2018 in UFC
2018 in UFC
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2018 in UFC

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Information
First dateJanuary 14
Last dateDecember 29
Events
Total events39
UFC13
UFC on Fox5
TUF Finale events2
Fights
Total fights473
Title fights18
Chronology
2017 in UFC 2018 in UFC 2019 in UFC

The year 2018 was the 26th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States and founded in November 1993. This year, the UFC celebrated its 25th anniversary, and an anniversary event was held on November 10, 2018 in Denver, Colorado, the city where the historical UFC 1 was held.[1]

2018 UFC.com awards

[edit]
2018 UFC.COM Awards
No Best Fighter The

Upsets

The

Submissions

The Newcomers The

Knockouts

The

Fights

1 Daniel Cormier Alexander Hernandez
defeats
Beneil Dariush
UFC 222 		Ryan Hall
defeats
B.J. Penn
UFC 232 		Israel Adesanya Yair Rodríguez
defeats
The Korean Zombie
UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez 		Robert Whittaker
defeats
Yoel Romero 2
UFC 235
2 Amanda Nunes Chris Gruetzemacher
defeats
Joe Lauzon
UFC 223 		Paul Craig
defeats
Magomed Ankalaev
UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov 		Alexander Hernandez Brian Ortega
defeats
Frankie Edgar
UFC 222 		Dustin Poirier
defeats
Justin Gaethje 1
UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje
3 Khabib Nurmagomedov Jared Cannonier
defeats
David Branch
UFC 230 		Aljamain Sterling defeats Cody Stamann UFC 228 (Tie)
Zabit Magomedsharipov defeats Brandon Davis UFC 228 (Tie) 		Mackenzie Dern Lyoto Machida
defeats
Vitor Belfort
UFC 224 		Yair Rodríguez
defeats
The Korean Zombie
UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez
4 Henry Cejudo Henry Cejudo
defeats
Demetrious Johnson 2
UFC 227 		Aleksei Oleinik
defeats
Júnior Albini
UFC 224 		Maycee Barber Amanda Nunes
defeats
Cris Cyborg
UFC 232 		Max Holloway
defeats
Brian Ortega
UFC 231
5 Valentina Shevchenko Sergio Pettis
defeats
Joseph Benavidez
UFC 225 		Charles Oliveira
defeats
Christos Giagos
UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders 		Sodiq Yusuff (Tie)
Petr Yan (Tie) 		Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
defeats
Sean Strickland
UFC 224 		Tony Ferguson
defeats
Anthony Pettis
UFC 229
6 Anthony Smith Corey Anderson
defeats
Glover Teixeira
UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith 		Adam Wieczorek
defeats
Arjan Bhullar
UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje 		Brad Katona Yoel Romero
defeats
Luke Rockhold
UFC 221 		Ronaldo Souza
defeats
Chris Weidman
UFC 230
7 Israel Adesanya Khalil Rountree Jr.
defeats
Gökhan Saki
UFC 226 		Ilir Latifi
defeats
Ovince Saint Preux
UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens 		Zhang Weili Jéssica Andrade
defeats
Karolina Kowalkiewicz
UFC 228 		Thiago Santos
defeats
Jimi Manuwa
UFC 231
8 Ronaldo Souza Brian Kelleher
defeats
Renan Barão
UFC 222 		Claudio Puelles
defeats
Felipe Silva
UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman 		Johnny Walker Daniel Cormier
defeats
Stipe Miocic 1
UFC 226 		Calvin Kattar
defeats
Shane Burgos
UFC 220
9 Dustin Poirier Nina Ansaroff
defeats
Cláudia Gadelha
UFC 231 		Darren Elkins
defeats
Michael Johnson
UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi 		Raoni Barcelos Ismael Bonfim
defeats
Terrance McKinney
UFC 283 		Drew Dober
defeats
Frank Camacho
UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2
10 Corey Anderson (Tie)
Thiago Santos (Tie)
Kamaru Usman (Tie) 		Cody Stamann
defeats
Bryan Caraway
UFC 222 		Donald Cerrone
defeats
Mike Perry
UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez 		Sijara Eubanks Derrick Lewis
defeats
Alexander Volkov
UFC 229 		Zabit Magomedsharipov
defeats
Kyle Bochniak
UFC 223
Ref [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

2018 by the numbers

[edit]

The numbers below records the events, fights, techniques, champions and fighters held or performed for the year of 2018 in UFC.[8]

Events
Number of Events PPV Continents Countries Cities Fight Night Bonuses
39 13 5 11 35 156
Total $7,800,000
Longest Event Shortest Event Highest Income

Live Gate

Lowest Income

Live Gate

Highest

Attendance

Lowest

Attendance

The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale

2:46:20

UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros

1:37:45

UFC 229

$17,200,000

The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale

$204,600

UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik

22,603

The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale

2,020

Title Fights
Undisputed

Title Fights

Title Changes Champions Remained

in Their Divisions

Number of

Champions

Number of

Interim Champions

Number of

Title Defenses

16 3 6
BW – T.J. Dillashaw
FW – Max Holloway
WW – Tyron Woodley
MW – Robert Whittaker
WSW – Rose Namajunas
WBW – Amanda Nunes 		13 2 10
Champions
Division Beginning of The Year End of The Year Division Beginning of The Year End of The Year
Heavyweight Stipe Miocic Daniel Cormier Bantamweight T.J. Dillashaw T.J. Dillashaw
Light Heavyweight Daniel Cormier Jon Jones Flyweight Demetrious Johnson Henry Cejudo
Middleweight Robert Whittaker Robert Whittaker Women's Bantamweight Amanda Nunes Amanda Nunes
Welterweight Tyron Woodley Tyron Woodley Women's Flyweight Nicco Montaño Valentina Shevchenko
Lightweight Conor McGregor Khabib Nurmagomedov Women's Strawweight Rose Namajunas Rose Namajunas
Featherweight Max Holloway Max Holloway Women's Featherweight Cris Cyborg Amanda Nunes
Fights
Most Knockouts

at A Single Event

Most submissions

at A Single Event

Most Decisions

at A Single Event

Total Number

of Fights

Total Number

of Cage Time

UFC 229

7

UFC 224
The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale

5

UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith

10

474 87:21:11
Fighters
Number of

Fighters

UFC

Debutants

Releases /

Retired

Fighters

Suspended

Number of Fighters

Missed weight

(At the end of Dec 31, 2018)
573 		121 N/A N/A 29
Champion feats[8]
  • Stipe Miocic became the first heavyweight to defend his title three consecutive times.
  • Henry Cejudo became the first Olympic gold medalist to win a UFC championship.
  • Daniel Cormier became the first fighter to make a successful title defense in two different weight divisions
Fighter feats[8]
  • Leon Edwards' knockout at 4:59 of the third round set a record for the latest knockout in a three-round UFC bout.
  • Corey Anderson's 12 takedowns landed at UFC Fight Night 128 set a new record for the most landed in a UFC light heavyweight bout.
  • Ricky Simon's submission victory at the 5:00 mark of round three set a new record for the latest finish in a UFC three-round bout.
  • Lyoto Machida became the first fighter to have two knockout victories from a front kick to the head.
  • Anthony Pettis' seven submission victories from the bottom position are the most in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce combined company history.
  • Paulo Costa became the first middleweight to start his UFC career with four consecutive knockout victories.
  • Charles Oliveira became the UFC's all‑time submission leader by securing his eleventh submission victory.
  • Gian Villante became the first and only UFC fighter to have four consecutive split decision bouts.
  • Donald Cerrone became the UFC's all‑time wins leader with his 21st victory, a mark later surpassed by Jim Miller, the current record holder.
  • Max Holloway set a new UFC record at UFC 231 by landing 290 significant strikes, including 134 in Round 4 — a mark he later surpassed in January 2021.
  • Edson Barboza became the first fighter to record knockout wins with five different techniques: head kick, body punch, body kick, leg kicks, and a flying knee.

Title fights

[edit]
Title fights in 2018
Weight class Method Round Time Event Notes
Light Heavyweight Daniel Cormier (c) def. Volkan Oezdemir TKO (punches) 2 2:00 UFC 220 [a]
Heavyweight Stipe Miocic (c) def. Francis Ngannou Decision (unanimous) (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) 5 5:00 UFC 220 [b]
Middleweight Yoel Romero def. Luke Rockhold KO (punches) 3 1:48 UFC 221 [c]
Women's Featherweight Cris Cyborg (c) def Yana Kunitskaya TKO (punches) 1 3:25 UFC 222 [d]
Women's Strawweight Rose Namajunas (c) def Joanna Jędrzejczyk Decision (unanimous) (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) 5 5:00 UFC 223 [e]
Lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov def Al Iaquinta Decision (unanimous) (50-44, 50-43, 50-43) 5 5:00 UFC 223 [f]
Women's Bantamweight Amanda Nunes (c) def. Raquel Pennington TKO (punches) 5 2:36 UFC 224 [g]
Welterweight Colby Covington def. Rafael dos Anjos Decision (unanimous) (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) 5 5:00 UFC 225 [h]
Heavyweight Daniel Cormier def. Stipe Miocic (c) KO (punches) 1 4:33 UFC 226 [i]
Flyweight Henry Cejudo def. Demetrious Johnson (c) Decision (split) (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) 5 5:00 UFC 227 [j]
Bantamweight T.J. Dillashaw (c) def. Cody Garbrandt TKO (knee and punches) 1 4:17 UFC 227 [k]
Welterweight Tyron Woodley (c) def. Darren Till Submission (D'Arce choke) 2 4:19 UFC 228 [l]
Lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) def. Conor McGregor Submission (neck crank) 4 3:03 UFC 229 [m]
Heavyweight Daniel Cormier (c) def. Derrick Lewis Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:14 UFC 230 [n]
Women's Flyweight Valentina Shevchenko def. Joanna Jędrzejczyk Decision (unanimous) (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) 5 5:00 UFC 231 [o]
Featherweight Max Holloway (c) def. Brian Ortega TKO (doctor stoppage) 4 5:00 UFC 231 [p]
Women's Featherweight Amanda Nunes def. Cris Cyborg (c) KO (punch) 1 0:51 UFC 232 [q]
Light Heavyweight Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson TKO (punches) 3 2:02 UFC 232 [r]
  1. ^ For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
  2. ^ For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
  3. ^ For the interim UFC Middleweight Championship (as Romero missed weight, only Rockhold was eligible).
  4. ^ For the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship.
  5. ^ For the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.
  6. ^ For the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship.
  7. ^ For the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
  8. ^ For the interim UFC Welterweight Championship.
  9. ^ For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
  10. ^ For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
  11. ^ For the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
  12. ^ For the UFC Welterweight Championship.
  13. ^ For the UFC Lightweight Championship.
  14. ^ For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
  15. ^ For the vacant UFC Women's Flyweight Championship.
  16. ^ For the UFC Featherweight Championship.
  17. ^ For the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
  18. ^ For the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

The Ultimate Fighter

[edit]

The following The Ultimate Fighter seasons are scheduled for broadcast in 2018:

Season Finale Division Winner Runner-up Ref
TUF 27: Undefeated July 6, 2018 Lightweight Mike Trizano Joe Giannetti [9]
Featherweight Brad Katona Jay Cucciniello [9]
TUF 28: Heavy Hitters November 30, 2018 Heavyweight Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa Justin Frazier [10]
Women's Featherweight Macy Chiasson Pannie Kianzad [11]

Debut UFC fighters

[edit]

The following fighters fought their first UFC fight in 2018:

Month Day ISO Fighter Division Event
January 14 United States Matt Frevola Lightweight UFC Fight Night 124
20 United States Brandon Davis Featherweight UFC 220
United States Dan Ige Featherweight
United States Julio Arce Featherweight
United States Matt Bessette Featherweight
27 United States Austin Arnett Featherweight UFC on Fox 27
United States Cory Sandhagen Bantamweight
February 3 United States Maia Stevenson Women's Strawweight UFC Fight Night 125
Brazil Polyana Viana Women's Strawweight
Brazil Priscila Cachoeira Women's Flyweight
11 Nigeria Israel Adesanya Middleweight UFC 221
18 United States Curtis Millender Welterweight UFC Fight Night 126
United States Geoff Neal Welterweight
United States Steven Peterson Featherweight
United States Tim Williams Middleweight
24 United States Manny Bermudez Bantamweight UFC on Fox 28
Poland Marcin Prachnio Light Heavyweight
March 3 United States Alexander Hernandez Lightweight UFC 222
United States Mackenzie Dern Women's Strawweight
Russia Yana Kunitskaya Women's Featherweight
17 United States Charles Byrd Middleweight UFC Fight Night 127
Canada Hakeem Dawodu Featherweight
Wales John Phillips Middleweight
Russia Dmitriy Sosnovskiy Heavyweight
Russia Magomed Ankalaev Light Heavyweight
April 7 United States Mike Rodriguez Light Heavyweight UFC 223
14 United States Dan Moret Lightweight UFC on Fox 29
United States Lauren Mueller Women's Flyweight
21 United States Ricky Simón Bantamweight UFC Fight Night 128
United States Ricky Rainey Welterweight
May 19 United States Andrea Lee Women's Flyweight UFC Fight Night 129
27 Italy Carlo Pedersoli Jr. Welterweight UFC Fight Night 130
England Craig White Welterweight
England Molly McCann Women's Flyweight
United States Ricky Rainey Welterweight
June 1 United States Chance Rencountre Welterweight UFC Fight Night 131
United States Jose Torres Flyweight
England Nathaniel Wood Bantamweight
United States Sijara Eubanks Women's Flyweight
9 Australia Megan Anderson Women's Featherweight UFC 225
United States Mike Jackson Welterweight
23 Mexico Hector Aldana Welterweight UFC Fight Night 132
Russia Petr Yan Bantamweight
July 6 Costa Rica Allan Zuñiga Lightweight TUF 27 Finale
Canada Brad Katona Bantamweight
United States Bryce Mitchell Featherweight
England Jay Cucciniello Featherweight
United States Joe Giannetti Lightweight
United States John Gunther Lightweight
United States Luis Peña Lightweight
Republic of Ireland Richie Smullen Lightweight
United States Michael Trizano Lightweight
United States Tyler Diamond Featherweight
14 Bulgaria Blagoy Ivanov Heavyweight UFC Fight Night 133
United States Elias Garcia Flyweight
Brazil Jennifer Maia Women's Flyweight
Brazil Raoni Barcelos Bantamweight
Russia Said Nurmagomedov Bantamweight
22 Morocco Abu Azaitar Middleweight UFC Fight Night 134
Serbia Darko Stošić Light Heavyweight
Germany David Zawada Welterweight
Germany Khalid Taha Bantamweight
China Liu Pingyuan Bantamweight
England Nad Narimani Featherweight
Serbia Stefan Sekulić Welterweight
August 4 United States Kevin Holland Middleweight UFC 227
United States Matt Sayles Featherweight
United States Montel Jackson Bantamweight
China Zhang Weili Women's Strawweight
September 15 Russia Adam Yandiev Middleweight UFC Fight Night 136
Russia Alexey Kunchenko Welterweight
South Korea Jin Soo Son Bantamweight
Russia Khalid Murtazaliev Middleweight
22 United States Andre Ewell Bantamweight UFC Fight Night 137
Brazil Augusto Sakai Heavyweight
United States Christos Giagos Lightweight
Brazil Livia Renata Souza Women's Strawweight
Brazil Luigi Vendramini Lightweight
Brazil Mayra Bueno Silva Women's Bantamweight
United States Mike Rodríguez Light Heavyweight
United States Ryan Spann Light Heavyweight
October 6 United States Jalin Turner Lightweight UFC 229
27 England Chris Fishgold Featherweight UFC Fight Night 138
South Africa Don Madge Lightweight
United States Jonathan Martinez Bantamweight
United States Te'Jovan Edwards Lightweight
November 10 United States Bobby Moffett Featherweight UFC Fight Night 139
United States Devonte Smith Lightweight
United States Hannah Cifers Women's Strawweight
United States Maycee Barber Women's Flyweight
Brazil Thiago Moisés Lightweight
17 Brazil Anderson dos Santos Bantamweight UFC Fight Night 140
United States Ian Heinisch Middleweight
Peru Jesus Pinedo Featherweight
Brazil Johnny Walker Light Heavyweight
Argentina Laureano Staropoli Welterweight
30 Kyrgyzstan Antonina Shevchenko Women's Flyweight TUF 28 Finale
United States Chris Gutiérrez Bantamweight
United States Edmen Shahbazyan Middleweight
Spain Juan Espino Heavyweight
Lithuania Julija Stoliarenko Women's Bantamweight
United States Justin Frazier Heavyweight
United States Kevin Aguilar Featherweight
United States Leah Letson Women's Featherweight
United States Macy Chiasson Women's Bantamweight
United States Maurice Greene Heavyweight
Cuba Michel Batista Heavyweight
Sweden Pannie Kianzad Women's Bantamweight
United States Roosevelt Roberts Lightweight
December 2 Australia Alex Gorgees Lightweight UFC Fight Night 142
Kazakhstan Damir Ismagulov Lightweight
Australia Jimmy Crute Light Heavyweight
New Zealand Kai Kara-France Flyweight
Nigeria Sodiq Yusuff Featherweight
Australia Suman Mokhtarian Featherweight
8 Canada Kyle Nelson Featherweight UFC 231
15 United States Dwight Grant Welterweight UFC on Fox 31
United States Jordan Griffin Featherweight
United States Juan Adams Heavyweight
29 United States Bevon Lewis Middleweight UFC 232

Events list

[edit]
Main article: List of UFC events
# Event Date Venue Location Attendance Ref.
463 UFC 232: Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 December 29, 2018 The Forum Inglewood, California, U.S. 15,862 [12]
462 UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 December 15, 2018 Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. 9,010 [13]
461 UFC 231: Holloway vs. Ortega December 8, 2018 Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario, Canada 19,039 [14]
460 UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa December 2, 2018 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 8,652 [15]
459 The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale November 30, 2018 Pearl Theatre Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. 2,020 [16]
458 UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 November 25, 2018 Cadillac Arena Beijing, China 10,302 [17]
457 UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio November 17, 2018 Estadio Luna Park Buenos Aires, Argentina 10,245 [18]
456 UFC Fight Night: Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez November 10, 2018 Pepsi Center Denver, Colorado, U.S. 11,426 [19]
455 UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis November 3, 2018 Madison Square Garden New York City, New York, U.S. 17,011 [20]
454 UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith October 27, 2018 Avenir Centre Moncton, New Brunswick 6,282 [21]
453 UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor October 6, 2018 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. 20,034 [22]
452 UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders September 22, 2018 Ginásio do Ibirapuera São Paulo, Brazil 9,485 [23]
451 UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oliynyk September 15, 2018 Olimpiyskiy Arena Moscow, Russia 22,603 [24]
450 UFC 228: Woodley vs. Till September 8, 2018 American Airlines Arena Dallas, Texas, U.S 14,073 [25]
449 UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 Pinnacle Bank Arena Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. 6,409 [26]
448 UFC 227: Dillashaw vs. Garbrandt 2 August 4, 2018 Staples Center Los Angeles, California, U.S. 17,794 [27]
447 UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 July 28, 2018 Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Alberta, Canada 10,603 [28]
446 UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith July 22, 2018 Barclaycard Arena Hamburg, Germany 7,798 [29]
445 UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov July 14, 2018 CenturyLink Arena Boise, Idaho U.S. 5,648 [30]
444 UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier July 7, 2018 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. 17,464 [31]
443 The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale July 6, 2018 Pearl Theater Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. 2,123 [32]
442 UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards June 23, 2018 Singapore Indoor Stadium Kallang, Singapore 6,419 [33]
441 UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2 June 9, 2018 United Center Chicago, Illinois, U.S. 18,117 [34]
440 UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes June 1, 2018 Adirondack Bank Center Utica, New York, U.S. 5,063 [35]
439 UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till May 27, 2018 Echo Arena Liverpool, England, U.K. 8,520 [36]
438 UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman May 19, 2018 Movistar Arena Santiago, Chile 11,082 [37]
437 UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington May 12, 2018 Jeunesse Arena Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 10,696 [38]
436 UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee April 21, 2018 Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. 9,541 [39]
435 UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje April 14, 2018 Gila River Arena Glendale, Arizona, U.S. 11,382 [40]
434 UFC 223: Khabib vs. Iaquinta April 7, 2018 Barclays Center Brooklyn, New York, U.S. 17,026 [41]
433 UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov March 17, 2018 The O2 Arena London, England, U.K. 16,274 [42]
432 UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya March 3, 2018 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. 12,041 [43]
431 UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens February 24, 2018 Amway Center Orlando, Florida, U.S. 10,124 [44]
430 UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros February 18, 2018 Frank Erwin Center Austin, Texas, U.S. 10,502 [45]
429 UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold February 11, 2018 Perth Arena Perth, Western Australia, Australia 12,437 [46]
428 UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders February 3, 2018 Arena Guilherme Paraense Belém, Brazil 10,144 [47]
427 UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 2018 Spectrum Center Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. 10,249 [48]
426 UFC 220: Miocic vs. Ngannou January 20, 2018 TD Garden Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. 16,015 [49]
425 UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi January 14, 2018 Scottrade Center St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. 10,052 [50]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2018 in UFC

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
2018 marked the 26th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a premier mixed martial arts promotion, during which it hosted 39 events spanning 15 U.S. states and 11 countries worldwide.[1] The year was defined by significant title transitions, the introduction of high-profile rivalries, and the continued growth of the organization, including the announcement of a landmark broadcasting deal with ESPN set to begin in 2019.[2] Key highlights included Daniel Cormier's ascent to two-division champion status and the explosive clash between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, which drew massive global attention and post-fight controversy.[2] Several championship bouts reshaped the UFC landscape in 2018. In April at UFC 223, Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed the vacant lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Al Iaquinta, solidifying his undefeated record.[2] Cormier captured the heavyweight crown in July at UFC 226 by knocking out defending champion Stipe Miocic in the first round, making him the promotion's third simultaneous two-division champion.[2] August's UFC 227 saw Henry Cejudo dethrone long-reigning flyweight king Demetrious Johnson via split decision upset, ending Johnson's 11-fight title defense streak.[2] The year closed dramatically at UFC 232 in December, where Amanda Nunes unified the women's bantamweight and featherweight titles with a record 51-second knockout of Cris Cyborg.[2] Beyond titles, 2018 featured marquee non-title fights that captivated fans, such as the rematch between middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero at UFC 225, widely regarded as the Fight of the Year for its intense five-round battle won by Whittaker via split decision.[2] The most anticipated event, UFC 229 in October, saw Nurmagomedov submit McGregor in the fourth round to retain his lightweight belt, but the victory was overshadowed by a post-fight brawl involving Nurmagomedov's team, leading to suspensions and fines for both fighters.[2] The UFC also inducted its 2018 Hall of Fame class, honoring pioneers like Ronda Rousey, Matt Serra, and Dan Severn, recognizing their foundational contributions to the sport.[2]

Overview

Key Statistics and Milestones

In 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) organized 39 events worldwide, comprising 12 pay-per-view (PPV) spectacles and 27 Fight Night cards, marking a continuation of its robust scheduling from the previous year. These events encompassed a total of 474 bouts, including 18 championship contests that highlighted the promotion's competitive depth across its divisions. This volume of activity underscored the UFC's operational scale, with fights distributed across various weight classes and formats to engage a global audience.[3][1][4] A significant organizational milestone occurred on May 23, 2018, when the UFC announced a landmark five-year broadcasting agreement with ESPN valued at $1.5 billion, set to commence in 2019 and encompassing exclusive rights to 42 annual live events. This deal influenced 2018's promotional strategies and event planning, as the UFC prepared for enhanced visibility on ESPN platforms, including linear television and the ESPN+ streaming service. The partnership represented a pivotal shift in media distribution, bolstering the promotion's financial stability and content reach.[5] The year also featured the UFC's 25th anniversary celebration on November 10, 2018, during UFC Fight Night 139 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, where the event included special programming, historical retrospectives, and tributes to the promotion's legacy since its inception in 1993. This commemoration highlighted the UFC's evolution from a niche tournament to a premier combat sports entity. Complementing this, the UFC expanded internationally by hosting events in 11 countries across five continents, with major international cards drawing average attendances exceeding 10,000 spectators, reflecting growing global interest in mixed martial arts.[6][3]

Anniversary Celebrations

In 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship marked its 25th anniversary with a series of commemorative activities that highlighted the promotion's evolution since its inaugural event in 1993. The centerpiece was UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez, held on November 10 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, drawing an announced attendance of 11,426. This location was symbolically significant, as Denver hosted UFC 1 exactly 25 years earlier, and the event featured special video packages recapping key moments in UFC's history, from its no-holds-barred origins to its status as a regulated global sport.[7] Complementing the live event, UFC released the "UFC 25 Years in Short" docuseries exclusively on UFC Fight Pass starting in late 2018, consisting of 25 short films—one for each year of the promotion's existence. The series included interviews with founders such as Art Davie, who conceptualized the octagon, and early fighters, providing insights into pivotal developments like the adoption of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts in 2001 under new ownership. These tributes underscored UFC's transformation from a single experimental tournament in 1993 to a powerhouse hosting 39 events worldwide in 2018 alone.[8][1] Promotional efforts extended to limited-edition merchandise, including anniversary-logo apparel, commemorative programs sold at live events, and special bobbleheads featuring the iconic Ulti-Man character. The 2018 UFC Hall of Fame inductions, held on July 5 in Las Vegas, served as nods to past champions and contributors, honoring figures like Ronda Rousey and Matt Serra alongside pioneer Art Davie, tying directly into the anniversary narrative. Anniversary themes were integrated across multiple pay-per-views, such as through the use of the silver-anniversary logo on broadcasts and event branding for UFC 230 on November 3. Reflections in these celebrations also highlighted regulatory milestones, including the hiring of Marc Ratner in 2006 to advocate for sanctioning, culminating in MMA's legalization in all 50 U.S. states by 2016.[9][10][11][12]

Awards and Recognitions

UFC.com Awards

The UFC.com Awards for 2018, determined through fan voting on UFC.com and social media platforms, honored outstanding individual performances and moments from the year. These awards highlighted fighters and fights that captured the attention of the global fanbase, with categories focusing on overall excellence, breakthroughs, and highlight-reel finishes. Daniel Cormier was named Fighter of the Year for his dominant 3-0 record, which included a first-round knockout of Stipe Miocic to claim the heavyweight title at UFC 226, making him the promotion's second simultaneous two-division champion, and a third-round submission defense of his light heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230.[13][14] Amanda Nunes earned Women's Fighter of the Year honors for her 2-0 campaign, featuring a fifth-round TKO title defense against Raquel Pennington at UFC 224 and a 51-second knockout of Cris Cyborg to capture the women's featherweight title at UFC 232, solidifying her status as a dominant force across divisions.[14] Israel Adesanya received Newcomer of the Year for going 4-0 in the UFC with three stoppages, including a second-round TKO over Marvin Vettori at UFC Fight Night 131 and a second-round TKO against Anderson Silva at UFC 234, showcasing his striking prowess and rising star potential.[15] The Knockout of the Year went to Yair Rodriguez's fifth-round KO of Chan Sung Jung at UFC Fight Night 139, via a stunning elbow strike with one second remaining that ended the fight dramatically.[16] Ryan Hall's first-round heel hook submission of B.J. Penn at UFC Fight Night 143 claimed Submission of the Year, marking a historic finish against the UFC legend and highlighting Hall's grappling expertise.[17] Alexander Hernandez's first-round knockout upset over Beneil Dariush at UFC 222 earned Upset of the Year, as the debuting Hernandez stunned the veteran with a massive right hand just 42 seconds in, marking one of the year's most shocking outcomes.[18]
CategoryWinner(s)Key Details
Fighter of the YearDaniel CormierHeavyweight title win and light heavyweight defense
Women's Fighter of the YearAmanda NunesBantamweight defense and featherweight title capture
Newcomer of the YearIsrael Adesanya4-0 record with multiple stoppages
Knockout of the YearYair Rodriguez vs. Chan Sung JungFifth-round KO via elbow at UFC Fight Night 139
Submission of the YearRyan Hall vs. B.J. PennHeel hook at UFC Fight Night 143
Upset of the YearAlexander Hernandez vs. Beneil DariushFirst-round KO at UFC 222
Fans participated in polls across UFC.com and Twitter to select winners in these categories, with results announced in early 2019 via official UFC channels, emphasizing community-driven recognition of the year's highlights.[13]

Other Notable Recognitions

In 2019, Daniel Cormier received the inaugural ESPY Award for Best MMA Fighter, recognizing his dominant 2018 performances that included three title defenses across two weight classes.[19] At the 2018 World MMA Awards, Rose Namajunas was honored as Female Fighter of the Year for her successful title defenses in the UFC strawweight division.[20] Robert Whittaker claimed the International Fighter of the Year award that year.[20] Conor McGregor was named one of the 50 Most Marketable athletes of 2018 by SportsPro Media, highlighting his global influence amid ongoing legal and in-cage controversies.[21] Amanda Nunes earned CBS Sports' UFC Fighter of the Year accolade for 2018, edging out Daniel Cormier after knocking out Cris Cyborg to claim the women's featherweight title.[22] UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor was selected as MMA Junkie's Event of the Year for 2018, driven by its record-breaking 2.4 million pay-per-view buys and the intense lightweight title clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor.[23] Some recipients of these external honors, such as Cormier and Nunes, also overlapped with winners in the UFC.com fan-voted awards.

Championships

Title Fights Summary

In 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship hosted 16 title fights across its events, marked by 10 successful defenses and 6 instances where new champions were crowned, reflecting a dynamic year for the promotion's divisions. These bouts spanned heavyweight to women's strawweight, often headlining major pay-per-view cards and influencing divisional landscapes through high-stakes matchups. One of the year's most prominent contests was the lightweight title defense at UFC 229 on October 6, where undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Conor McGregor in the fourth round, capturing global headlines not only for the in-cage victory but also the ensuing melee outside the Octagon. Interim and unification opportunities added layers of intrigue, such as Rose Namajunas retaining her strawweight crown against Joanna Jędrzejczyk via unanimous decision at UFC 223 on April 7, solidifying her status post an upset win the prior year, and Tyron Woodley defending the welterweight belt against Darren Till by split decision at UFC 228 on September 8, maintaining his reign amid rising challengers. Additionally, Daniel Cormier achieved dual-champion status at UFC 226 on July 7 by knocking out heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic in the first round, unifying his light heavyweight expertise with the heavier division's crown. The following provides a chronological summary of all title fights, highlighting outcomes and key contexts like defenses, vacancies, or interim status.
EventDateDivisionMain Event FightersOutcomeKey Stakes
UFC 220January 20HeavyweightStipe Miocic (c) vs. Francis NgannouMiocic def. Ngannou via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)Title defense; Miocic's third straight retention amid Ngannou's knockout threat.
UFC 221February 11Middleweight (Interim)Yoel Romero vs. Luke RockholdRomero def. Rockhold via TKO (punches) at 3:02 of Round 3Interim title bout due to champion Robert Whittaker's injury; Romero earns shot at unification.
UFC 222March 3Women's FeatherweightCris Cyborg (c) vs. Yana KunitskayaCyborg def. Kunitskaya via unanimous decision (49-46 x3)Title defense; Cyborg's first UFC featherweight retention against undefeated challenger.
UFC 223April 7StrawweightRose Namajunas (c) vs. Joanna JędrzejczykNamajunas def. Jędrzejczyk via unanimous decision (48-47 x3)Title defense (rematch); Namajunas avenges prior loss setup, retains amid chaotic card changes.
UFC 223April 7Lightweight (Vacant)Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Al IaquintaNurmagomedov def. Iaquinta via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)Vacant title; Conor McGregor's inactivity vacated belt, crowning Nurmagomedov undefeated champ.
UFC 224May 12Women's BantamweightAmanda Nunes (c) vs. Raquel PenningtonNunes def. Pennington via TKO (elbows) at 3:26 of Round 5Title defense; Nunes ends bout early in rematch attempt, extends dominant run.
UFC 225June 9MiddleweightRobert Whittaker (c) vs. Yoel Romero (interim c)Whittaker def. Romero via split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)Title unification; Whittaker overcomes interim champ in grueling five-round war.
UFC 226July 7HeavyweightStipe Miocic (c) vs. Daniel CormierCormier def. Miocic via KO (punches) at 4:23 of Round 1Title change; Cormier, light heavyweight champ, becomes double champion in superfight.
UFC 227August 4BantamweightT.J. Dillashaw (c) vs. Cody GarbrandtDillashaw def. Garbrandt via TKO (punches) at 4:10 of Round 1Title defense (rematch); Dillashaw dominates rematch early.
UFC 227August 4FlyweightDemetrious Johnson (c) vs. Henry CejudoCejudo def. Johnson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)Title change; Cejudo dethrones Johnson in upset split decision, ending 11 defenses.
UFC 228September 8WelterweightTyron Woodley (c) vs. Darren TillWoodley def. Till via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)Title defense; Woodley weathers late pressure from unbeaten UK prospect.
UFC 229October 6LightweightKhabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Conor McGregorNurmagomedov def. McGregor via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:03 of Round 4Title defense; High-profile grudge match boosts pay-per-view records.
UFC 230November 3HeavyweightDaniel Cormier (c) vs. Derrick LewisCormier def. Lewis via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:14 of Round 2Title defense; Cormier submits Lewis early at Madison Square Garden.
UFC 231December 8FeatherweightMax Holloway (c) vs. Brian OrtegaHolloway def. Ortega via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:21 of Round 4Title defense; Holloway overcomes early adversity before injury halts bout.
UFC 232December 29Women's FeatherweightAmanda Nunes vs. Cris Cyborg (c)Nunes def. Cyborg via KO (punches) at 0:51 of Round 1Title change; Nunes dethrones long-reigning champ in 51 seconds.
UFC 232December 29Light Heavyweight (Vacant)Jon Jones vs. Alexander GustafssonJones def. Gustafsson via unanimous decision (49-46 x3)Vacant title; Jones reclaims throne after Daniel Cormier's vacating for heavyweight focus (rematch from 2013).

Champion Changes by Division

In 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship experienced notable shifts in its championship landscape across multiple weight classes, with six divisions seeing new titleholders through victories in title bouts or vacancies due to inactivity, injuries, or strategic moves by champions. These changes highlighted the competitive depth of the promotion and paved the way for historic achievements, such as the rise of dual-division champions. While several divisions remained stable with successful defenses by incumbents, the transitions in heavyweight, light heavyweight, lightweight, flyweight, women's flyweight, and women's featherweight underscored a year of high-stakes rivalries and unexpected outcomes.[24] Heavyweight Division
Stipe Miocic entered 2018 as the reigning heavyweight champion, having defended the title twice in 2017. However, on July 7 at UFC 226, Daniel Cormier, the light heavyweight titleholder, moved up in weight and knocked out Miocic in the first round to claim the heavyweight belt, becoming the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold two division titles simultaneously. Cormier vacated the light heavyweight title on December 28 to focus on his new division, with no further heavyweight title changes occurring that year. He later defended the heavyweight crown against Derrick Lewis via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:14 of Round 2 at UFC 230 on November 3. This shift marked a significant power consolidation at the top of the heavyweight ranks.[24][14] Light Heavyweight Division
Following Cormier's vacation of the light heavyweight title, the division was left without a champion heading into late 2018. On December 29 at UFC 232, Jon Jones captured the vacant belt by defeating Alexander Gustafsson via unanimous decision in a highly anticipated rematch, reclaiming the title he had previously held before a doping suspension. This victory solidified Jones' status as a dominant force in the division, though it was marred by ongoing controversies surrounding the event's relocation due to testing issues. No additional changes took place, setting the stage for future defenses.[24] Middleweight Division
Robert Whittaker maintained his status as undisputed middleweight champion throughout 2018, with no title changes. He defended the belt against Yoel Romero via majority decision at UFC 225 on June 9, in a closely contested bout that extended his reign without interruption. Whittaker's successful defense highlighted the division's stability amid a deep pool of contenders.[25] Welterweight Division
Tyron Woodley retained the welterweight title with no changes to the undisputed championship. Colby Covington won the interim title by defeating Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision at UFC 225 on June 9, 2018, and held it through the year without unification. Woodley defended the undisputed belt against Darren Till via split decision at UFC 228 on September 8, emphasizing his defensive prowess in a division known for its striking wars.[26] Lightweight Division
The lightweight division underwent a major transition early in the year when Conor McGregor was stripped of the title due to inactivity, leaving it vacant. Khabib Nurmagomedov won the vacant championship by defeating Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision at UFC 223 on April 7, extending his undefeated record to 26-0. Nurmagomedov then made his first defense against McGregor on October 6 at UFC 229, submitting him in the fourth round to retain the title and improve to 27-0, cementing his legacy as an unstoppable force. These events not only changed the division's leadership but also drew massive global attention.[24][14][27] Featherweight Division
Max Holloway held the featherweight title firmly in 2018, with no changes. He defended against Brian Ortega via third-round TKO (doctor stoppage) at UFC 231 on December 8, overcoming adversity to retain the belt in a grueling fight that showcased his resilience. The division remained under Holloway's control, building on his multi-fight winning streak.[28] Bantamweight Division
TJ Dillashaw preserved the bantamweight championship without alteration in 2018. He defended the title against former champion Cody Garbrandt via first-round TKO at UFC 227 on August 4, solidifying his position in a division rife with turnover. No further challenges resulted in a title shift that year.[29] Flyweight Division
Demetrious Johnson began 2018 as the long-reigning flyweight champion but lost the title to Henry Cejudo via split decision at UFC 227 on August 4, ending Johnson's record 11 successful defenses. This upset marked the end of an era for the division and elevated Cejudo as the new titleholder, known for his wrestling pedigree. No additional changes occurred, though the bout's closeness sparked debate over the scoring.[24][14] Women's Strawweight Division
Rose Namajunas retained the women's strawweight title throughout 2018, with no changes. She defended successfully against Joanna Jedrzejczyk via unanimous decision at UFC 223 on April 7, avenging their prior encounter and extending her dominance in the division. Namajunas' reign continued uninterrupted into the following year.[30] Women's Flyweight Division
The women's flyweight division, newly established in late 2017 with Valentina Shevchenko as interim champion, saw unification in 2018. Shevchenko defeated Joanna Jędrzejczyk via unanimous decision at UFC 231 on December 8 to claim the undisputed title, validating her interim status and establishing her as the premier 125-pound fighter. This victory capped a transitional year for the weight class.[24][14] Women's Bantamweight Division
Amanda Nunes remained the women's bantamweight champion in 2018, with no title alterations. She defended the belt against Raquel Pennington via fifth-round TKO at UFC 224 on May 12, demonstrating her striking power in a one-sided affair. Nunes' hold on the division set the foundation for her later expansion.[31] Women's Featherweight Division
Cris Cyborg started 2018 as the women's featherweight champion but was dethroned by Amanda Nunes via first-round knockout at UFC 232 on December 29, in a bout that lasted just 51 seconds. This shocking upset made Nunes a two-division champion, joining an elite group in UFC history and ending Cyborg's undefeated streak in the Octagon. The change added to the year's theme of bold cross-division conquests.[24][31] These champion changes had lasting implications, including the prominence of double champions like Cormier and Nunes, who exemplified the promotion's evolving emphasis on multi-division dominance. Khabib Nurmagomedov's undefeated ascent to 27-0 further elevated the lightweight division's prestige, influencing future matchmaking and fan interest. Overall, 2018's transitions reflected the UFC's dynamic nature, with stable divisions providing contrast to the upheaval in others.[14]

Talent Development

The Ultimate Fighter Seasons

In 2018, The Ultimate Fighter reality series aired two seasons on FS1, continuing its role as a key talent development program for the UFC by showcasing emerging fighters in a house-based competition format. Each season featured 16 undefeated or promising prospects divided into two weight classes, with eight fighters per bracket competing in an elimination tournament under the guidance of prominent UFC coaches. The format emphasized skill-building through team training, inter-team rivalries, and live fights, while incorporating a broader pool of international talent to diversify the roster and highlight global MMA prospects. Both seasons consisted of 14 episodes, blending training footage, personal stories, and in-house bouts leading to finale events where winners earned UFC contracts. The 27th season, titled The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated, premiered on April 18, 2018, and focused on undefeated lightweight and featherweight fighters. Coached by UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier—who would later face off at UFC 226—the season highlighted raw, untested talent from around the world, including competitors from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Europe. Notable performances included featherweight Grant Dawson's dominant run through the quarterfinals and semifinals with submission victories before a decision loss, showcasing his grappling prowess. The season culminated at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale on July 6, 2018, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where lightweight finalist Mike Trizano defeated Joe Giannetti via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) to claim the title, and featherweight finalist Brad Katona submitted Jay Cucciniello via rear-naked choke in the third round for the win. All four finalists signed multi-fight UFC contracts, with several semifinalists, including Dawson, also securing deals and debuting on the roster shortly after. The 28th season, known as The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters, premiered on August 29, 2018, shifting to heavyweight and women's featherweight divisions with a mix of established regional fighters and international standouts from countries like Spain, Ukraine, and South Africa. Robert Whittaker, the UFC middleweight champion, coached opposite top contender Kelvin Gastelum, setting up their anticipated title fight later in the year at UFC 230. The bracket featured physically imposing heavyweights and skilled women's prospects, with an emphasis on striking and conditioning to suit the "heavy hitters" theme. The finale took place on November 30, 2018, at The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas during The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale, where heavyweight winner Juan Espino submitted Justin Frazier via straight armbar in the first round at 3:36, and women's featherweight winner Macy Chiasson tapped out Pannie Kianzad with a rear-naked choke in the second round at 2:22. Like the previous season, all finalists received UFC contracts, bolstering the promotion's heavyweight and women's divisions with fresh talent.

Notable Fighter Debuts

In 2018, the UFC saw 121 fighters make their promotional debuts across its events, with newcomers posting a record of 59 wins, 61 losses, and one draw, reflecting a competitive landscape for fresh talent.[3] Many of these debuts came through pathways like Dana White's Contender Series Season 2, which ran from June to September and awarded UFC contracts to 21 fighters over 10 weeks of bouts, including standouts such as Sodiq Yusuff, Maycee Barber, and Marina Rodriguez who quickly transitioned to the roster.[32] One of the most prominent debuts belonged to Israel Adesanya, who entered the middleweight division on February 11 at UFC 221 in Perth, Australia, defeating Rob Wilkinson via second-round TKO due to strikes at 3:37 of the frame, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in the process.[33] Adesanya went undefeated in 2018 with four victories, including stoppages over Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson, as well as a decision win over Brad Tavares, establishing himself as a rising star with his striking precision and showmanship that captivated audiences.[15] In the lightweight division, Alexander Hernandez made an immediate statement on March 3 at UFC 222 in Las Vegas, stepping in on short notice to knock out veteran Beneil Dariush with punches at 0:42 of the first round, one of the year's most notable upsets against an established contender.[34] This explosive performance highlighted the potential for rapid breakthroughs among newcomers, as Hernandez followed it with another finish later in the year against Drew Dober.[15] On the women's side, Weili Zhang debuted in the strawweight division on August 4 at UFC 227 in Los Angeles, dominating Danielle Taylor with a unanimous decision victory after outstriking her opponent 128-45 over three rounds, signaling her arrival as a dominant force.[35] Zhang's 2018 debut laid the foundation for her rapid ascent, culminating in her becoming the UFC strawweight champion in 2020 and defending the title multiple times thereafter.[36]

Events

Pay-Per-View Events

In 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) produced 13 pay-per-view (PPV) events, spanning from UFC 220 in January to UFC 232 in December. These numbered events highlighted championship bouts and star-driven matchups across various weight classes, often headlined by title defenses or unification fights. The PPVs were held in diverse locations, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, and Canada, contributing to the promotion's global expansion. Attendance figures varied based on venue capacity and market demand, while PPV buy rates reflected the draw of individual fighters and storylines. The following table summarizes the 2018 UFC PPV events, including dates, locations, main events, and available attendance and buy rate data:
EventDateLocationMain EventAttendanceBuy Rate
UFC 220January 20Boston, Massachusetts, USAStipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou (Heavyweight Championship)16,015340,000–380,000
UFC 221February 10Perth, AustraliaYoel Romero vs. Luke Rockhold (Middleweight Championship)N/AN/A
UFC 222March 3Las Vegas, Nevada, USACris Cyborg vs. Yana Kunitskaya (Women's Featherweight Championship)N/AN/A
UFC 223April 7Brooklyn, New York, USAKhabib Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta (Lightweight Championship)N/AN/A
UFC 224May 12Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAmanda Nunes vs. Raquel Pennington (Women's Bantamweight Championship)N/AN/A
UFC 225June 9Chicago, Illinois, USARobert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero 2 (Middleweight Championship)18,117250,000
UFC 226July 7Las Vegas, Nevada, USAStipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (Heavyweight Championship)17,464380,000
UFC 227August 4Los Angeles, California, USAT.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt 2 (Bantamweight Championship)N/A300,000
UFC 228September 8Dallas, Texas, USATyron Woodley vs. Darren Till (Welterweight Championship)N/AN/A
UFC 229October 6Las Vegas, Nevada, USAKhabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor (Lightweight Championship)20,0342,400,000
UFC 230November 3New York City, New York, USADaniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight Championship)N/AN/A
UFC 231December 8Toronto, Ontario, CanadaMax Holloway vs. Brian Ortega (Featherweight Championship)19,039300,000
UFC 232December 29Inglewood, California, USAJon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson 2 (Light Heavyweight Championship)15,862N/A
Several events stood out for their commercial success and historical significance. UFC 229 shattered records with 2.4 million worldwide PPV buys, the highest in UFC history at the time, driven by the intense rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, while also generating a $17.2 million gate before a sellout crowd of 20,034 at T-Mobile Arena. Similarly, UFC 226 featured Daniel Cormier's knockout victory over Stipe Miocic to claim the heavyweight title, achieving 380,000 buys despite a last-minute co-main event change. Non-title headliners were less common, but events like UFC 228 showcased welterweight champion Tyron Woodley defending against rising star Darren Till in a high-stakes PPV format. Overall, the 13 PPVs averaged approximately 447,000 buys each, reflecting steady interest amid a crowded schedule, though star power significantly influenced performance. International outings, such as UFC 221 in Australia and UFC 224 in Brazil, expanded the UFC's footprint, while domestic staples like UFC 225 in Chicago drew 18,117 fans for a $2.55 million gate in a rematch between Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero. UFC 232's late relocation from Las Vegas to The Forum due to regulatory issues still attracted 15,862 attendees, underscoring the promotion's adaptability.

Fight Night and Apex Events

In 2018, the Ultimate Fighting Championship organized 26 non-pay-per-view events, including UFC Fight Night cards primarily broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), UFC on Fox events aired on the Fox broadcast network, and two Ultimate Fighter season finales. These gatherings played a vital role in the promotion's ecosystem, providing opportunities for mid-tier and prospect fighters to compete on undercards that often influenced rankings and paved the way for main card spots on pay-per-view (PPV) events. Unlike high-profile PPVs, these accessible shows emphasized fighter development, with prelim bouts serving as testing grounds for rising stars and international talent. Broadcast primarily through Fox Sports properties, they reached broad audiences without additional purchase costs, fostering grassroots growth in the sport.[37][38] The events spanned a variety of venues worldwide, from arenas in the United States to international markets in Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia, reflecting the UFC's expanding global footprint. Attendance figures varied, but collectively drew around 250,000 fans, underscoring their appeal as entry-level spectacles. Notable for undercard performances that propelled careers, these cards highlighted technical matchups and knockouts that captured fan attention, such as Sean O'Malley's unanimous decision victory over Andre Soukhamthath on the UFC 222 prelims, marking an early showcase for the bantamweight prospect.[3] Key events exemplified the diversity and impact of these shows. For instance, UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens on February 24 in Orlando, Florida, attracted 10,124 spectators to the Amway Center, where Jeremy Stephens secured a second-round knockout over Josh Emmett in the main event, while undercard bouts like Curtis Blaydes' submission of Marcin Tybura bolstered heavyweight contenders. International outings added cultural significance; UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders on February 3 in Belém, Brazil, drew local support at the Mangueirinho Gymnasium, with Lyoto Machida earning a unanimous decision over Eryk Anders to rekindle his career. Later in the year, UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 on November 10 in Denver, Colorado—marking the UFC's 25th anniversary—saw Donald Cerrone defeat Rafael dos Anjos via second-round TKO at the Pepsi Center, celebrating the promotion's history with a rematch of their 2014 classic. Another highlight was UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa on December 1 in Adelaide, Australia, where Tai Tuivasa's first-round knockout of Junior dos Santos energized the crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and introduced Australian heavyweights to a broader audience.[39] The full schedule of these events is as follows:
DateEvent NameLocation
January 14UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. ChoiSt. Louis, Missouri, USA
January 27UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
February 3UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. AndersBelém, Pará, Brazil
February 18UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. MedeirosAustin, Texas, USA
February 24UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. StephensOrlando, Florida, USA
March 17UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. VolkovLondon, England, UK
April 14UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. GaethjeGlendale, Arizona, USA
April 21UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. LeeAtlantic City, New Jersey, USA
May 19UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. UsmanSantiago, Chile
May 27UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. TillLiverpool, England, UK
June 1UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. MoraesUtica, New York, USA
June 23UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. EdwardsSingapore
July 6The Ultimate Fighter 27 FinaleLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
July 14UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. IvanovBoise, Idaho, USA
July 22UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. SmithHamburg, Germany
July 28UFC Fight Night: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2Calgary, Alberta, Canada
August 25UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. VickLincoln, Nebraska, USA
September 15UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. OleinikMoscow, Russia
September 22UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. AndersSão Paulo, Brazil
October 27UFC Fight Night: Oezdemir vs. SmithMoncton, New Brunswick, Canada
November 10UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2Denver, Colorado, USA
November 17UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. PonzinibbioBuenos Aires, Argentina
November 24UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2Beijing, China
November 30The Ultimate Fighter 28 FinaleLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
December 1UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. TuivasaAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
December 15UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
These events not only filled arenas but also amplified undercard narratives, such as undefeated prospects securing bonuses for finishes and veterans mentoring newcomers, contributing to the UFC's talent pipeline without the pressure of title implications.[37]

Controversies and Incidents

Major Post-Fight Brawls

One of the most notorious incidents of 2018 occurred on April 5 during the media day for UFC 223 in Brooklyn, New York, when Conor McGregor and approximately 20 associates stormed the Barclays Center loading area and attacked a bus carrying fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov.[40] McGregor hurled a metal dolly through a window, shattering glass that injured several fighters on board, notably lightweight Michael Chiesa, who suffered cuts requiring stitches and was forced to withdraw from his bout against Kevin Lee, and flyweight Ray Borg, who sustained a concussion and corneal abrasion, scrapping his fight with Brandon Moreno. The melee also led to the cancellation of the featherweight bout between Alex Caceres and Artem Lobov, as Lobov participated in the attack and was arrested. Three bouts were ultimately canceled from the card and prompted significant last-minute adjustments, including Max Holloway stepping in to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the vacant lightweight title, though he was later deemed medically unfit and replaced by Al Iaquinta.[41] McGregor surrendered to authorities later that day and was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief; he was released on $50,000 bail.[42] In July 2018, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct as part of a plea deal, avoiding jail time but agreeing to 5 days of community service, an anger management evaluation (1-3 days), and $12,500 in restitution.[43] The incident heightened security concerns for UFC events and contributed to broader discussions on fighter conduct and venue safety protocols.[44] The rivalry escalated dramatically on October 6 at UFC 229 in Las Vegas, where Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title by submitting McGregor via rear-naked choke in the fourth round before a sold-out crowd of 20,034, generating a live gate of $17.2 million.[45] Immediately after the fight, Nurmagomedov leaped from the Octagon into the crowd to attack McGregor's cornerman Dillon Danis, sparking a chaotic brawl that spilled into the cage and involved both fighters' teams, security personnel, and fans, resulting in a melee described as involving up to 50 people and leading to 10 ejections from the arena.[46] McGregor retaliated by throwing chairs and punches at Nurmagomedov's associates, including his brother, while police and security intervened to restore order, with no serious injuries reported but the post-fight press conference canceled amid the unrest.[47] In the aftermath, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) imposed suspensions and fines in January 2019: Nurmagomedov received a nine-month suspension (initially backdated to October 2018 and lifted early in July) and a $500,000 fine, half of which went to an anti-bullying charity, while McGregor was suspended for six months and fined $50,000.[48] Nurmagomedov's cornermen, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, faced one-year bans and $25,000 fines each, and Danis received a one-year suspension.[49] The UFC withheld $1 million from Nurmagomedov's fight purse initially, later adjusting it to the NSAC fine amount.[50] These events prompted the UFC to implement enhanced security measures for subsequent fights, including increased personnel at arenas, stricter separation of fighter entourages, and improved crowd control protocols to prevent similar escalations.[47] UFC President Dana White emphasized the need for better safeguards, noting the incidents as a turning point in managing high-profile rivalries.[51]

Drug Testing and Relocation Issues

In 2018, the UFC's anti-doping program, administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), conducted 2,888 tests worldwide on UFC athletes, including 2,427 urine samples and 461 blood samples, marking a significant increase in testing volume from prior years.[52] This rigorous regime resulted in 26 sanctions against UFC fighters for violations, highlighting ongoing challenges with prohibited substances such as ostarine and metabolites of anabolic steroids. Controversies arose over detection thresholds, particularly picogram levels of substances lingering from past use, and the application of retroactive penalties in some cases.[52] Several fighters faced suspensions for ostarine detections in 2018. Bantamweight Sean O'Malley tested positive following out-of-competition samples collected on September 5 and October 5, 2018, leading to a six-month suspension by USADA and the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), retroactive to his provisional suspension date of September 19, 2018.[53] Similarly, former women's bantamweight champion Nicco Montano received a six-month ineligibility period after testing positive for ostarine in samples from August 2018.[53] These cases exemplified broader concerns about contaminated supplements, with USADA emphasizing education on supplement risks amid the violations.[53] The most prominent controversy involved light heavyweight Jon Jones ahead of UFC 232. On December 9, 2018, Jones submitted a urine sample to USADA that tested positive for trace amounts (40 picograms per milliliter) of a Turinabol metabolite, classified as an "atypical finding" consistent with residual effects from his 2017 violation rather than new ingestion.[54] The NSAC declined to license Jones for the event in Las Vegas due to insufficient time to investigate the finding, prompting the UFC to relocate the entire card to The Forum in Inglewood, California, on December 29, 2018, where the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) issued him a temporary license after additional VADA testing.[55] This last-minute shift incurred an estimated $6 million cost to the UFC and disrupted fans holding Las Vegas tickets.[56] The relocation amplified debates on picogram-level detections and regulatory inconsistencies between commissions, with USADA defending the result as non-performance-enhancing.[57] Jones proceeded to win the light heavyweight title against Alexander Gustafsson via third-round knockout, but faced ongoing scrutiny and appeals processes without additional sanctions for the atypical finding. The UFC 232 broadcast followed standard formatting, with prelims on FS1 and the main card on pay-per-view, though the venue change fueled criticism of favoritism toward high-profile fighters.[58]

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  57. NAC won't license Jon Jones after drug-test oddity, UFC 232 moves ...
  58. UFC 232 live stream -- Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson
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