UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad
The poster for UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad
Information
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateMarch 13, 2021 (2021-03-13)
VenueUFC Apex
CityEnterprise, Nevada, United States
AttendanceNone (behind closed doors)[1]
Event chronology
UFC 259: Błachowicz vs. Adesanya UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland

UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad (also known as UFC Fight Night 187, UFC on ESPN+ 45 and UFC Vegas 21) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 13, 2021 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.[2][3]

Background

A welterweight bout between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev was expected to serve as the main event.[4] The pairing has been scheduled as headliner and cancelled on two previous occasions due to COVID-19 related issues affecting both fighters. First at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal in December 2020, and again at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny in January 2021.[5][6][7] On February 11, the fight was cancelled a third time as it was announced that Chimaev was still suffering from lingering effects of COVID-19 and pulled out of the fight.[8] Edwards faced Belal Muhammad instead.[9]

A bantamweight bout between Irwin Rivera and Ray Rodriguez was scheduled for the event.[10] However, on January 7, news surfaced that Rivera was arrested for two counts of attempted murder in Palm Beach County, Florida after he allegedly stabbed his two sisters. He is currently being held in the Palm Beach County jail without bail.[11] He was replaced by Rani Yahya.[12]

Tagir Ulanbekov and returning veteran Matheus Nicolau were expected to meet in a flyweight bout at UFC 257, but Ulanbekov withdrew in late December due to undisclosed reasons.[13] The pairing was eventually rescheduled for this event.[14] However, Ulanbekov pulled out once again and was replaced by former Rizin FF Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape.[15]

A heavyweight bout between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane was originally scheduled for this event.[16] However, they were moved to headline UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane after the original main event between former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Dominick Reyes and former Rizin Light Heavyweight Champion Jiří Procházka was cancelled due to undisclosed reasons.[17]

Guram Kutateladze was expected to face Don Madge in a lightweight bout at the event.[18] However, Kutateladze pulled out in early February due to a knee injury.[19] He was replaced by Nasrat Haqparast.[20] In turn, Madge pulled out on March 6 due to visa issues.[21] Haqparast eventually faced promotional newcomer Rafa García.[22]

The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber lightweight winner Ryan Hall was expected to face Dan Ige in a featherweight bout at the event.[23] However, Hall pulled out of the fight on February 11 due to undisclosed reasons.[24] Ige faced Gavin Tucker instead.[25]

Misha Cirkunov was expected to face Ryan Spann in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal. However, Cirkunov pulled out due to an injury.[26] The fight took place at this event.[27]

Charles Jourdain was expected to face Steve Garcia in a featherweight bout at the event.[28] However, Garcia withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Marcelo Rojo.[29]

A women's strawweight rematch between former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion Angela Hill and Ashley Yoder was expected to take place at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane.[30] The two met before at The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale in July 2017, with Hill winning via unanimous decision.[31] Their second meeting was postponed on the day of that event, as it was announced that one of Yoder's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. The bout took place at this card.[32]

A featherweight bout between Ricardo Ramos and Zubaira Tukhugov was expected to take place during the preliminary portion of the event.[33] A week before the event, Tukhugov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons.[34] Promotion officials elected to remove Ramos from the card entirely and he will be rescheduled for a future event.[35]

A heavyweight bout between Ben Rothwell and Philipe Lins was expected to take place at the event.[36] However, during the week leading up to the event the bout was removed from the card due to undisclosed reasons. The pairing is expected to remain intact and rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson.[37]

Results

Main card (ESPN+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad No Contest (accidental eye poke) 2 0:18 [lower-alpha 1]
Light Heavyweight Ryan Spann def. Misha Cirkunov TKO (punches) 1 1:11
Featherweight Dan Ige def. Gavin Tucker KO (punch) 1 0:22
Bantamweight Davey Grant def. Jonathan Martinez KO (punch) 2 3:03
Flyweight Matheus Nicolau def. Manel Kape Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Middleweight Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart No Contest (illegal knee) 1 4:37 [lower-alpha 2]
Preliminary card (ESPN+)
Women’s Strawweight Angela Hill def. Ashley Yoder Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Featherweight Charles Jourdain def. Marcelo Rojo TKO (punches) 3 4:31
Bantamweight Rani Yahya def. Ray Rodriguez Submission (arm-triangle choke) 2 3:09
Lightweight Nasrat Haqparast def. Rafa García Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Women’s Flyweight JJ Aldrich def. Cortney Casey Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Women’s Strawweight Jinh Yu Frey def. Gloria de Paula Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Welterweight Matthew Semelsberger def. Jason Witt KO (punch) 1 0:16
  1. ↑ Accidental eye poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue.
  2. ↑ Anders landed an illegal knee to Stewart's head, who was a downed opponent.

[38]

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[39]

  • Fight of the Night: No bonus awarded.
  • Performance of the Night: Ryan Spann, Dan Ige, Davey Grant and Matthew Semelsberger

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mike Bohn (2021-03-14). "UFC Fight Night 187 post-event facts: A historic card with two no contests". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  2. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (2021-01-20). "UFC announces two upcoming main-events". ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  3. ↑ Nolan King (2021-02-09). "Nevada Athletic Commission approves four UFC events for March in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  4. ↑ Simon Head and John Morgan (2021-01-13). "Dana White confirms Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev rebooked for March 13 main event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  5. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2020-12-01). "Sources: Leon Edwards-Khamzat Chimaev fight off after Edwards tests positive for COVID-19". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  6. ↑ Danny Segura (2020-12-30). "COVID-19 complications led to Khamzat Chimaev's withdrawal from Leon Edwards bout". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  7. ↑ Staff (2020-12-30). "Leon Edwards-Khamzat Chimaev pushed back; Neil Magny-Michael Chiesa new Jan. 20 main event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  8. ↑ Brett Okamoto (2021-02-11). "Khamzat Chimaev out against Leon Edwards due to COVID-19, Dana White says". espn.com. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  9. ↑ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2021-02-18). "Belal Muhammad steps up, agrees to Leon Edwards fight for UFC main event on March 13". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  10. ↑ Farah Hannoun and Nolan King (2020-12-08). "Irwin Rivera vs. Ray Rodriguez booked for UFC Fight Night on March 13". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  11. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2021-01-07). "UFC fighter Irwin Rivera jailed on charges of first-degree premeditated murder". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  12. ↑ Simon Head (2021-01-23). "UFC Fight Night: Ray Rodriguez vs. Rani Yahya set for UFC's March 13 card". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  13. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2020-12-19). "Matheus Nicolau re-signs with UFC, needs new opponent for UFC 257 after Tagir Ulanbekov withdraws". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  14. ↑ Raphael Marinho (2021-01-12). "Ultimate sends Matheus Nicolau vs. Tagir Ulanbekov to March 13". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13. (in Portuguese)
  15. ↑ Staff (2021-03-04). "Manel Kape takes short notice match against Matheus Nicolau on March 13". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2021-03-04. (in Dutch)
  16. ↑ Jesse Holland (2021-01-13). "Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Cyril Gane joins UFC Fight Night lineup on March 13". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  17. ↑ Alexander Mookie (2021-01-30). "Reyes vs. Prochazka out, Rozenstruik vs. Gane in as UFC Fight Night headliner for Feb. 27". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  18. ↑ Ishaan Bhattacharya (2021-01-17). "Guram Kutateladze announced to face Don Madge on Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards card". essentiallysports.com. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  19. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2021-02-08). "Guram Kutateladze says he's out of March 13 UFC fight vs. Don Madge due to knee injury". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  20. ↑ Staff (2021-02-11). "Nasrat Haqparast takes short notice match against Don Madge on March 13". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-11. (in Dutch)
  21. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2021-03-06). "Don Madge withdraws from UFC Fight Night 187 vs. Nasrat Haqparast due to visa issues". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  22. ↑ Gabriel Gonzalez (2021-03-09). "UFC Vegas 21: Rafa Garcia steps in to face Nasrat Haqparast". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  23. ↑ Danny Segura (2021-01-14). "Dan Ige, Ryan Hall booked for UFC Fight Night on March 13". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  24. ↑ Mike Bohn and Farah Hannoun (2021-02-11). "Ryan Hall out of fight vs. Dan Ige at UFC Fight Night on March 13". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  25. ↑ Nolan King (2021-02-22). "With Ryan Hall out, Gavin Tucker steps in to fight Dan Ige at UFC Fight Night 187". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  26. ↑ Staff (2020-12-05). "Updates to December 19 UFC Fight Night". ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  27. ↑ Alexander K. Lee (2021-02-18). "Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann re-booked for March 13 UFC card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  28. ↑ Jay Anderson (2021-02-18). "UFC: Charles Jourdain vs. Steve Garcia announced for March 13". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  29. ↑ Mike Heck (2021-02-24). "With Steve Garcia out, Charles Jourdain now meets Marcelo Rojo at UFC Vegas 21". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  30. ↑ Nolan King (2021-02-20). "Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder late addition to UFC Fight Night 186". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  31. ↑ Simon Samano (2017-07-07). "TUF 25 Finale results: Angela Hill's standup game shines in unanimous win over Ashley Yoder". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  32. ↑ Alexander K. Lee (2021-02-27). "Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder 2 postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, moved to UFC Vegas 21". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  33. ↑ Jay Anderson (2021-01-18). "UFC: Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Ricardo Ramos booked for March 13". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  34. ↑ Staff (2021-03-04). "'Carcacinha' is without an opponent and his participation in UFC Vegas 21 is threatened". espn.com.br. Retrieved 2021-03-06. (in Portuguese)
  35. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2021-03-09). "With no opponent available, Ricardo Ramos pulled from UFC Vegas 21". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  36. ↑ Jay Pettry (2021-01-29). "Ben Rothwell takes on Philipe Lins at UFC Fight Night 187 on March 13". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  37. ↑ Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (2021-03-09). "Ben Rothwell vs. Philipe Lins fight at UFC Vegas 21 postponed". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  38. ↑ "UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad". Ultimate Fighting Championship. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  39. ↑ Stephie Haynes (2021-03-13). "UFC Vegas 21 post-fight bonuses: Dan Ige quickly starches Gavin Tucker". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
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