UFC 256

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UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno
The poster for UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateDecember 12, 2020 (2020-12-12)
VenueUFC Apex
CityEnterprise, Nevada, United States
AttendanceNone (behind closed doors)[1]
Event chronology
UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal

UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on December 12, 2020 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.[2][3]

Background

[edit]

The promotion was initially targeting a UFC Welterweight Championship bout between current champion Kamaru Usman (also The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians welterweight winner) and Gilbert Burns to serve as the event headliner.[4] The pairing was previously scheduled to meet in July at UFC 251.[5] However, Burns was pulled from the contest after he and his coach, Greg Jones, tested positive for COVID-19.[6] In turn, Usman faced, and defeated Jorge Masvidal at that event.[7] On October 5, it was reported Usman pulled out from this bout, citing more time needed to recover from undisclosed injuries and the bout was postponed.[8]

While not officially announced by the organization, the promotion was also targeting a UFC Women's Featherweight Championship bout between the current champion Amanda Nunes (also the current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion) and former Invicta FC Featherweight Champion Megan Anderson to serve as the event headliner.[2] In turn, it was announced on November 9 that Nunes pulled out due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was postponed to 2021.[9]

A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling was originally scheduled to serve as the co-main event.[10] Due to the aforementioned cancelations, they were then expected to headline the card. On November 22, Russian media revealed that the fight was also canceled for personal reasons related to Yan and is expected to be booked at a later date.[11] Those "personal reasons" were later revealed to be related to visa and travel issues.[12]

Following his first title defense at UFC 255 on November 21, UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo headlined this event against Brandon Moreno, who also fought at that same date. This booking represented the shortest turnaround between title fights by a champion in UFC history at just 21 days.[13][14] Former Rizin FF Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape, who was expected to make his promotional debut a week later at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal, served as a potential replacement.[15]

Former Invicta FC and UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza (also The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned women's strawweight winner) was briefly scheduled to face Amanda Ribas at the event.[16] However on October 9, it was announced that Esparza was pulled due to undisclosed reasons.[17] Ribas was rescheduled against former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Michelle Waterson at UFC 257.[18]

A middleweight rematch between Omari Akhmedov and Marvin Vettori was briefly linked to the event.[19] The pairing met previously at UFC 219 in December 2017, when they fought to a majority draw.[20] On October 13, it was announced that Akhmedov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo Souza.[21] In turn, Vettori was removed from the contest to serve as a replacement for the main event of UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori a week earlier.[22] Kevin Holland, whom Vettori replaced due to a COVID-19 positive test, was rescheduled to face Souza at this event.[23]

A featherweight bout between Billy Quarantillo and Gavin Tucker took place at this event.[24] The pairing was previously scheduled to meet at an event on April 25 that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25][26]

Renato Moicano and Rafael Fiziev were expected to meet in a lightweight bout at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark.[27] In turn, Moicano pulled out after testing positive for COVID-19 and the bout was rescheduled for this event.[28]

Andrea Lee was expected to face Gillian Robertson in a women's flyweight bout at this event.[29] However, Lee pulled out in early December due to a broken nose and Robertson was rescheduled to face Taila Santos at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.[30]

A week before the event, several fights were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Karl Roberson and Dalcha Lungiambula were expected to meet in a middleweight bout at this card, but were eventually rescheduled for the following week's event due to Roberson's positive test.[35][36]
  • Dwight Grant also tested positive for COVID-19 during fight week and had to pull out of his welterweight bout against Li Jingliang.[37] A replacement wasn't able to be found and therefore Li was removed from the event.[38]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Flyweight Deiveson Figueiredo (c) vs. Brandon Moreno Draw (majority) (48–46, 47–47, 47–47) 5 5:00 [a]
Lightweight Charles Oliveira def. Tony Ferguson Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26) 3 5:00
Women's Strawweight Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Middleweight Kevin Holland def. Ronaldo Souza KO (punches) 1 1:45
Heavyweight Ciryl Gane def. Junior dos Santos TKO (elbow) 2 2:34
Preliminary card (ESPN2 / ESPN+)
Featherweight Cub Swanson def. Daniel Pineda KO (punches) 2 1:52
Lightweight Rafael Fiziev def. Renato Moicano KO (punches) 1 4:05
Featherweight Gavin Tucker def. Billy Quarantillo Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Women's Strawweight Tecia Torres def. Sam Hughes TKO (doctor stoppage) 1 5:00
Early preliminary card (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Featherweight Chase Hooper def. Peter Barrett Submission (heel hook) 3 3:02
  1. ^ For the UFC Flyweight Championship. Figueiredo was deducted one point in round 3 for a groin strike.

[41]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[42]

  • Fight of the Night: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno
  • Performance of the Night: Kevin Holland and Rafael Fiziev

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Matthew Petela and Andrew Sumian (2020-12-07). "Toe-to-Toe: UFC 256 preview and predictions". combatpress.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  2. ^ a b Nick Selbe (2020-08-21). "Report: Amanda Nunes to defend featherweight title in December bout vs. Megan Anderson". si.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  3. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2020-11-15). "2020 UFC event schedule: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Alex Perez, Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis among events". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  4. ^ Damon Martin (2020-09-01). "Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns targeted for UFC 256 in December". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  5. ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-06-09). "Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns headlines UFC 251 on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  6. ^ Mike Bohn (2020-07-03). "Gilbert Burns tests positive for COVID-19, out of UFC 251 headliner vs. Kamaru Usman". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  7. ^ Marc Raimondi (2020-07-12). "Kamaru Usman beats Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision at UFC 251 to retain welterweight belt". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  8. ^ Ariel Helwani (2020-10-05). "Sources: Usman-Burns fight on Dec. 12 is off". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  9. ^ Staff (2020-11-09). "Megan Anderson says Amanda Nunes out of UFC 256, title fight pushed to 2021". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  10. ^ Mike Bohn (2020-10-14). "Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling bantamweight title fight set for UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  11. ^ Staff (2020-11-22). "Yan vs. Sterling UFC title fight canceled". tass.ru. Retrieved 2020-11-22. (in Russian)
  12. ^ Jed Meshew (2020-11-24). "Morning Report: Petr Yan reveals why he withdrew from scheduled title defense against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  13. ^ Ariel Helwani (2020-11-22). "Sources: Deiveson Figueiredo, Brandon Moreno agree to fight at UFC 256". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  14. ^ Staff and Vinicius Giglio (2020-11-24). "Main & co-main events confirmed for UFC 256". ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  15. ^ Daniel Cunningham (2020-12-05). "Manel Kape to serve as UFC 256 backup". empiresportsmedia.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  16. ^ Staff (2020-09-09). "UFC plans duel between Amanda Ribas and Carla Esparza for UFC 256 in December". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2020-09-09. (in Portuguese)
  17. ^ Guilherme Cruz, Damon Martin and Mike Heck (2020-10-09). "Carla Esparza no longer fighting Amanda Ribas at UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  18. ^ Brett Okamoto (2020-11-02). "Michelle Waterson, Amanda Ribas closing in on deal to fight at UFC 257, sources say". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  19. ^ Jay Pettry (2020-09-25). "Marvin Vettori rematches Omari Akhmedov at UFC 256 on Dec. 12". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  20. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2017-12-30). "UFC 219 results: Marvin Vettori, Omari Akhmedov slug their way to majority draw". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  21. ^ Andrea Ruggini (2020-10-13). "Marvin Vettori will face Jacaré Souza at UFC 256". fight.theshieldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2020-10-13. (in Italian)
  22. ^ Mike Bohn and John Morgan (2020-11-28). "Jack Hermansson vs. Marvin Vettori set as new UFC on ESPN 19 headliner". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  23. ^ Dave Doyle (2020-11-29). "Kevin Holland vs. 'Jacare' Souza added to UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  24. ^ Nolan King (2020-10-28). "Billy Quarantillo and Gavin Tucker get their wishes, booked to fight at UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  25. ^ Nolan King (2020-03-05). "Billy Quarantillo vs. Gavin Tucker added to UFC on ESPN+ 31". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  26. ^ Damon Martin (2020-04-09). "UFC 249, upcoming events postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, Dana White promises 'Fight Island' will proceed". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  27. ^ Raphael Marinho (2020-09-27). "Ultimate sets Renato Moicano x Rafael Fiziev for November 28th card". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21. (in Portuguese)
  28. ^ Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2020-11-21). "Renato Moicano tests positive for COVID-19, fight against Rafael Fiziev rescheduled for UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  29. ^ Danny Segura and John Morgan (2020-11-20). "Andrea Lee vs. Gillian Robertson in the works for UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  30. ^ Jay Anderson (2020-12-05). "Gillian Robertson now fights Taila Santos at UFC Vegas 17". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  31. ^ Damon Martin and Mike Heck (2020-10-19). "Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill rematch booked for UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  32. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-06-13). "UFC 188 results: Tecia Torres outworks 'TUF 20' teammate Angela Hill for decision win". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  33. ^ Mike Bohn (2020-12-06). "Angela Hill announces positive COVID-19 test, out of Tecia Torres rematch at UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  34. ^ Alexander K. Lee and Damon Martin (2020-12-08). "Tecia Torres will now face LFA standout Sam Hughes at UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  35. ^ David Tees (2020-11-07). "Report: Karl Roberson faces Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC 256". fightful.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  36. ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-12-07). "UFC Fight Night 183 reaches 16 bouts after Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos, two others added". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  37. ^ Nolan King (2020-12-07). "Dwight Grant announces positive COVID-19 test, out of UFC 256 fight vs. Li Jingliang". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  38. ^ Cole Shelton (2020-12-09). "Tecia Torres gets new opponent for UFC 256, Li Jingliang doesn't". mmanews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  39. ^ Danny Segura and Farah Hannoun (2020-11-06). "Sergey Spivak vs. Jared Vanderaa in the works for UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  40. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2020-12-10). "Sergey Spivak vs. Jared Vanderaa removed from UFC 256 due to positive COVID-19 test". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  41. ^ "UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  42. ^ Stephie Haynes (2020-12-12). "UFC 256 bonuses: Kevin Holland leads $50K winners with KO off his back". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
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