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UFC 125
UFC 125
from Wikipedia
UFC 125: Resolution
The poster for UFC 125: Resolution
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateJanuary 1, 2011
VenueMGM Grand Garden Arena
CityLas Vegas, Nevada
Attendance12,874[1]
Total gate$2,174,780[1]
Buyrate270,000[2]
Event chronology
UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck 2 UFC 125: Resolution UFC: Fight for the Troops 2

UFC 125: Resolution was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[3]

Background

[edit]

The planned rematch between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen from their UFC 117 bout was at one point thought to take place at this event.[4][5]

On October 26, 2010, Shane Carwin had to pull out of his fight with Roy Nelson due to a back injury that required surgery. Nelson was then pulled from the card altogether.[6]

On October 28, 2010, UFC president Dana White announced that World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) would merge with the UFC and that WEC Featherweight Champion José Aldo would be promoted to UFC Featherweight Champion.[7] Josh Grispi was pulled from a planned WEC 52 bout with Erik Koch to challenge Aldo for the Featherweight title at this event.[8] However, Aldo was later forced off the card with an injury.[9] Grispi remained on the card and fought Dustin Poirier.[10]

A lightweight bout between Cole Miller and Matt Wiman, which was originally scheduled to take place at this event, was moved to UFC: Fight For The Troops 2.[11]

UFC 125 preliminary fights were shown live for the first time on Ion Television in the United States.[12] The preliminary fights were shown live in the United Kingdom on ESPN, Rogers Sportsnet in Canada[13] and Fuel TV in Australia.[14]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Frankie Edgar (c) vs. Gray Maynard Draw (split) (46–48, 48–46, 47–47) 5 5:00 [a]
Middleweight Brian Stann def. Chris Leben TKO (knee and punches) 1 3:37
Light Heavyweight Thiago Silva vs Brandon Vera NC (overturned) 3 2:10
Welterweight Dong Hyun Kim def. Nate Diaz Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Lightweight Clay Guida def. Takanori Gomi Submission (guillotine choke) 2 4:27
Preliminary card (Ion TV)
Lightweight Jeremy Stephens def. Marcus Davis KO (punch) 3 2:33
Featherweight Dustin Poirier def. Josh Grispi Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Brad Tavares def. Phil Baroni KO (knees and punches) 1 4:20
Preliminary card
Featherweight Diego Nunes def. Mike Brown Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Welterweight Daniel Roberts def. Greg Soto Submission (kimura) 1 3:45
Lightweight Jacob Volkmann def. Antonio McKee Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $60,000 bonuses.[15]

  • Fight of the Night: Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard
  • Knockout of the Night: Jeremy Stephens
  • Submission of the Night: Clay Guida

Reported payout

[edit]

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC and also do not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.[16]

  • Frankie Edgar: $102,000 ($51,000 win bonus) vs. Gray Maynard: $52,000 ($26,000 win bonus) ^
  • Brian Stann: $122,000 ($21,000 win bonus) def. Chris Leben: $96,000
  • Thiago Silva: $110,000 ($55,000 win bonus) def. Brandon Vera: $70,000
  • Dong Hyun Kim: $70,000 ($35,000 win bonus) def. Nate Diaz: $63,000
  • Clay Guida: $62,000 ($31,000 win bonus) def. Takanori Gomi: $50,000
  • Jeremy Stephens: $36,000 ($18,000 win bonus) def. Marcus Davis: $31,000
  • Dustin Poirier: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus) def. Josh Grispi: $15,000
  • Brad Tavares: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Phil Baroni: $25,000
  • Diego Nunes: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Mike Brown: $23,000
  • Daniel Roberts: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) def. Greg Soto: $8,000
  • Jacob Volkmann: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) def. Antonio McKee: $15,000

^Although not reflected in the NSAC paperwork, both Edgar and Maynard received their win bonuses despite the draw.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 125: Resolution was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 1, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the promotion's first numbered event of the year and featuring twelve professional bouts across multiple weight classes. The main event was a UFC Lightweight Championship rematch between defending champion Frankie Edgar and top contender Gray Maynard; the intense five-round war ended in a split decision draw—the first such outcome in a UFC title fight—allowing Edgar to retain his title amid widespread debate over the judging. In the co-main event, Brian Stann secured a first-round technical knockout victory over Chris Leben in the middleweight division via knees and punches at 3:37. Other key main card results included Jeremy Stephens defeating Marcus Davis by unanimous decision, Clay Guida submitting Takanori Gomi with a rear-naked choke in the second round, Dong Hyun Kim outpointing Nate Diaz by unanimous decision, and a light heavyweight clash between Brandon Vera and Thiago Silva that was later overturned to a no contest. The preliminary card highlighted emerging talents, with Dustin Poirier claiming a second-round submission win over Josh Grispi in a bout and Phil Davis knocking out Tim Boetsch in the third round, alongside victories for Ed Herman, Jacob Volkmann, Diego Nunes, Brad Tavares, and Paul Taylor. The event drew an attendance of 12,874 fans, generating a live gate of $2,174,780, and reportedly achieved approximately 270,000 buys. A major controversy overshadowed the card when Silva's post-fight sample was found inconsistent with human urine, resulting in a one-year license revocation by the and a $33,750 fine, while the Edgar-Maynard bout was retrospectively honored as Sherdog's 2011 Fight of the Year for its high-octane action.

Event Information

Date and Venue

UFC 125: Resolution was held on January 1, 2011, marking it as the first pay-per-view event of the year for the . This timing positioned the event as a spectacle, aligning with the promotion's tradition of kicking off the annual schedule with high-profile cards. The event took place at the in , , a multi-purpose venue renowned for hosting major combat sports gatherings. With a of 16,800, the arena provides an intimate yet electric atmosphere for large-scale events. Since its debut UFC event in 2001, the has become a cornerstone location for the organization, accommodating over 40 pay-per-views and contributing to the sport's growth in the entertainment capital. As the 125th overall UFC event, Resolution underscored the promotion's expansion and consistency in delivering numbered spectacles. The logistical setup emphasized the venue's state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced lighting and sound systems tailored for productions.

Broadcast and Attendance

UFC 125's main card was distributed via on major cable and satellite providers, including , , and , allowing viewers to purchase the event for $54.95 in standard definition or $64.95 in high definition. The preliminary card marked a broadcasting milestone as the first UFC event to feature live prelims on network television, with three bouts airing on starting at 9:00 p.m. ET, reaching an estimated 829,000 viewers. This initiative represented a strategic expansion in content distribution following the UFC's merger with the (WEC) promotion in late 2010, aiming to increase accessibility to undercard fights without relying solely on cable networks like Spike TV. The event achieved a total attendance of 12,874, including 6,978 paid tickets, reflecting solid turnout at the despite competing with celebrations. Financially, it generated a live gate revenue of $2,174,780 from ticket sales. Pay-per-view performance was estimated at 270,000 buys, a moderate figure for the era that underscored the event's draw amid a rematch-heavy card but also highlighted challenges in sustaining high buy rates post-holiday.

Background

Promotion and Scheduling

UFC 125 marked the 125th numbered event in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's history and served as the promotion's first of 2011, coming shortly after on December 11, 2010. The event was announced in September 2010, with initial planning focusing on shifting from the UFC's customary year-end scheduling to a post-holiday kickoff. The promotional theme for UFC 125, titled "Resolution," drew directly from the New Year's Day timing, evoking the concept of personal resolutions while highlighting key bouts intended to settle ongoing rivalries and defend titles. This branding emphasized narrative closure in matchups, aligning with the holiday's introspective spirit to engage fans in a fresh annual cycle. Held on January 1, 2011—a non-traditional date for major UFC cards—the event aimed to leverage heightened post-holiday audience availability in Las Vegas. This scheduling choice represented a strategic pivot to open the year strongly, building on the promotion's established Las Vegas presence. In the broader context, UFC 125 occurred amid the recent merger of the UFC with (WEC), announced on October 28, 2010, which integrated WEC's lighter weight classes into the UFC roster. This consolidation expanded the promotion's divisions, with UFC 125 featuring the inaugural UFC bouts as part of the transition.

Fight Card Development

The development of the UFC 125 fight card began in mid-October 2010, when the officially announced the event for January 1, 2011, at the in , . The initial main event was set as a title rematch between champion and challenger , marking their first meeting since Maynard's unanimous decision victory over Edgar at Season 5 Finale in 2006. This bout headlined a preliminary lineup of six fights, including a heavyweight co-main event between and Roy Nelson, as well as middleweight clash versus . Significant changes occurred shortly after the initial announcement due to injuries. On , , Carwin withdrew from his scheduled bout with Nelson, citing a back injury that required an MRI and potentially surgery; the issue stemmed from lingering effects of his grueling July fight against at UFC 116. Nelson was subsequently removed from the card entirely, with rumors of Filipovic as a possible replacement opponent for Carwin quickly dismissed by UFC officials. The slot remained vacant initially, prompting adjustments to the overall structure. The card evolved further following the UFC's merger with , announced on October 28, 2010, which integrated WEC's featherweight division into the UFC roster. On November 3, 2010, officials added a featherweight title bout between newly crowned UFC champion —promoted via the merger—and challenger as the revised co-main event, filling the void left by the Carwin-Nelson cancellation and marking the first UFC appearance for both fighters under the unified banner. However, on November 23, 2010, Aldo was forced to withdraw due to a compacted vertebra causing tingling in his arms, leading to stepping in as Grispi's opponent in a non-title featherweight matchup. This shift indirectly restructured the card's upper divisions, emphasizing emerging talent in lighter weight classes. Additional bouts were announced throughout December 2010 to round out the undercard, including lightweight contests such as versus and versus , alongside light heavyweight and middleweight additions like versus and versus . By late December, the card was finalized with 11 total fights, featuring a strong emphasis on the lightweight division—highlighted by the main event and multiple high-profile prelims—and light heavyweight bouts to balance the lineup. This assembly reflected the UFC's efforts to capitalize on the post-merger influx of talent while navigating injury setbacks to deliver a diverse, competitive event.

Fight Card

Main Card

The main card of UFC 125 featured five high-profile bouts broadcast on , headlined by a championship rematch and including several fighters with significant career stakes. The title fight pitted champion (13-1-1) against undefeated challenger (10-0), a rematch from their January 2008 encounter that ended in a draw, with Edgar having since captured the belt by defeating twice. This marked Edgar's first defense of the title, amid questions about his legitimacy as champion given his underdog status entering the bout, while Maynard aimed for his first UFC title and a chance to avenge the prior stalemate through his wrestling prowess against Edgar's speed and striking. In the co-main event, middleweight veterans (20-6) and (9-3) collided, with Leben returning after a one-year suspension for a positive and subsequent rehab, seeking to reestablish himself against the rising Stann, a former Marine whose tactical evolution was highlighted in pre-fight discussions. Leben's history of brawling contrasted with Stann's disciplined approach, building hype around whether Leben could overcome personal setbacks to position himself for bigger opportunities, such as a potential matchup with . The light heavyweight matchup saw Brandon "The Truth" Vera (11-3) facing Thiago Silva (14-1), as Vera aimed to rebound from a severe facial injury suffered in his August 2010 loss to Jon Jones, which had sidelined him and led to a brief UFC release before his reinstatement. Silva, returning after a training hiatus due to back issues, brought a grappling-heavy style that promised a contrast to Vera's striking urgency in what was viewed as a pivotal fight for both men's career trajectories. Welterweights (13-5) and (13-0-1, 1 NC) met in a matchup that tested Diaz's recent successes at following struggles at , against the undefeated South Korean judoka Kim, known for his control and size advantage in a potential battle of submissions versus takedown dominance. Lightweights (27-10) and Takanori Gomi (32-5) represented a clash of styles and eras, with Guida's relentless energy and ground game testing the former PRIDE FC lightweight champion Gomi, who sought to revive his legacy in the UFC following a knockout loss in his October 2010 debut against . The bout generated excitement over Gomi's knockout power versus Guida's cardio, positioning it as a potential showcase for cross-promotional talent.

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card for UFC 125 consisted of six bouts spanning , , , and divisions, offering a platform for both promising prospects and seasoned competitors to demonstrate their skills ahead of the main event. Three of these fights aired live on , representing the UFC's inaugural broadcast agreement with a national network for undercard action. This arrangement allowed broader exposure for select matchups, emphasizing the promotion's efforts to expand on New Year's Day 2011. The televised portion highlighted key divisional tests, including a featherweight showdown between former WEC champion and newcomer , a middleweight clash featuring veteran against , and a lightweight bout pitting striker against grappler . The untelevised fights rounded out the undercard with another featherweight matchup of ex-WEC title challenger Mike Brown versus Diego Nunes, a lightweight wrestling-centric encounter between and Antonio McKee, and a welterweight scrap of Daniel Roberts against Greg Soto.
Weight ClassFight
FeatherweightJosh Grispi vs. Dustin Poirier
MiddleweightPhil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares
LightweightMarcus Davis vs. Jeremy Stephens
Weight ClassFight
FeatherweightMike Brown vs. Diego Nunes
LightweightJacob Volkmann vs. Antonio McKee
WelterweightDaniel Roberts vs. Greg Soto
Several fighters on the card were making significant UFC appearances, such as in his promotional debut and transitioning as the last WEC featherweight titleholder into the UFC's newly incorporated 145-pound division. , a longtime MMA veteran with a history in multiple promotions, used the bout to stage a comeback after a period of inactivity. Antonio McKee brought extensive credentials from his regional and international experience to the lightweight matchup. The featherweight inclusions reflected the UFC's recent absorption of WEC talent following the merger announced in October 2010 and finalized by January 2011, integrating lighter-weight specialists like Brown and Nunes to bolster divisional depth. These bouts functioned primarily as developmental showcases, illustrating the promotion's roster breadth in and while providing contrast to the main card's emphasis on the lightweight title rematch between champion and challenger .

Results

Main Card Results

The main card of UFC 125 featured five bouts, headlined by a lightweight title fight that marked a historic moment for the promotion. In the main event, champion Frankie Edgar defended his title against Gray Maynard in a grueling five-round war that ended in the first draw in UFC championship history. Maynard dominated the opening round with a knockdown and heavy ground-and-pound, earning a 10-8 score from all judges, but Edgar rallied with superior cardio and striking volume over the final four rounds to secure a split decision draw by scores of 48-46 Edgar, 46-48 Maynard, and 47-47. The controversial outcome, praised for its intensity, immediately sparked calls for a rematch, which was later scheduled for UFC 136 later that year. In the co-main event, delivered a stunning upset over veteran with a first-round TKO via knees and punches at 3:37, showcasing his explosive striking and wrestling base to halt Leben's aggressive pressure early. The victory propelled Stann into contention, earning him praise as an emerging force and setting up future high-profile matchups. controlled throughout their clash, using takedowns and ground strikes to earn a victory by scores of 30-27 across the board after three rounds. (Note: This result was later overturned to a no contest by the due to Silva testing positive for performance-enhancing substances.) Clay Guida outwrestled and submitted Takanori Gomi with a guillotine choke at 4:27 of the second round in a lightweight bout, capitalizing on Gomi's fatigue after a competitive first frame to extend his win streak. (Note: Some reports initially misidentified the submission as a rear-naked choke and the finish time as occurring in Round 1, but official records confirm the guillotine in Round 2.) Opening the main card, Dong Hyun Kim edged Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in a welterweight matchup, relying on his grappling to neutralize Diaz's submission threats over three rounds.
FightResultMethodRoundTimeDecision Scores
Edgar vs. Maynard (Lightweight Title)DrawSplit Decision55:0048-46 Edgar, 46-48 Maynard, 47-47
Stann vs. Leben (Middleweight)Stann def. LebenTKO (knees and punches)13:37N/A
Silva vs. Vera (Light Heavyweight)Silva def. Vera*Unanimous Decision35:0030-27, 30-27, 30-27
Kim vs. Diaz (Welterweight)Kim def. DiazUnanimous Decision35:0029-28, 29-28, 29-28
Guida vs. Gomi (Lightweight)Guida def. GomiSubmission (guillotine choke)24:27N/A
*Overturned to No Contest post-event. The night's outcomes highlighted the division's depth, with the Edgar-Maynard draw underscoring the need for a decisive , while Stann's emphatic finish solidified his trajectory toward title contention in the ranks.

Preliminary Card Results

The preliminary card for UFC 125 featured six bouts broadcast on and , showcasing a mix of established veterans and rising prospects in the , , , and divisions. These undercard fights emphasized exchanges and striking flurries, with three decisions and three stoppages highlighting the competitive depth of the promotion's roster at the time.
FighterResultOpponentMethodRoundTimeNotes
WinAntonio McKeeDecision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)35:00Volkmann controlled the early, securing the upset victory over the undefeated McKee in a closely contested bout that advanced Volkmann's UFC record to 2-0.
Daniel RobertsWinGreg SotoSubmission ()13:45Roberts, making his UFC debut, capitalized on a takedown to lock in the arm from the top position, marking a quick finish in this matchup and boosting his momentum as a prospect.
Diego NunesWinMike BrownDecision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)35:00Nunes edged out the former WEC with superior striking volume in the later rounds, earning his first UFC victory and solidifying his status as a division contender.
WinTKO (punches)14:20Tavares overwhelmed Baroni with knees and ground strikes against the cage, handing the veteran a decisive loss in the division and extending Tavares' unbeaten streak in the UFC to 3-0.
WinDecision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)35:00Poirier dominated with takedowns and ground control throughout the clash, derailing Grispi's highly anticipated UFC debut and launching Poirier's trajectory toward future title contention.
Win (punch)32:33Stephens absorbed early pressure before landing a devastating right hand to drop Davis, securing a highlight-reel in the opener and reinforcing his reputation as a artist.
The undercard outcomes underscored a grappling-heavy approach in several matchups, with Volkmann and Roberts leveraging submissions and control to secure victories, while finishes like Tavares' and Stephens' demonstrated the striking power on display. Poirier's lopsided decision over the favored Grispi stood out as a pivotal moment, propelling the young fighter toward a breakout year in 2011. Overall, these results contributed to the event's theme of resilience, setting the stage for the main card's high-stakes action without any no-contests or major controversies.

Post-Event

Bonus Awards

At UFC 125, performance bonuses were elevated to $60,000 per category, surpassing the typical $50,000 amount to highlight standout efforts at this New Year's Eve pay-per-view event. The awards recognized exceptional displays across three categories: Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night. The Fight of the Night bonus was shared by lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard for their grueling five-round title bout, which featured multiple knockdowns and ended in a split draw after 25 minutes of back-and-forth action. Each fighter received the full $60,000 award for their contributions to one of the most competitive main events in UFC history. Jeremy Stephens earned the Knockout of the Night honor with a devastating right hand that dropped Marcus Davis, followed by ground strikes that prompted referee Herb Dean to stop the fight at 2:33 of the third round in their preliminary lightweight matchup. This finish showcased Stephens' striking power and secured him the $60,000 bonus. Clay Guida claimed Submission of the Night by catching Takanori Gomi in a guillotine choke during a grappling exchange, forcing the tap at 4:27 of the second round in their lightweight opener. Guida's relentless pressure and opportunistic finish earned him $60,000 and marked his third straight submission victory. In total, four fighters shared $240,000 in post-fight bonuses, emphasizing the event's high level of excitement and individual excellence.

Fighter Payouts

The reported a total disclosed fighter payroll of $872,000 for UFC 125, encompassing base salaries and win bonuses for all 22 participants on the card. These figures represent contractual earnings and do not include performance-based incentives such as Fight of the Night or of the Night awards, which are awarded separately. Win bonuses were standardly set to match the base pay for victorious fighters, with exceptions noted for the main event draw between and , where both received their win bonuses despite the outcome. The top earners included Thiago Silva, who received $110,000 ($55,000 base + $55,000 win bonus) for his unanimous decision victory over , and champion , who earned $102,000 ($51,000 base + $51,000 win bonus) following his draw with . Other notable payouts went to ($70,000, $35,000 base + 35,000winbonus),[lightweight](/page/Lightweight)[ClayGuida](/page/ClayGuida)(35,000 win bonus), [lightweight](/page/Lightweight) [Clay Guida](/page/Clay_Guida) (62,000, $31,000 base + $31,000 win bonus), and ($60,000 base). earned $46,000 (base) in defeat to , who took home $42,000 ($21,000 base + $21,000 win bonus), while featherweight Jeremy Stephens secured $36,000 ($18,000 base + $18,000 win bonus). The full breakdown of disclosed payouts is as follows:
FighterBase SalaryWin BonusTotal
$51,000$51,000$102,000
$26,000$26,000$52,000
$21,000$21,000$42,000
$46,000-$46,000
$55,000$55,000$110,000
$60,000-$60,000
$35,000$35,000$70,000
$33,000-$33,000
$31,000$31,000$62,000
$50,000-$50,000
$18,000$18,000$36,000
$31,000-$31,000
$4,000$4,000$8,000
$15,000-$15,000
$8,000$8,000$16,000
$25,000-$25,000
Diego Nunes$10,000$10,000$20,000
Mike Brown$23,000-$23,000
Daniel Roberts$12,000$12,000$24,000
Greg Soto$8,000-$8,000
$12,000$12,000$24,000
Antonio McKee$15,000-$15,000
All payouts were fully disclosed by the commission, with no unreported figures among the participants.

References

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