at 10 p.m. ET on Pay-Per-View.

Reyes takes the walk looking to halt a 3-bout losing streak. He was knocked out in the 2nd round in the main event in May 2021 against Jiri Prochazka in his most recent appearance.

In that fight against Prochazka at UFC Vegas 25, Reyes suffered multiple injuries, including bilateral nasal bone fractures, a right displaced orbital medial wall fracture and a left displaced orbital zygomatic arch fracture.

Spann has alternated wins and losses in each of his past 5 fights, topping Ion Cutelaba last time out with a Round 1 submission. Each of his previous 4 outings has ended in the 1st round, with a win and loss by submission, and a win and loss via KO/TKO.

Spann hasn’t gone the distance since a split-decision win over “Smilin” Sam Alvey at UFC 249 on May 9, 2020. It’s his only fight in the past 7 bouts to need the judges.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 281: Reyes vs. Spann odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Reyes -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Spann +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
  • Over/Under: 1.5 rounds (Over -103 | Under -133)
  • Fight to go distance: Yes (+255) | No (-400)

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UFC 281: Reyes vs. Spann picks and predictions

Records: Reyes (12-3-0) | Spann (20-7-0)

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

The southpaw Reyes (-230) steps into the octagon with a 4.77-to-3.35 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and he is more accurate at 51.64% to just 45.95% for Spann.

Risking more than 2 times your potential return on Reyes is a little on the expensive side. He will snap a 3-bout losing skid in this one, and he is a much better value playing REYES BY TKO/KO (+100) at even money for the method of victory.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 1.5 ROUNDS (-133) is worth a look here, mainly due to the Spann factor. His past 4 fights haven’t even made it into Round 2, and 6 of his past 7 fights have cashed Under 1.5 Rounds.

Reyes will be looking to add to Spann’s misery, and he has the punching power to do so.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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UFC 281 weigh-in results: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira avoids issue in dramatic fashion; two others miss weight

Check out results from the official UFC 281 weigh-ins in New York, where Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira made weight with a little drama.

NEW YORK – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting from Friday’s official UFC 281 fighter weigh-ins, where two fighters missed their marks.

In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) takes on challenger and former kickboxing opponent [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Adesanya was among the initial burst of fighters to weigh in, but Pereira needed until the final minutes of the two-hour window. With five minutes left, Pereira made weight inside the weigh-in box UFC fighters use to strip down for some extra help on the scale.

Women’s strawweight chcamp [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and former titleholder Zhang Weili (22-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who meet in the co-feature made weight without issue. In addition, [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (23-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC), and [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC) successfully hit their marks ahead of a key lightweight fight.

Preliminary card fighters [autotag]Mike Trizano[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) and [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] (20-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) missed weight, however. Their fights against [autotag]Seung Woo Choi[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) and [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), respectively, will proceed. Trizano and Spann each will forfeit 20 percent of their purses to their opponents.

Former lightweight champ [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] (24-10-1 MMA, 18-10-1 UFC), who fights in what likely will be his retirement fight at banamweight against [autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag] (18-3-2 MMA, 6-1-1 UFC), made weight again, which made it 30-for-30 in his UFC tenure.

The early weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel in New York and precede the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans, which take place at 4 p.m. ET at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The nearby Madison Square Garden hosts Saturday’s event, which has a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

The full UFC 281 weigh-in results included:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Israel Adesanya (185) vs. Alex Pereira (184.6) – for middleweight title
  • Champ Carla Esparza (114.8) vs. Zhang Weili (114.8) – for women’s strawweight title
  • Michael Chandler (155.8) vs. Dustin Poirier (156)
  • Frankie Edgar (135.6) vs. Chris Gutierrez (136)
  • Dan Hooker (155.8) vs. Claudio Puelles (155.2)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Renato Moicano (155.8) vs. Brad Riddell (155.6)
  • Dominick Reyes (205.4) vs. Ryan Spann (206.6)*
  • Erin Blanchfield (125) vs. Molly McCann (125.4)
  • Andre Petroski (185.8) vs. Wellington Turman (185.2)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Ottman Azaitar (155.6) vs. Matt Frevola (154.8)
  • Silvana Gomez Juarez (115.6) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.6)
  • Seungwoo Choi (145.6) vs. Michael Trizano (147.6)**
  • Julio Arce (135.8) vs. Montel Jackson (135.8)
  • Nicolae Negumereanu (206) vs. Carlos Ulberg (205.2)

*Spann missed weight by 0.6 pounds and will be fined 20 percent of his fight purse.
**Trizano missed weight by 1.6 pounds and will be fined 20 percent of his fight purse.

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UFC 281’s Ryan Spann sees Dominick Reyes as just another opponent

Ryan Spann isn’t looking at Dominick Reyes any differently heading into UFC 281.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] spoke to reporters at media day ahead of UFC 281.

Spann (20-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who faces former light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Saturday’s prelims, isn’t looking at this fight any differently than his previous ones.

“It’s just another fight to me,” Spann told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I don’t care. … I’m not the shooter; I’m the bullet. It don’t matter.”

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UFC 281 takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Watch the video of Spann’s complete pre-fight media availability above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.

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UFC 281 pre-event facts: History at stake for multiple fighters on huge card

Go inside the numbers of Saturday’s stacked UFC 281 event, where multiple fighters have a chance to make history.

The UFC returns to New York on Saturday for its annual event at Madison Square Garden with UFC 281, which has a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

A doubleheader of championship bouts is featured at the top of the card, with middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) set to take on former two-time kickboxing rival [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the headlining act.

The co-main event will see strawweight champion [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) attempt to kick off her second reign in positive fashion when she meets former titleholder [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind both title bouts, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC 281.

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Dominick Reyes returns against Ryan Spann at UFC 281 in New York

Former title challenger Dominick Reyes will return to the octagon at UFC 281 in New York for a showdown with Ryan Spann.

Former title challenger [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] will return to the octagon at UFC 281 in New York for a showdown with [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag].

Reyes (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), who hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Jiri Prochazka in a Fight of the Year candidate in May 2021, makes his comeback against Spann (20-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on the Nov. 12 fight card, which takes place at Madison Square Garden.

MMA Junkie verified the booking with multiple people close to the situation, who requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Reyes, No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings, is currently on a three-fight losing skid after beginning his career with 12 consecutive victories.

The skid began in February 2020, when Reyes lost a hotly contested unanimous decision to Jon Jones at UFC 247 in February 2020. He subsequently was knocked out in a vacant 205-pound title against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 253 in September 2020, before being knocked out by the now-champ Prochazka.

He’ll attempt to rebound against Spann, who is an honorable mention in the latest rankings and coming off a submission win over Ion Cutelaba at UFC on ESPN 36 in May. The Fortis MMA product has alternated wins and losses over his past five fights.

The latest lineup for UFC 281 now includes:

  • Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira – for middleweight title
  • Erin Blanchfield vs. Molly McCann
  • Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann

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6 biggest takeaways from UFC on ESPN 36: Blachowicz’s title hopes, Rakic’s injury, Kelley’s cornering

Tony Kelley’s controversial cornering, Aleksandar Rakic’s injury and Jan Blachowicz’s win highlight our UFC on ESPN 36 takeaways.

What mattered most at UFC on ESPN 36 in Las Vegas? Here are a few post-fight musings…