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UFC 184
UFC 184
from Wikipedia
UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano
The poster for UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateFebruary 28, 2015 (2015-02-28)
VenueStaples Center
CityLos Angeles, California
Attendance16,577[1]
Total gate$2,675,560[1]
Buyrate600,000[2]
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos

UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano was a mixed martial arts event held on February 28, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.[3]

Background

[edit]

A UFC Middleweight Championship bout between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort was expected to serve as the event headliner. The much delayed pairing was previously scheduled to take place at UFC 173 and also at UFC 181. However, on January 30, the UFC announced that Weidman had pulled out of the bout, citing an injury he sustained in training.[4] Subsequently, a UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Ronda Rousey and top contender Cat Zingano was promoted to the main event.[5] Belfort was offered an interim title fight first against Lyoto Machida and then Gegard Mousasi as a replacement for Weidman, but he declined and stated that he would only fight for the full title.[6][7][8]

Neil Magny was briefly linked to a bout with Josh Koscheck at the event.[9] However, Magny was pulled from the fight in favor of a bout with Kiichi Kunimoto at UFC Fight Night 60. Koscheck faced Jake Ellenberger instead.[10]

A bout between touted newcomer Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington, originally booked for UFC 181 and ultimately scrapped due to Holm being injured, served as the co-headliner.[11][12]

Mark Muñoz was very briefly scheduled to a bout with Caio Magalhães at the event.[13] However, shortly after the bout was announced by the UFC, Magalhães indicated that he would not be able to compete at the event due to a lingering infection after recent dental surgery, which would require additional surgery.[14] Muñoz stayed on the card and faced returning UFC veteran Roan Carneiro.[12][15]

A heavyweight bout between former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir and Antônio Silva, originally scheduled for the main card, was moved up a week and served as the event headliner for UFC Fight Night 61.[16]

Ronaldo Souza was expected to face Yoel Romero at this event. However, on January 15, Souza was forced to withdraw from the bout with pneumonia. The pairing was left intact and the fight rescheduled for UFC on Fox 15.[17][18]

Yancy Medeiros was slated to face Tony Ferguson at this event, but an injured foot forced him out of the bout. On the same day, Gleison Tibau was announced as his replacement.[19]

Results

[edit]
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Women's Bantamweight Ronda Rousey (c) def. Cat Zingano Submission (straight armbar) 1 0:14 [a]
Women's Bantamweight Holly Holm def. Raquel Pennington Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 30–27) 3 5:00
Welterweight Jake Ellenberger def. Josh Koscheck Submission (north-south choke) 2 4:20
Welterweight Alan Jouban def. Richard Walsh KO (elbow and punches) 1 2:19
Lightweight Tony Ferguson def. Gleison Tibau Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:37
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
Middleweight Roan Carneiro def. Mark Muñoz Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 1:40
Bantamweight Roman Salazar vs. Norifumi Yamamoto No Contest (accidental eye poke) 2 2:37 [b]
Welterweight Tim Means def. Dhiego Lima TKO (punches) 1 2:17
Heavyweight Derrick Lewis def. Ruan Potts TKO (punches) 2 3:18
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight Valmir Lázaro def. James Krause Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Featherweight Masio Fullen def. Alex Torres Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
  1. ^ For the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
  2. ^ An accidental eye poke rendered Salazar unable to continue; as the fight had not reached the third round, it was declared a No Contest.

[20]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[21]

  • Fight of the Night: None awarded
  • Performance of the Night: Ronda Rousey, Jake Ellenberger, Tony Ferguson and Tim Means

Reported payout

[edit]

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the California 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.[22]

  • Ronda Rousey: $130,000 ($65,000 win bonus) def. Cat Zingano: $100,000
  • Holly Holm: $50,000 ($25,000 win bonus) def. Raquel Pennington: $10,000
  • Jake Ellenberger: $136,000 ($68,000 win bonus) def. Josh Koscheck: $78,000
  • Alan Jouban: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Richard Walsh: $8,000
  • Tony Ferguson: $48,000 ($24,000 win bonus) def. Gleison Tibau: $50,000
  • Roan Carneiro: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) def. Mark Muñoz: $47,000
  • Ramon Salazar: $8,000 vs. Norifumi Yamamoto: $15,000 ^
  • Tim Means: $34,000 ($17,000 win bonus) def. Dhiego Lima: $10,000
  • Derrick Lewis: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus) def. Ruan Potts: $10,000
  • Valmir Lazaro: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. James Krause: $15,000
  • Masio Fullen: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Alexander Torres: $8,000

^ Both fighters earned show money; bout declared No Contest.[22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano was a event produced by the (UFC) that took place on February 28, 2015, at the Staples Center in , . Originally slated to be headlined by a UFC Middleweight Championship bout between champion and challenger , the event underwent significant changes due to injuries; the bout was canceled after Weidman pulled out with a rib injury, leading to the promotion of a UFC Women's Championship fight between undefeated champion and top contender to the main event slot. In the headline bout, Rousey quickly overwhelmed Zingano with a takedown and submitted her via armbar at just 14 seconds of the first round, achieving the fastest finish in UFC title fight history and marking her third successful title defense, all of which ended in the first round. The co-main event pitted women's bantamweight contenders against in Holm's UFC debut, with the former professional boxer earning a victory after three rounds; this pairing made UFC 184 the first UFC event to feature women both headlining and co-headlining. The full card included 11 bouts across multiple weight classes, highlighted by a remarkable eight stoppages—including seven in the first round—tying a UFC record for the most finishes in a single event at the time and underscoring the night's emphasis on decisive outcomes.

Event Overview

Date and Venue

UFC 184 took place on February 28, 2015. The event was held at the Staples Center in , , a premier multi-purpose arena known for hosting major sporting and entertainment events, including home games for the , , and . The venue has a seating capacity of approximately 20,000 for and configurations, making it a significant location for UFC pay-per-view events on the West Coast. With an of 17,654, UFC 184 marked the largest crowd for a UFC event at the Staples Center at that time, surpassing previous shows there. Scheduled in Pacific Standard Time (PST), the event followed standard UFC timing for West Coast cards, with early prelims beginning at 4:00 PM PST, prelims at 5:00 PM PST, and the main card starting at 7:00 PM PST. This alignment catered to local audiences while accommodating national broadcast schedules.

Promotion and Broadcast Details

UFC 184 was promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the leading mixed martial arts promotion organization, which handled all aspects of event production, marketing, and distribution. The event's main card was broadcast on (PPV) through and traditional cable providers starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, while the preliminary card aired on beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET, and early prelims were available on from 7:00 p.m. ET. The PPV main card generated an estimated 600,000 buys, reflecting strong viewership for the women's title bout headliner amid card adjustments due to injuries. Billed as "Rousey vs. Zingano," the event's promotional theme centered on the anticipated clash between UFC women's champion and top contender , emphasizing Rousey's dominance and Zingano's aggressive style in marketing materials and trailers. The English-language broadcast featured commentary from play-by-play announcer and color analyst , providing analysis throughout the telecast.

Background and Preparation

Original Scheduling and Card Alterations

UFC 184 was originally slated to be headlined by a UFC Championship bout between champion and top contender on February 28, 2015, at the Staples Center in , . The matchup had been delayed multiple times previously due to injuries and regulatory issues, with the fight finally booked for this event following cancellations at (due to Belfort's withdrawal over the TRT ban) and (due to Weidman's hand injury). On January 30, 2015, Weidman was forced to withdraw from the main event after sustaining a injury during —a tear in the that required recovery time estimated at several months. This marked the second postponement due to the champion's injuries, with the overall matchup delayed three times. In response, the UFC offered replacement opponents for the main event slot, including and an interim title bout against , but declined all options, opting to wait for a direct title opportunity against Weidman instead. With the original headliner unavailable, UFC officials quickly pivoted to elevate the women's title fight between champion and No. 1 contender , which had been originally scheduled for before being postponed due to Zingano's back injury. The Rousey-Zingano bout was confirmed as the new main event on the same day as Weidman's withdrawal, preserving the appeal of the card. The undercard also experienced significant alterations in the lead-up to the event. In mid-January 2015, contender Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza withdrew from a highly anticipated matchup against due to a of , which sidelined him for several weeks. The bout was cancelled and later rescheduled for UFC 194. This change was announced on January 15, 2015, and highlighted the depth of the division at the time. As a result, a bout between and was elevated to the main card. Other preliminary bouts saw shifts as well, including a targeted welterweight clash between and that was initially reported in late November but ultimately scrapped without a stated reason; Koscheck was instead paired with . These modifications, occurring primarily between late and early February 2015, reflected the challenges of finalizing a high-profile UFC card amid unforeseen medical setbacks.

Build-Up to Key Matchups

The main event of UFC 184 pitted undefeated UFC women's champion against No. 1 contender , both entering with perfect professional records—Rousey at 10-0 and Zingano at 9-0—creating significant anticipation as a potential defining moment for women's MMA. Rousey's dominance was highlighted by her rapid finishes in prior title defenses, showcasing her Olympic-level and striking evolution, while Zingano's aggressive, unpredictable style, including her wrestling background and knockout power, positioned her as Rousey's most formidable challenger to date. In pre-fight media, Rousey emphasized the threat posed by Zingano's tenacity and , noting her resilience as a key factor that could test Rousey's undefeated streak in ways previous opponents had not. The co-main event featured Holly Holm's highly anticipated UFC debut against , a pivotal women's clash contrasting Holm's elite pedigree—where she held multiple world titles—with Pennington's strengths in and physicality. Pennington, a rising contender with a background in wrestling and , expressed confidence that her ground game and strength would neutralize Holm's striking advantage, setting up a stylistic matchup that drew interest for its potential to showcase diverse skill sets in the division. Other notable bouts included the matchup between and , renewing tensions among UFC veterans as both sought to halt three-fight losing skids in a high-stakes elimination-style fight that evoked the division's competitive history. In the division, faced in a last-minute showcase, with Ferguson's unorthodox four-fight winning streak on the line against the experienced Brazilian veteran's prowess, highlighting emerging talent in a reshuffled card impacted by injuries. At the February 27, 2015, weigh-ins and media day in , tensions escalated during intense staredowns, particularly between Rousey and Zingano, where the challenger's aggressive posture and the champion's steely response drew crowd reactions and underscored the personal stakes without any major altercations. Verbal exchanges remained respectful yet pointed, with Zingano declaring her intent to overwhelm Rousey relentlessly, amplifying the event's promotional narrative of an inevitable clash of wills.

Fight Card and Results

Main Card Outcomes

The main event featured UFC women's champion defending her title against in a highly anticipated matchup following months of buildup around Zingano's aggressive wrestling style. Immediately after the bell, Zingano charged forward with a flying knee attempt and followed with a takedown shot, but Rousey countered explosively by sprawling and executing a head-and-arm throw to transition into . From there, Rousey swiftly isolated Zingano's arm and locked in an armbar, forcing the tap at just 0:14 of the first round to retain her championship. This marked Rousey's sixth consecutive first-round finish in the UFC and the fastest title fight victory in history at the time. In the co-main event, unbeaten Holly Holm faced Raquel Pennington in a women's bantamweight bout that showcased competitive striking exchanges throughout three rounds. Holm controlled the early action in the first round with precise jabs, side kicks to the body, and knees in the clinch, while Pennington responded with counters but struggled to find consistent rhythm, earning Holm the round on most scorecards. The second round continued Holm's dominance as she landed high kicks and maintained distance, though Pennington increased her pressure late. In the third, Pennington stunned Holm with a right hand that dropped her briefly, but Holm recovered and fended off further advances, leading to a close frame; judges scored it 29-28 for Holm in a split decision victory. This win propelled Holm toward future title contention in the division. The clash between veterans and delivered a gritty battle marked by mutual respect and hard-fought exchanges. In the first round, Ellenberger connected with a stiff right hand on the feet, prompting Koscheck to secure a takedown midway through, though Ellenberger quickly reversed and worked from top position before the round ended in a standup scramble, favoring Ellenberger 10-9. The second round saw Koscheck hesitate after absorbing a punch, allowing Ellenberger to clinch and drop levels for a attempt; as Koscheck defended, Ellenberger transitioned to a north-south position and readjusted the , forcing the tap at 4:20 via submission. Both fighters, with over a decade of UFC experience, exchanged post-fight praise for the intensity of the "veterans' war." Alan Jouban produced an upset highlight in his bout against Richard Walsh, a TUF alum making his UFC debut, by capitalizing on early aggression to secure a . Jouban opened with a body kick to test range, then closed distance to land a sharp that rocked Walsh against the , followed by a flurry of punches that dropped him and prompted intervention at 2:19 of the first round. The finish underscored Jouban's striking precision and marked a significant rebound win after a prior loss, while Walsh's inexperience was exposed in the high-stakes main card environment. Opening the main card, Tony Ferguson demonstrated his grappling prowess against Gleison Tibau in a lightweight matchup filled with transitional action. Ferguson caught Tibau's low kick early, countering with a right cross that staggered him and allowed Ferguson to take the back in a scramble; from there, he sunk in a rear-naked choke, forcing the tap at 2:37 of the first round. The submission victory extended Ferguson's win streak to five and highlighted his unorthodox wrestling transitions in what served as a grappling clinic against the durable Brazilian veteran.

Preliminary Card Outcomes

The preliminary card for UFC 184 featured six bouts across , , , , , and divisions, airing on and . These undercard fights showcased a mix of quick finishes, a controversial stoppage, and closely contested decisions, contributing to the event's overall excitement despite significant card changes due to injuries earlier in the week. In the opening middleweight bout, quickly overcame Mark Munoz with superior grappling, securing a technical submission via rear-naked choke at 1:40 of the first round after transitioning from a attempt. The bantamweight matchup between Roman Salazar and Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto was ruled a no contest at 2:37 of the second round due to an accidental eye poke that rendered Salazar unable to continue, halting what had been a competitive striking exchange. Tim Means made a statement in his welterweight clash against Dhiego Lima, delivering a barrage of punches for a TKO victory at 2:17 of the first round and highlighting the intensity of Lima's UFC bout. Heavyweight action saw Derrick Lewis overpower Ruan Potts with ground-and-pound strikes, earning a TKO at 3:18 of the second round after dominating positionally and showcasing his raw knockout power. The lightweight bout between Brazilian Valmir Lázaro and James Krause went the full distance, with Lázaro capturing a victory after three five-minute rounds marked by international flair, effective jabbing, and resilient takedown defense. Closing the preliminary card, featherweights Masio Fullen and Alex Torres engaged in a technical battle, where Fullen edged out a win over three rounds through precise clinch work and counterstriking, overcoming Torres's early pressure.
BoutResultMethodRound/Time
Middleweight: Roan Carneiro vs. Mark MunozCarneiro def. MunozTechnical Submission (rear-naked choke)1 / 1:40
Bantamweight: Roman Salazar vs. Norifumi "Kid" YamamotoNo ContestAccidental eye poke2 / 2:37
Welterweight: Tim Means vs. Dhiego LimaMeans def. LimaTKO (punches)1 / 2:17
Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis vs. Ruan PottsLewis def. PottsTKO (punches)2 / 3:18
Lightweight: Valmir Lázaro vs. James KrauseLázaro def. KrauseSplit Decision (3 rounds, 5:00 each)3 / 15:00
Featherweight: Masio Fullen vs. Alex TorresFullen def. TorresSplit Decision (3 rounds, 5:00 each)3 / 15:00

Post-Event Analysis

Bonus Awards and Recognitions

At UFC 184, four fighters received Performance of the Night bonuses, each worth $50,000, for their exceptional finishes during the event. earned the award for her record-setting 14-second armbar submission victory over in the main event. was recognized for his first-round submission of on the main card. secured his bonus with a second-round D'Arce choke finish against in the bout. In the preliminary card, claimed his award for a first-round TKO of via strikes. No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded, as the event lacked a standout three-round battle that met the criteria for the most exciting matchup, influenced in part by the rapid conclusion of the headline fight. The bonuses were announced by UFC President Dana White during the post-fight press conference held immediately after the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. This standard procedure allows for real-time evaluation by UFC executives based on fight outcomes and highlights. Since their introduction in 2005 and expansion in 2014 to include two Performance of the Night awards alongside Fight of the Night, UFC bonuses have served to incentivize aggressive styles and quick finishes, rewarding fighters for delivering high-impact performances that enhance event appeal and align with the promotion's emphasis on decisive outcomes over decisions.

Fighter Payouts and Financials

The disclosed fighter payouts for UFC 184, as reported to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), totaled $863,000 in base salaries and win bonuses. These figures represent the guaranteed purses and performance incentives paid directly by the UFC, excluding revenue shares, sponsorship earnings, or additional locker room bonuses. Among the participants, earned the highest disclosed amount of $136,000, comprising a $68,000 base pay and a matching $68,000 win bonus for his victory over . , the event's main event headliner, received $130,000, including $65,000 base pay and a $65,000 win bonus for her title defense against . Zingano earned a flat $100,000 with no win bonus, while took home $50,000 ($25,000 base plus $25,000 win bonus) for defeating . Other notable earners included , who received $48,000 ($24,000 base plus $24,000 win bonus) for his win over , and with $20,000 ($10,000 base plus $10,000 win bonus) against Richard Walsh. earned $34,000 ($17,000 base plus $17,000 win bonus) in his bout with . Fight night performance bonuses, such as those for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night, provided additional undisclosed compensation to select winners, further supplementing these base figures.
FighterBase PayWin BonusTotal
$68,000$68,000$136,000
$65,000$65,000$130,000
$100,000-$100,000
$25,000$25,000$50,000
$24,000$24,000$48,000
$10,000$10,000$20,000
$17,000$17,000$34,000

Legacy and Impact

Attendance, Gate, and Viewership

UFC 184, held at the Staples Center in , , on February 28, 2015, attracted 16,577 paid spectators, marking a strong turnout for the venue despite significant card changes due to injuries. The event generated a live gate of $2,675,560 from ticket sales, as announced by UFC President during the post-fight press conference, reflecting robust local interest in the women's-headlined pay-per-view. Broadcast viewership underscored the event's appeal, with the pay-per-view main card estimated at 590,000 buys according to industry observer , a figure driven in part by the vs. main event. The preliminary card on averaged 1.205 million viewers, ranking as the third-highest rated prelims in the network's history at the time and highlighting the draw of undercard bouts like vs. . In the context of 2015 UFC pay-per-views, UFC 184's 590,000 buys placed it below the January's (approximately 650,000 buys) but ahead of subsequent events like (275,000 buys), demonstrating that the women's title fight sustained solid commercial performance amid a year of variable card quality. This outcome affirmed the viability of female-led headliners in driving revenue, even after losing the original main event matchup. The event contributed to the UFC's ongoing economic footprint in , where the $2.675 million gate and high attendance bolstered the Staples Center's role as a key venue, supporting local jobs and tourism in a region that hosted multiple UFC cards that year to foster growth. By drawing its highest attendance in over two decades, UFC 184 helped solidify the promotion's presence in the market, aiding broader regional economic activity through event-related spending.

Career Implications for Participants

Ronda Rousey's victory at UFC 184 extended her professional record to 12-0 and marked her fifth successful defense of the UFC women's title, achieved via armbar submission against in a record-setting 14 seconds—the fastest finish in UFC title fight history. This performance further entrenched Rousey's status as the dominant force in women's MMA, showcasing her unparalleled grappling prowess and contributing to her legacy as a trailblazer who elevated the division's visibility before her first defeat later that year at UFC 193. Rousey retired from MMA in 2016 after two more losses, transitioning to with (2018–2023) and acting roles. The loss to Rousey represented Cat Zingano's first professional defeat, snapping her undefeated streak and temporarily sidelining her from immediate title contention as she processed the humbling setback. Zingano rebounded with a win over in July 2015 but faced subsequent challenges, including a loss to at , which preceded a prolonged hiatus influenced by personal tragedies and considerations, before her eventual return to the in 2018. She continued fighting through 2024, securing notable wins over fighters like (2018 TKO loss but competitive) and (2023), before stepping away. Holly Holm's split decision victory over in the co-main event served as her UFC debut and propelled her into the women's rankings at No. 10, positioning her as a credible challenger in a division dominated by Rousey. This win, combined with her subsequent victory over , earned Holm the title shot against Rousey at , where she delivered the iconic upset via second-round knockout, dethroning the champion and reshaping the division's hierarchy. Holm held the title until 2016 and remained a top contender, earning multiple title shots through 2020 and continuing to compete as of 2025. Among other participants, Jake Ellenberger's first-round submission of halted a three-fight skid and provided a career resurgence, marking his first submission win in nearly nine years and extending his tenure despite later injuries and losses that led to his 2021 retirement. Tony Ferguson's rear-naked choke finish against in 2:37 of the first round extended his to five and debuted him at No. 13 in the UFC rankings, accelerating his ascent toward interim title contention years later. As of 2025, Ferguson holds the record for the longest active in UFC history (12 fights, 2013–2019) but has endured an eight-fight losing streak since, with his most recent bout a 2024 loss at UFC 309. Alan Jouban's first-round knockout of Richard Walsh via elbow and punches highlighted his striking potential in his second UFC appearance, overcoming a prior controversial loss and establishing him as an emerging prospect amid a string of victories. Jouban retired in 2020 after a 7-4 UFC record. UFC 184 stood as a pivotal milestone for women's MMA, becoming the first major UFC event both headlined and co-headlined by women's bouts—Rousey vs. Zingano and Holm vs. Pennington—which underscored the growing viability of female headliners and influenced the promotion's shift toward more gender-balanced cards in subsequent years.

References

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