UFC 154
View on Wikipedia| UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
The poster for UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit | ||||
| Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
| Date | November 17, 2012 | |||
| Venue | Bell Centre | |||
| City | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |||
| Attendance | 17,249[1] | |||
| Total gate | $3,143,000[1] | |||
| Buyrate | 700,000[2] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 17, 2012, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[3][4]
Background
[edit]Parent company Zuffa, LLC produced a UFC Primetime special to promote the title unification match main event.[5] In addition, UFC 154 was shown in more than 350 movie theaters in the United States.[6]
Fabio Maldonado was briefly linked to a bout with Cyrille Diabaté at the event.[7] However, Maldonado was moved to UFC 153 to face Glover Teixeira.[8]Chad Griggs ended up replacing Maldonado to face Diabaté.[9]
Stephen Thompson was expected to face Besam Yousef at the event. However, Thompson was forced out of the bout with a knee injury and was replaced by Matthew Riddle.[10] Yousef was then forced out with injury, and replaced by John Maguire.[11]
A bout between Nick Ring and Costas Philippou was expected to take place at this event. However, the fight was scrapped when Ring fell ill the day of the fight. As a result, Mark Bocek and Rafael Dos Anjos was moved to the main card.[12]
Results
[edit]| Main Card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Welterweight | Georges St-Pierre (c) | def. | Carlos Condit (ic) | Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 50–45, 50–45) | 5 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Welterweight | Johny Hendricks | def. | Martin Kampmann | KO (punch) | 1 | 0:46 | |
| Middleweight | Francis Carmont | def. | Tom Lawlor | Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Lightweight | Rafael dos Anjos | def. | Mark Bocek | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Pablo Garza | def. | Mark Hominick | Decision (unanimous) (29–27, 29–28, 30–26) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Preliminary Card (FX) | |||||||
| Middleweight | Patrick Côté | def. | Alessio Sakara | DQ (punches to the back of the head) | 1 | 1:26 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Cyrille Diabaté | def. | Chad Griggs | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:24 | |
| Lightweight | John Makdessi | def. | Sam Stout | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Antonio Carvalho | def. | Rodrigo Damm | Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Preliminary Card (Facebook and YouTube) | |||||||
| Welterweight | Matthew Riddle | def. | John Maguire | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Ivan Menjivar | def. | Azamat Gashimov | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 2:44 | |
| Featherweight | Darren Elkins | def. | Steven Siler | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ UFC Welterweight Championship unification bout.
Bonus awards
[edit]The following fighters received $70,000 bonuses:[13]
- Fight of the Night: Georges St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit
- Knockout of the Night: Johny Hendricks
- Submission of the Night: Ivan Menjivar
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "UFC 154 draws a reported 17,249 attendance for $3.143 million live gate". MMAjunkie.com. 2012-11-17. Archived from the original on 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (2012-11-29). "George St-Pierre's return estimated at 680–700,000 buys for UFC 154 pay-per-view". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^ "UFC 154 Live on Pay-Per-View: St-Pierre vs. Condit". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ Pishna, Ken (2012-03-21). "UFC Reveals 3 Canadian Events for 2012 and 2013". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ Staff (2012-10-23). "UFC 154 gets 'Primetime' special for Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
- ^ Staff (2012-10-20). "'UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit' headed to movie theaters in November". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
- ^ Fothergill, Steven (2012-09-08). "Cyrille Diabate to Take on Fabio Maldonado at UFC 154 in Montreal". Studiomma.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
- ^ Halvatzis, George Jr. (2012-09-12). "Fabio Maldonado Fills In For Quinton Jackson, Set To Fight Glover Teixeira In Co-Main Event Of UFC 153". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
- ^ Staff (2012-09-19). "Chad Griggs vs. Cyrille Diabate joins Montreal's UFC 154 lineup". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ Staff (2012-10-29). "Matt Riddle replaces Stephen Thompson, meets Besam Yousef at UFC 154". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ Staff (2012-10-31). "John Maguire replaces Besam Yousef, meets Matt Riddle at UFC 154". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
- ^ Staff (2012-11-17). "Ring-Philippou pulled from tonight's UFC 154, Bocek-dos Anjos moves to PPV". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ^ Stupp, Dann (2012-11-17). "UFC 154 bonuses: Hendricks, Menjivar, St-Pierre and Condit earn $70K awards". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
External links
[edit]UFC 154
View on GrokipediaEvent Details
Overview and Promotion
UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view (PPV) event promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on November 17, 2012, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[1] The event served as the promotion's return to Montreal following a two-year hiatus, highlighting a welterweight title unification bout as its central attraction.[4] Promotional efforts for UFC 154 included the UFC Primetime special series, a multi-episode documentary focusing on the main event buildup, with the first installment airing on November 6, 2012, at 10:30 p.m. ET on FUEL TV.[5] To expand reach, the UFC partnered with NCM Fathom Events for theatrical screenings of the PPV main card in over 350 select U.S. movie theaters, accompanied by meet-and-greets featuring more than 20 UFC fighters attending events nationwide.[6][7] Broadcast coverage featured the main card on PPV starting at 10 p.m. ET, preliminary bouts on FX at 8 p.m. ET (including four fights), and additional prelims streaming live on Facebook and YouTube at 6:35 p.m. ET.[8] Internationally, the event was distributed through various networks reaching audiences in over 149 countries and territories.[9] Preliminary estimates projected 680,000 to 700,000 PPV buys, driven significantly by strong Canadian viewership.[4]Venue and Attendance
UFC 154 was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a multi-purpose arena primarily known as the home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens. With a seating capacity of approximately 21,000 for combat sports events, the venue marked the UFC's return to Montreal after a two-year hiatus since UFC 124 in December 2010.[10] The choice of the Bell Centre underscored the event's significance as a high-profile spectacle in a city with a passionate hockey heritage, adapted for mixed martial arts to accommodate the Octagon and surrounding production.[11] The event drew an announced attendance of 17,249 spectators, generating a live gate revenue of $3,143,000 from ticket sales.[3] While not a complete sellout, the turnout reflected strong local interest, bolstered by the UFC's strategic decision to host in the hometown of welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, whose popularity helped maximize attendance in a market known for its dedicated MMA fanbase.[12] This positioning contributed to the event's economic boost for Montreal, drawing fans and supporting local businesses through increased tourism and spending around the high-stakes title unification bout.[13]Background
Title Unification Context
Georges St-Pierre entered UFC 154 as the undisputed UFC welterweight champion with a professional record of 22-2.[14] He had last defended his title at UFC 129 on April 30, 2011, defeating Jake Shields via unanimous decision, but was forced to vacate active competition following a torn ACL in his right knee sustained during training preparations for a scheduled bout against Nick Diaz.[15][16] This injury required reconstructive surgery in December 2011 and led to an approximately 19-month layoff—his longest in the sport—raising questions about ring rust upon his return while underscoring the physical demands of title defenses in the division.[1] During St-Pierre's absence, Carlos Condit captured the UFC interim welterweight title, becoming the division's second interim champion in organizational history.[17] With a record of 28-5 entering UFC 154, Condit earned the belt by defeating Nick Diaz via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 143 on February 4, 2012, in a fight that filled the void left by St-Pierre's injury and showcased Condit's resilience as a replacement title contender.[18][19] His path highlighted the UFC's strategy of crowning interim champions to maintain momentum in key divisions amid prolonged champion absences, a practice that had previously been employed in welterweight only once before—when St-Pierre himself held an interim title in 2007 during Matt Hughes' recovery.[17] The main event at UFC 154 represented a title unification bout, pitting St-Pierre against Condit to merge the undisputed and interim belts into a single championship—the first such unification in the UFC since St-Pierre's own victory over Matt Serra at UFC 83 in April 2008.[20] This matchup was driven by the need to resolve the divided welterweight landscape created by St-Pierre's extended recovery, ensuring the promotion's premier 170-pound title returned to undisputed status while capitalizing on Condit's strong performances as a placeholder champion.[21] The welterweight division leading into UFC 154 featured a competitive field of contenders, with Nick Diaz positioned as the original challenger to St-Pierre before his interim loss to Condit, and Jake Ellenberger emerging as a knockout artist who had been positioned as a potential next in line for a title opportunity earlier in the year.[22][23] These figures underscored the depth and activity in the division during St-Pierre's hiatus, setting the stage for the high-stakes unification to reestablish hierarchy at the top.[23]Card Changes and Injuries
The UFC 154 card underwent several modifications in the weeks leading up to the event due to injuries and scheduling shifts. Initially, light heavyweight Cyrille Diabaté was set to face Fábio Maldonado after Diabaté stepped in for the retired Jørgen Kruth in a bout originally slated for UFC on Fuel TV 5. However, when Quinton Jackson withdrew from UFC 153 due to injury, Maldonado was reassigned to replace him against Glover Teixeira on that card.[24][25] Chad Griggs, a heavyweight making his light heavyweight debut at 205 pounds, was then brought in on short notice to fill the vacancy against Diabaté, marking a significant adjustment to maintain the bout's placement on the preliminary card.[26] In the welterweight division, multiple changes reshaped an undercard matchup. Stephen Thompson was originally scheduled to face Besam Yousef but withdrew due to a knee injury requiring surgery, prompting Matt Riddle to step in as his replacement.[27] Shortly thereafter, Yousef was forced out of the fight for undisclosed reasons, and John Maguire was announced as his substitute to meet Riddle, altering the matchup to feature two grapplers with contrasting styles.[28][24] These successive replacements highlighted the fluidity of the undercard assembly but ensured the slot remained filled with competitive talent. A lightweight bout between Mark Bocek and Rafael dos Anjos, initially planned for the preliminary card, was elevated to the main card on the day of the event following the cancellation of Nick Ring's middleweight fight against Costa Philippou. Ring had fallen ill with a high fever and virus after weigh-ins, leading to medical clearance denial by Quebec athletic commission doctors.[29][30] This last-minute shift preserved the event's structure, promoting Bocek vs. dos Anjos to replace the absent main card opener and maintaining overall card depth despite the forfeiture.[31] Additional minor adjustments included the addition of a featherweight clash between Antonio Carvalho and Rodrigo Damm, both coming off recent UFC victories and added to bolster the preliminary lineup with regional appeal for the Montreal audience.[32] These changes, driven primarily by injuries and illness, impacted matchmaking by introducing short-notice opportunities like Griggs' weight class transition, which tested fighters' adaptability while keeping the card robust with 11 total bouts.Fight Results
Main Card Outcomes
The main card of UFC 154 featured five bouts across multiple weight classes, headlined by a welterweight title unification match. All fights were contested under unified MMA rules, with outcomes determined by judges' scorecards or referee stoppages.| Weight Class | Fighters | Result | Method | Round/Time | Key Details and Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welterweight Championship | Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit | St-Pierre def. Condit | Unanimous Decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) | 5 rounds (25:00) | St-Pierre outlanded Condit in significant strikes (71 of 132 landed at 54% accuracy vs. Condit's 36 of 148 at 24%), secured 7 of 8 takedown attempts, and dominated with ground control despite a third-round head kick knockdown from Condit.[33][1] |
| Welterweight | Johny Hendricks vs. Martin Kampmann | Hendricks def. Kampmann | KO (punch) | 1 / 0:46 | Hendricks dropped Kampmann with a straight left hand to the chin early in the fight, leading to an immediate referee stoppage as Kampmann was unable to intelligently defend.[34][35] |
| Middleweight | Francis Carmont vs. Tom Lawlor | Carmont def. Lawlor | Split Decision (29-28 Carmont, 28-29 Lawlor, 29-28 Carmont) | 3 rounds (15:00) | The closely contested fight saw Lawlor press for takedowns throughout, but Carmont's effective counter-striking and defensive grappling earned him the majority on the scorecards in a bout noted for its back-and-forth action and controversial judging.[36][1] |
| Lightweight | Rafael dos Anjos vs. Mark Bocek | dos Anjos def. Bocek | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 rounds (15:00) | dos Anjos controlled the grappling exchanges with 4 of 5 successful takedowns and outstruck Bocek significantly (54 of 134 landed at 40% vs. Bocek's 19 of 59 at 32%), mixing punches, elbows, and knees while stuffing Bocek's submission attempts.[37][35] |
| Featherweight | Pablo Garza vs. Mark Hominick | Garza def. Hominick | Unanimous Decision (29-27, 30-26, 29-28) | 3 rounds (15:00) | Garza overwhelmed Hominick—a Canadian fighter drawing local crowd support—with high-volume striking (83 of 197 significant strikes landed at 42% accuracy) and brief ground control, opening cuts on Hominick's face despite Hominick's higher striking efficiency (39 of 66 at 59%).[38][1] |
Preliminary Card Outcomes
The preliminary card of UFC 154 consisted of seven fights across multiple weight classes, airing on FX and Facebook prior to the main card. These bouts showcased a mix of quick finishes and decisions, with two submissions in the first round highlighting the action.| Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight | Patrick Côté def. Alessio Sakara | Disqualification (punches to back of head) | 1 | 1:26 | Referee Mario Yamasaki intervened after Sakara delivered illegal strikes while Côté was grounded, leading to the stoppage.[35] |
| Light Heavyweight | Cyrille Diabaté def. Chad Griggs | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:24 | Diabaté capitalized on a short-notice matchup by taking Griggs' back after a scramble and securing the choke for a quick finish.[35] |
| Lightweight | John Makdessi def. Sam Stout | Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | Makdessi controlled the striking exchanges over three rounds, emphasizing precise leg kicks and jabs to outpoint the durable Stout.[35] |
| Featherweight | Antonio Carvalho def. Rodrigo Damm | Split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | The closely contested bout went to a controversial split verdict, with Carvalho edging out Damm through aggressive pressure and volume striking despite mixed judge scoring.[35][39] |
| Welterweight | Matthew Riddle def. John Maguire | Unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | Riddle dominated with grappling control, using takedowns and ground control to secure the victory in a wrestling-heavy affair.[35] |
| Bantamweight | Ivan Menjivar def. Azamat Gashimov | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 2:44 | Menjivar executed a technical submission sequence from the top position, transitioning smoothly to trap Gashimov's arm for the tapout.[35] |
| Featherweight | Darren Elkins def. Steven Siler | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | Elkins overwhelmed Siler with relentless wrestling pressure, securing takedowns and top control to earn a lopsided decision.[35] |
Awards and Aftermath
Performance Bonuses
Following the event, the Ultimate Fighting Championship awarded its standard performance bonuses to recognize standout efforts in UFC 154. Each bonus was valued at $70,000 and selected through the organization's post-event review process, typically involving input from UFC executives and matchmakers.[40] The Fight of the Night award went to the main event matchup between welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and interim champion Carlos Condit, honored for their intense five-round battle featuring back-and-forth action and resilience after St-Pierre's extended layoff.[40][41] Johny Hendricks earned Knockout of the Night for his explosive 46-second left-hand knockout of Martin Kampmann in the co-main event, showcasing his striking power early in the welterweight bout.[40][41] On the preliminary card, Ivan Menjivar received Submission of the Night for his rapid first-round armbar finish against Azamat Gashimov in their bantamweight clash, a technique that particularly impressed UFC President Dana White.[40][41]| Category | Recipients | Bonus Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fight of the Night | Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit | $70,000 each |
| Knockout of the Night | Johny Hendricks | $70,000 |
| Submission of the Night | Ivan Menjivar | $70,000 |