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2017 in UFC
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| 2017 in UFC | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Information | ||||
| First date | January 15 | |||
| Last date | December 30 | |||
| Events | ||||
| Total events | 39 | |||
| UFC | 12 | |||
| UFC on Fox | 4 | |||
| TUF Finale events | 2 | |||
| Fights | ||||
| Total fights | 457 | |||
| Title fights | 20 | |||
| Chronology | ||||
| ||||
The year 2017 was the 25th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States.
2017 in UFC
[edit]Dana White's Contender Series
[edit]In May 2017, the UFC announced White would hold Dana White's Contender Series weekly on UFC Fight Pass. As with the earlier web series Looking for a Fight, the goal of the series is for White to scout talent for the UFC.[1][2] Similar to The Ultimate Fighter none of the fighters involved will have existing UFC contracts. Licensed separately from the UFC with Dana White applying for a promoter's licence, it was stated ahead of the license being approved that “this is not the UFC, this is not the UFC brand, but instead a promotion that will allow up and coming fighters the chance to showcase their talents in hopes that one day they may compete in the UFC."[3]
The inaugural event took take place on July 11, 2017 at the UFC's home base of Las Vegas.[4][5]
2017 UFC.com awards
[edit]Debut UFC fighters
[edit]The following fighters fought their first UFC fight in 2017:
- Abdul-Kerim Edilov
- Adam Wieczorek
- Aiemann Zahabi
- Aleksandar Rakić
- Alex Perez
- Alex Reyes
- Alexandre Pantoja
- Allen Crowder
- Amanda Lemos
- Andre Soukhamthath
- Ariel Beck
- Arjan Bhullar
- Ashkan Mokhtarian
- Barb Honchak
- Benito Lopez
- Bharat Kandare
- Bobby Nash
- Brian Kelleher
- Calvin Kattar
- Carls John de Tomas
- Chan-Mi Jeon
- Christina Marks
- Cindy Dandois
- Cody Stamann
- Cynthia Calvillo
- Daniel Spitz
- Daniel Teymur
- Danny Henry
- Davi Ramos
- DeAnna Bennett
- Deiveson Figueiredo
- Desmond Green
- Devin Powell
- Dominick Reyes
- Drakkar Klose
- Emily Whitmire
- Eryk Anders
- Eric Shelton
- Frank Camacho
- Galore Bofando
- Gavin Tucker
- Gillian Robertson
- Gina Mazany
- Gökhan Saki
- Hu Yaozong
- Humberto Bandenay
- James Bochnovic
- Jared Gordon
- Jeremy Kimball
- Jessica Rose-Clark
- Ji Yeon Kim
- Jodie Esquibel
- Joseph Morales
- Julian Marquez
- Júnior Albini
- Justin Gaethje
- Justin Willis
- Kalindra Faria
- Karine Gevorgyan
- Karl Roberson
- Lucie Pudilova
- Luke Jumeau
- Mads Burnell
- Magomed Bibulatov
- Mara Romero Borella
- Marcel Fortuna
- Marcelo Golm
- Mark De La Rosa
- Markus Perez
- Michał Oleksiejczuk
- Melinda Fábián
- Merab Dvalishvili
- Michel Quiñones
- Mike Santiago
- Montana De La Rosa
- Muslim Salikhov
- Nadia Kassem
- Naoki Inoue
- Nasrat Haqparast
- Nicco Montaño
- Nick Roehrick
- Oliver Enkamp
- Oskar Piechota
- Paulo Costa
- Pearl Gonzalez
- Poliana Botelho
- Rashad Coulter
- Rachael Ostovich
- Ramazan Emeev
- Ricardo Ramos
- Rob Wilkinson
- Roberto Sanchez
- Rolando Dy
- Terrion Ware
- Trevin Giles
- Salim Touahri
- Sean O'Malley
- Shana Dobson
- Shane Young
- Sheymon Moraes
- Song Kenan
- Song Yadong
- Syuri Kondo
- Tai Tuivasa
- Talita Bernardo
- Tom Duquesnoy
- Tom Gallicchio
- Volkan Oezdemir
- Wang Guan
- Wu Yunan
- Wuliji Buren
- Yan Xiaonan
- Zabit Magomedsharipov
- Zu Anyanwu
The Ultimate Fighter
[edit]The following The Ultimate Fighter seasons are scheduled for broadcast in 2017:
| Season | Finale | Division | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUF 25: Redemption | July 7, 2017 | Welterweight | Jesse Taylor | Dhiego Lima |
| TUF 26: A New World Champion | December 1, 2017 | Women's Flyweight | Nicco Montaño | Roxanne Modafferi |
Title fights
[edit]| Title fights in 2017 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Event | Notes | |||
| Women's Featherweight | Germaine de Randamie | def. | Holly Holm | Decision (unanimous) (48–47, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 208 | [a] |
| Welterweight | Tyron Woodley (c) | def. | Stephen Thompson | Decision (majority) (48–47, 47–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 209 | [b] |
| Light Heavyweight | Daniel Cormier (c) | def. | Anthony Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 3:39 | UFC 210 | [c] |
| Flyweight | Demetrious Johnson (c) | def. | Wilson Reis | Submission (armbar) | 3 | 4:49 | UFC on Fox 24 | [d] |
| Women's Strawweight | Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c) | def. | Jéssica Andrade | Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 50–44, 50–45) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 211 | [e] |
| Heavyweight | Stipe Miocic (c) | def. | Junior dos Santos | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:22 | UFC 211 | [f] |
| Featherweight | Max Holloway (ic) | def. | José Aldo (c) | TKO (punches) | 3 | 4:13 | UFC 212 | [g] |
| Middleweight | Robert Whittaker | def. | Yoel Romero | Decision (unanimous) (48–47, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 213 | [h] |
| Women's Featherweight | Cris Cyborg | def. | Tonya Evinger | TKO (knees) | 3 | 1:56 | UFC 214 | [i] |
| Welterweight | Tyron Woodley (c) | def. | Demian Maia | Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 49–46, 49–46) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 214 | [j] |
| Light Heavyweight | Daniel Cormier (c) | vs. | Jon Jones | No Contest (overturned) | 3 | 3:01 | UFC 214 | [k] |
| Women's Bantamweight | Amanda Nunes (c) | def. | Valentina Shevchenko | Decision (split) (47–48, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 215 | [l] |
| Flyweight | Demetrious Johnson (c) | def. | Ray Borg | Submission (armbar) | 5 | 3:15 | UFC 216 | [m] |
| Lightweight | Tony Ferguson | def. | Kevin Lee | Submission (triangle choke) | 3 | 4:02 | UFC 216 | [n] |
| Women's Strawweight | Rose Namajunas | def. | Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c) | TKO (punches) | 1 | 3:03 | UFC 217 | [o] |
| Bantamweight | T.J. Dillashaw | def. | Cody Garbrandt (c) | KO (punches) | 2 | 2:41 | UFC 217 | [p] |
| Middleweight | Georges St-Pierre | def. | Michael Bisping (c) | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | 3 | 4:23 | UFC 217 | [q] |
| Women's Flyweight | Nicco Montaño | def. | Roxanne Modafferi | Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 49–46, 49–46) | 5 | 5:00 | The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale | [r] |
| Featherweight | Max Holloway (c) | def. | José Aldo | TKO (punches) | 3 | 4:51 | UFC 218 | [s] |
| Women's Featherweight | Cris Cyborg (c) | def. | Holly Holm | Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 219 | [t] |
- ^ For the inaugural UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Welterweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Featherweight Championship.
- ^ For the interim UFC Middleweight Championship.
- ^ For the vacant UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Welterweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Originally a KO (head kick and punches) win for Jones, overturned after he tested positive for turinabol.
- ^ For the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
- ^ For the interim UFC Lightweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
- ^ For the inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Featherweight Championship.
- ^ For the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship.
Events list
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Staff (2017-05-12). "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series Launches on Fight Pass". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
- ^ Staff (2017-05-13). "'Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series' debuts July 11 on UFC Fight Pass with 5 live fights a week". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
- ^ "Dana White receives promoter's license for new contender series separate from UFC - FOX Sports". 14 June 2017.
- ^ Staff (2017-05-12). "5-fight lineup revealed for 'Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series' premiere". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi (2017-06-22). "Tuesday Night Contender Series to premiere July 11". ufc.com. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
- ^ "Top 10: The Best Fighters of 2017 | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2018-01-07. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "The Top Ten Biggest Upsets of 2017 | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2018-01-03. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "The Top Submissions of 2017 | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2018-01-04. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ^ "The Top Ten Newcomers of 2017 | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2017-12-20. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "The Top Ten Knockouts of 2017 | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "The Top Ten Fights of 2017 | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ Staff (December 31, 2017). "UFC 219 draws announced 13,561 fans for $1.76 million live gate in 2017 finale in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ "UFC on FOX 26 draws reported 8,862 attendance for $781k live gate". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-17. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 123 draws reported 7,605 attendance for $568,290 live gate in Fresno". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
- ^ "UFC 218 draws reported 17,587 attendance for $2 million gate". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 122 draws announced 15,128 fans for sell-out in mainland China debut". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-25. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 121 draws announced 10,021 fans in Sydney". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 120 attendance: Event stands as most attended UFC card in Virginia". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "UFC 217 draws reported 18,201 attendance for $6.2 million live gate in Madison Square Garden return". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-05. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ Staff (2017-10-29). "UFC Fight Night 119 draws announced 10,265 fans in Sao Paulo". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-29.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 118 draws announced 11,138 attendance in Poland". MMAjunkie. 2017-10-21. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
- ^ Staff (2017-10-08). "UFC 216 draws announced attendance of 10,638 for $677,999.50 live gate in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ Mazique, Brian. "UFC Fight Night 117 Results, Highlights, Bonus Money Winners, Fight Scores, Attendance And Gate". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
- ^ Mazique, Brian. "UFC Fight Night 116 Results, Bonus Winners, Fight Scores, Highlights, Attendance & Gate Info". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ "UFC 215: Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2 Gate and Attendance from Edmonton | MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ "UFC-Rotterdam attendance takes slight dip from Dutch debut". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 114 draws reported 10,172 attendance in Mexico City". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
- ^ Staff (July 30, 2017). "UFC 214: Cormier vs. Jones 2' sets UFC-Honda Center attendace [sic] record". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ "UFC on FOX 25 draws reported 11,198 attendance for $1.1 million live gate". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 113 attendance: Return to Glasgow draws bigger crowd than debut". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
- ^ "UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker Gate and Attendance from Las Vegas | MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
- ^ "TUF 25 Finale draws reported 6,308 attendance for $432,495 live gate". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-08. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 112: Chiesa vs. Lee Gate and Attendance from Oklahoma City | MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 111 draws reported 8,414 attendance for $839,300 USD live gate". MMAjunkie. 2017-06-17. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
- ^ Staff (2017-06-11). "UFC Fight Night 110 draws announced crowd of 8,649 for live gate near $830K". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
- ^ Staff (2017-06-04). "UFC 212 attendance draws announced attendance of 15,412 for undisclosed live gate". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-06-04.
- ^ Staff (2017-05-28). "UFC Fight Night 109 attendance: Stockholm draws another solid crowd". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-05-28.
- ^ Staff (2017-05-14). "UFC 211 draws announced attendance of 17,834 for $2,662,645 live gate in Dallas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
- ^ Staff (2017-04-23). "UFC Fight Night 108 attendance: Event sets UFC-Nashville live-gate record". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
- ^ Staff (2017-04-15). "UFC on FOX 24 attendance: Thrilling card proves highest-earning sports event in venue history". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
- ^ Staff (2017-04-09). "UFC 210 draws announced 17,110 attendance for KeyBank Center sports record $2 million gate". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
- ^ Staff (2017-03-18). "UFC Fight Night 107 draws announced 15,761 fans for gate north of $2 million in London". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
- ^ Staff (2017-03-12). "UFC Fight Night 106 draws announced attendance of 14,069 for sell-out in Fortaleza, Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- ^ Staff (2017-03-05). "UFC 209 draws reported 13,150 attendance for $2.385 million live gate". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
- ^ Staff (2017-02-20). "UFC Fight Night 105 draws reported 8,123 attendance for $575,832 live gate". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
- ^ Staff (2017-02-12). "Sold-out UFC 208 draws announced 15,628 fans for $2,275,105 live gate, Barclays Center sports record". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
- ^ Staff (2017-02-05). "UFC Fight Night 104 draws announced attendance of 8,119 for gate north of $600,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- ^ Staff (2017-01-28). "UFC on FOX 23 draws announced attendance of 13,233 for live gate north of $1 million in Denver". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
- ^ Staff (2017-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 103 draws 11,589 fans for gate north of $900,000 in Phoenix". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
External links
[edit]| By year |  | |
|---|---|---|
| General info | ||
| Executives |
| |
| Lists | ||
2017 in UFC
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview and Background
Introduction
2017 marked a pivotal year in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), characterized by significant expansion and a series of high-profile milestones that underscored the organization's growing global footprint. The UFC hosted 39 events across 14 countries and five continents, reflecting its commitment to international growth while maintaining a robust domestic schedule. This period saw the triumphant return of legendary fighter Georges St-Pierre after a four-year hiatus, injecting renewed excitement into the welterweight and middleweight divisions.[4] The year featured a total of 457 fights, including 20 title bouts that highlighted a surge in upsets and the emergence of new champions across multiple weight classes. These contests emphasized the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts, with several long-reigning titleholders dethroned in dramatic fashion. Key themes included the continued rise of women's divisions, which gained further prominence through inaugural title defenses and high-stakes matchups in the new featherweight and flyweight divisions, alongside an influx of fresh talent from development programs that bolstered the roster's depth.[5] The UFC's calendar spanned from the season-opening UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn on January 15 in Phoenix, Arizona, to the year-closing UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm on December 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada, encompassing pay-per-views, Fight Nights, and Fox broadcasts that drew record viewership in select markets. Programs such as Dana White's Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter served as vital feeders, introducing promising prospects who quickly integrated into the main roster and contributed to the year's dynamic competition landscape.[6]Key Statistics
In 2017, the UFC hosted 39 events worldwide, following the 41 events of 2016.[7] These included 12 numbered pay-per-view events, 4 UFC on Fox cards, 2 Ultimate Fighter Finals, and 21 Fight Night events.[8] The organization also achieved its highest annual attendance total, drawing 453,333 fans across all events.[7] Across 457 total fights, outcomes broke down to 146 knockouts or technical knockouts, 80 submissions, and 225 decisions, with 5 no contests and 1 disqualification.[5] Women's bouts increased from 2016, reflecting expanded divisions including the debuts of women's featherweight and flyweight.[5] Notable records included Stipe Miocic tying the heavyweight division mark with his second title defense via first-round TKO over Junior dos Santos at UFC 211.[9] Additionally, Rose Namajunas ended Joanna Jędrzejczyk's dominant strawweight reign—spanning five successful defenses since 2015—with a first-round knockout at UFC 217.[10]Talent Development
Dana White's Contender Series
Dana White's Contender Series debuted in 2017 as a streamlined scouting platform designed to identify and sign promising mixed martial artists directly to UFC contracts, bypassing the more elaborate production of prior talent-search formats. The inaugural season launched on July 11, 2017, at the UFC Training Center (also known as TUF Gym) in Las Vegas, Nevada, consisting of eight weekly episodes streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. Each episode featured five non-title bouts across various weight classes, contested in front of a limited studio audience to emphasize raw performances over spectacle. UFC President Dana White hosted the series, personally announcing contract awards to standout victors or dominant performers at the end of each show based on input from matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard.[11][12] The format prioritized efficiency, with fights airing live on Tuesdays and focusing on unsigned prospects from regional promotions seeking to break into the UFC roster. Over the eight episodes, 80 fighters competed, showcasing a mix of established regional talents and emerging athletes vying for life-changing opportunities. Contracts were not guaranteed to winners alone; decisions hinged on overall impression, leading to variable outcomes per card—ranging from zero to multiple signees. This approach allowed the UFC to rapidly expand its talent pool, functioning as an effective developmental pipeline for future roster additions.[12][13] The season's first episode highlighted the high-stakes nature of the series, with bouts including Joby Sanchez's unanimous decision victory over Manny Vazquez in the flyweight division, though Sanchez initially left without a contract before earning one later in the season. In total, 17 fighters secured UFC deals across the run, including high-profile prospects like Sean O'Malley (bantamweight, episode 2), Alex Perez (flyweight, episode 5), Geoff Neal (welterweight, episode 3), and Dan Ige (featherweight, episode 4). These signees exemplified the series' success in unearthing versatile talents who went on to compete prominently in the UFC, with several achieving top-contender status in subsequent years. The initiative's impact extended beyond immediate signings, establishing a repeatable model for talent evaluation that influenced UFC's recruitment strategy moving forward.[12][14][15]The Ultimate Fighter
In 2017, The Ultimate Fighter aired two seasons on FS1, continuing its role as a key talent development platform for the UFC by showcasing competitive bouts, training dynamics, and personal narratives among aspiring fighters. Season 25, subtitled "Redemption," premiered on April 19 and consisted of 14 episodes that highlighted welterweights returning for a second chance after previous appearances on the show.[16][17] The season's coaching matchup featured intense rivalry between then-UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and former champion T.J. Dillashaw, both former training partners whose animosity added drama to the house dynamics and selection process.[18][19] Redemption themes were central, with fighters like Jesse Taylor addressing past disqualifications and personal setbacks through grueling training and eliminations. The season culminated at the TUF 25 Finale on July 7 in Las Vegas, where Taylor defeated Dhiego Lima via rear-naked choke submission in the second round to claim the win.[20] Season 26, titled "A New World Champion," premiered on August 30 and also spanned 14 episodes, marking a milestone as the first all-women's edition focused on establishing the UFC's flyweight division.[21][17] Coaches were former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and rising star Justin Gaethje, whose contrasting styles—Alvarez's technical grappling versus Gaethje's aggressive striking—influenced team strategies and fighter development in a diverse, international cast.[22][23] The narrative emphasized gender equity in MMA, showcasing resilience among competitors from various countries amid injuries and cultural challenges. The finale aired on December 1 at TUF 26 Finale in Las Vegas, with Nicco Montaño defeating Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to become the inaugural UFC women's flyweight champion.[24][25] Winners and standout performers from both seasons, including Taylor and Montaño, secured UFC contracts and transitioned to the main roster, contributing to the promotion's depth in welterweight and flyweight divisions.[26]Notable Debuts
In 2017, the UFC welcomed 116 new fighters to its roster, marking a significant influx of talent across various weight classes. These debutants compiled a record of 60 wins, 54 losses, and 2 draws, yielding a win rate of approximately 52 percent. This cohort included several prospects who quickly established themselves as contenders, contributing to the promotion's evolving landscape of emerging stars.[7] Among the most impactful debuts was that of Volkan Oezdemir, a Swiss light heavyweight who entered the UFC on February 4, 2017, defeating Ovince Saint Preux by split decision at UFC Fight Night 102. Oezdemir's rapid ascent continued with three more victories that year, including stoppages over Misha Cirkunov and Gokhan Saki, earning him a light heavyweight title shot against Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 in January 2018. His aggressive style and finishing ability highlighted the potential for quick breakthroughs among newcomers.[27][28][29][30] Other standouts included Justin Gaethje, who made his UFC debut on July 7, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale, securing a second-round knockout over Michael Johnson in a Fight of the Night performance that showcased his high-pressure striking. Zabit Magomedsharipov, representing Russia, debuted on September 2, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 115, submitting Mike Santiago in the second round and displaying elite grappling and movement. Similarly, Brazilian Paulo Costa debuted on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106, stopping Garreth McLellan in the first round via strikes, and followed with another stoppage over Oluwale Bamgbose in the second round on June 3 at UFC 212, signaling the arrival of a powerful middleweight prospect.[31] Women's divisions also saw promising entries, such as Rachael Ostovich's flyweight debut on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, where she submitted Karine Gevorgyan in the first round. Sean O'Malley, emerging from Dana White's Contender Series, debuted the same night, outpointing Terrion Ware by unanimous decision and generating early buzz with his flashy striking and personality. Muslim Salikhov, a Russian welterweight with a sanda background, entered on November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 122, though he lost by second-round submission to Michel Prazeres; his technical skill set him apart as a unique addition. Additional notable debuts included Cynthia Calvillo, who went 3-0 in 2017 with quick finishes in women's strawweight, and Marlon Moraes, a bantamweight who debuted with a knockout win and earned Performance of the Night bonuses.[32][33][34][31] A notable trend among 2017 debuts was the growing international diversity, with fighters from countries like Switzerland, Russia, and Brazil comprising a significant portion of high-profile newcomers, reflecting the UFC's expanding global recruitment. Examples include Oezdemir, Magomedsharipov, and Costa, who brought distinct regional styles to the roster. Additionally, around 40 percent of these debuts stemmed from development pipelines like Dana White's Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, underscoring their role as key entry points for vetted talent.[35]Recognition and Awards
UFC.com Awards
In December 2017, UFC.com announced its end-of-year honors, recognizing standout performances through a combination of fan polls and editorial selections that highlighted key moments from the promotion's busiest year to date.[3] These awards encompassed categories such as Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year, Submission of the Year, and Upset of the Year, with voting processes integrated into UFC.com's interactive fan engagement features tied to major events like UFC 217.[36] The Fight of the Year went to Justin Gaethje versus Michael Johnson, which took place on July 7 at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale in Las Vegas, praised for its relentless pace and mutual warrior spirit that nearly saw both fighters finish the bout multiple times.[3] Knockout of the Year was awarded to Francis Ngannou's devastating uppercut against Alistair Overeem on December 2 at UFC 218 in Detroit, a strike that left the veteran Overeem unconscious and underscored Ngannou's emerging power in the heavyweight division.[37] Submission of the Year recognized Demetrious Johnson's innovative suplex-to-armbar transition over Ray Borg on October 7 at UFC 216 in Las Vegas, a technique that not only secured Johnson's record 11th flyweight title defense but also exemplified technical mastery.[38] Upset of the Year was Rose Namajunas's first-round knockout of strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk on November 4 at UFC 217 in New York, a shocking result that dethroned the dominant titleholder and overlapped with one of the year's most pivotal title fight outcomes.[36] Max Holloway earned Best Fighter honors after capturing the interim featherweight title in June and unifying it with a dominant performance later in the year, capping a breakout campaign with multiple victories over elite competition.[39] Additional recognitions included recaps of Performance of the Night bonuses, awarded monthly for exceptional individual efforts such as Ngannou's aforementioned knockout and other highlight-reel finishes that elevated event undercards throughout 2017.[37]Other Honors
In 2017, various media outlets recognized standout UFC performances through independent awards, highlighting achievements that captured widespread attention beyond official channels. ESPN named Rose Namajunas its MMA Fighter of the Year for her stunning knockout victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 217, securing the women's strawweight title in a historic upset.[40] The network also awarded Fight of the Year to Yancy Medeiros versus Alex Oliveira at UFC 218, a grueling welterweight clash that ended in a third-round TKO after five rounds of intense exchanges.[41] Additionally, ESPN selected Demetrious Johnson's armbar submission of Ray Borg at UFC 216 as Submission of the Year, part of Johnson's record-breaking 11th consecutive title defense.[41] Sports Illustrated honored Demetrious Johnson as its 2017 MMA Fighter of the Year, citing his two successful flyweight title defenses, including the innovative flying armbar against Borg that tied and then surpassed Anderson Silva's UFC record for most consecutive defenses.[42] The publication gave honorable mentions to Georges St-Pierre for his triumphant return at UFC 217, where he submitted Michael Bisping to claim the middleweight title after a four-year hiatus, and to Namajunas for her rapid title win.[42] MMA Junkie recognized Volkan Oezdemir as its 2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year, praising his rapid rise with three UFC wins, including knockouts of Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa, and a split decision over Ovince Saint Preux, culminating in a title shot opportunity.[30] Multiple outlets, including MMA Mania, also deemed UFC 217 the Event of the Year for its three title changes—by St-Pierre, Namajunas, and T.J. Dillashaw—setting a UFC record for most champions crowned in a single night.[43] Broader accolades in 2017 underscored significant milestones, such as Johnson's title defense record, which highlighted his dominance and technical innovation in the flyweight division.[7] Events like UFC 217 also drew praise for elevating the sport's profile, with nine finishes out of 11 bouts contributing to its status as a landmark card.[44]Competition Highlights
Title Fights
In 2017, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hosted 20 title fights across its major weight divisions, marking a year of significant shifts in the landscape of its championship landscape. These bouts, spanning from February to December, featured defenses, unifications, interim title creations, and inaugural championships, with outcomes that reshaped divisions and highlighted emerging talents alongside veteran resurgences. Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic solidified his reign with a first-round knockout over Junior dos Santos at UFC 211 on May 13, which extended his undefeated streak as champion and positioned him as a dominant force against top contenders.[45] The middleweight division saw dramatic turnover, with Georges St-Pierre's return after a four-year hiatus culminating in a third-round rear-naked choke submission over Bisping at UFC 217 on November 4, capturing the title and making St-Pierre the fourth fighter in UFC history to win championships in two weight classes, while also ending Bisping's two-year reign and opening pathways for interim contenders like Robert Whittaker. In the women's strawweight category, Joanna Jędrzejczyk defended her title against Jéssica Andrade via unanimous decision on May 13 at UFC 211, maintaining her status as the division's most dominant force with her fifth successful defense. However, Rose Namajunas delivered a stunning first-round knockout upset over Jędrzejczyk at UFC 217 on November 4, ending the Polish fighter's record-setting 2,060-day reign—the longest in UFC women's history—and establishing Namajunas as a new champion in one of the year's most impactful title changes.[46]| Division | Winner | Opponent | Method | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Featherweight (Inaugural) | Germaine de Randamie | Holly Holm | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 208 | February 11 |
| Welterweight | Tyron Woodley (c) | Stephen Thompson | Decision (Majority) | UFC 209 | March 4 |
| Light Heavyweight | Daniel Cormier (c) | Anthony Johnson | Submission (RNC) - R2 | UFC 210 | April 8 |
| Flyweight | Demetrious Johnson (c) | Wilson Reis | Submission (Armbar) - R3 | UFC on Fox 24 | April 15 |
| Heavyweight | Stipe Miocic (c) | Junior dos Santos | TKO (Punches) - R1 | UFC 211 | May 13 |
| Women's Strawweight | Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c) | Jéssica Andrade | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 211 | May 13 |
| Featherweight (Unification) | Max Holloway (ic) | José Aldo (c) | TKO (Punches) - R3 | UFC 212 | June 3 |
| Middleweight (Interim) | Robert Whittaker | Yoel Romero | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 213 | July 8 |
| Women's Featherweight | Cris Cyborg | Tonya Evinger | TKO (Knees) - R3 | UFC 214 | July 29 |
| Welterweight | Tyron Woodley (c) | Demian Maia | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 214 | July 29 |
| Light Heavyweight | Jon Jones | Daniel Cormier (c) | No Contest (overturned from KO/TKO (Punches) - R3) | UFC 214 | July 29 |
| Women's Bantamweight | Amanda Nunes (c) | Valentina Shevchenko | Decision (Split) | UFC 215 | September 9 |
| Flyweight | Demetrious Johnson (c) | Ray Borg | Submission (Arm-triangle Choke) - R5 | UFC 216 | October 7 |
| Lightweight (Interim) | Tony Ferguson | Kevin Lee | Submission (Triangle Choke) - R3 | UFC 216 | October 7 |
| Women's Strawweight | Rose Namajunas | Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c) | KO (Punches) - R1 | UFC 217 | November 4 |
| Bantamweight | T.J. Dillashaw | Cody Garbrandt (c) | KO (Punches) - R2 | UFC 217 | November 4 |
| Middleweight | Georges St-Pierre | Michael Bisping (c) | Technical Submission (RNC) - R3 | UFC 217 | November 4 |
| Women's Flyweight (Inaugural) | Nicco Montaño | Roxanne Modafferi | Decision (Unanimous) | TUF 26 Finale | December 1 |
| Featherweight | Max Holloway (c) | José Aldo | TKO (Punches) - R3 | UFC 218 | December 2 |
| Women's Featherweight | Cris Cyborg (c) | Holly Holm | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 219 | December 30 |
Events List
In 2017, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hosted 39 events worldwide, encompassing 12 pay-per-view (PPV) cards, numerous Fight Night events broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, and several on Fox or FX networks. These events spanned multiple continents, with key international stops in Mexico, Brazil, Australia, China, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom, highlighting the promotion's global expansion. Attendance figures varied, reflecting venue capacities and market demand, with a total announced live attendance of 453,333 across all events, generating over $44.7 million in live gates. The year's standout for pay-per-view buys was UFC 217, which exceeded 1.2 million purchases, driven by the high-profile main event return of Georges St-Pierre.[7] The table below details all 39 events, including dates, venues, locations, announced attendance (where officially reported by UFC), and main events.| Event | Date | Venue | Location | Attendance | Main Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn | January 15, 2017 | Arena Monterrey | Monterrey, Mexico | 6,264 | Yair Rodríguez vs. B.J. Penn |
| UFC 208: Holm vs. de Randamie | January 21, 2017 | Barclays Center | Brooklyn, New York, USA | 15,628 | Holly Holm vs. Germaine de Randamie[48] |
| UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thiago Santos | January 28, 2017 | Pepsi Center | Denver, Colorado, USA | 10,540 | Benson Henderson vs. Thiago Santos |
| UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov | February 4, 2017 | Times Union Center | Albany, New York, USA | 8,572 | Derrick Lewis vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov |
| UFC 209: Woodley vs. Thompson 2 | March 4, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 12,752 | Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson |
| UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum | March 11, 2017 | Centro de Formação Olímpica do Governo do Estado | Fortaleza, Brazil | 7,172 | Vitor Belfort vs. Kelvin Gastelum |
| UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 | April 8, 2017 | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, New York, USA | 17,110 | Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson[49] |
| UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 15, 2017 | T-Mobile Center | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 10,721 | Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis |
| UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov | April 22, 2017 | Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, Tennessee, USA | 8,117 | Cub Swanson vs. Artem Lobov |
| UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos 2 | May 13, 2017 | American Airlines Center | Dallas, Texas, USA | 17,834 | Stipe Miocic vs. Junior dos Santos[50] |
| UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira | May 28, 2017 | Ericsson Globe | Stockholm, Sweden | 18,208 | Alexander Gustafsson vs. Glover Teixeira |
| UFC 212: Aldo vs. Holloway | June 3, 2017 | Jeunesse Arena | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 11,425 | José Aldo vs. Max Holloway |
| UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt | June 10, 2017 | Vector Arena | Auckland, New Zealand | 8,315 | Derrick Lewis vs. Mark Hunt |
| UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia | June 17, 2017 | Singapore Indoor Stadium | Kallang, Singapore | 9,116 | Holly Holm vs. Bethe Correia |
| UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee | June 25, 2017 | Chesapeake Energy Arena | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA | 7,106 | Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Lee |
| UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker | July 8, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 12,152 | Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whittaker |
| UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio | July 16, 2017 | SSE Hydro | Glasgow, Scotland, UK | 11,125 | Gunnar Nelson vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio |
| UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum | July 22, 2017 | Nassau Coliseum | Uniondale, New York, USA | 10,965 | Chris Weidman vs. Kelvin Gastelum |
| UFC 214: Cormier vs. Jones 2 | July 29, 2017 | Honda Center | Anaheim, California, USA | 18,836 | Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones |
| UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno | August 5, 2017 | Arena CDMX | Mexico City, Mexico | 14,782 | Sergio Pettis vs. Brandon Moreno |
| UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve | September 2, 2017 | Rotterdam Ahoy | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 12,500 | Alexander Volkov vs. Stefan Struve |
| UFC 215: Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2 | September 9, 2017 | Rogers Place | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 16,232 | Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko[51] |
| UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch | September 16, 2017 | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA | 7,005 | Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch |
| UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami | September 22, 2017 | Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan | 14,949 | Ovince Saint Preux vs. Yushin Okami |
| UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee | October 7, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 12,045 | Tony Ferguson vs. Kevin Lee |
| UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Till | October 21, 2017 | Ergo Arena | Gdańsk, Poland | 11,548 | Donald Cerrone vs. Darren Till |
| UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida | October 28, 2017 | Ginásio do Ibirapuera | São Paulo, Brazil | 10,965 | Derek Brunson vs. Lyoto Machida |
| UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre | November 4, 2017 | Madison Square Garden | New York City, New York, USA | 18,201 | Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre[7] |
| UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis | November 11, 2017 | Chartway Arena | Norfolk, Virginia, USA | 8,897 | Dustin Poirier vs. Anthony Pettis |
| UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura | November 18, 2017 | Qudos Bank Arena | Sydney, Australia | 12,210 | Fabricio Werdum vs. Marcin Tybura |
| UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum | November 25, 2017 | Mercedes-Benz Arena | Shanghai, China | 15,128 | Michael Bisping vs. Kelvin Gastelum[52] |
| The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale: Gaethje vs. MacDonald | December 1, 2017 | Park Theater | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 2,629 | Justin Gaethje vs. Rory MacDonald |
| UFC 218: Holloway vs. Aldo 2 | December 2, 2017 | Little Caesars Arena | Detroit, Michigan, USA | 17,587 | Max Holloway vs. José Aldo[53] |
| UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | December 9, 2017 | Save Mart Center | Fresno, California, USA | 7,558 | Cub Swanson vs. Brian Ortega |
| UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos | December 16, 2017 | Bell MTS Place | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | 9,241 | Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos |
| UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm | December 30, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 13,561 | Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm |