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UFC 186
UFC 186
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UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi
The poster for UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateApril 25, 2015 (2015-04-25)
VenueBell Centre
CityMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Attendance10,154[1]
Total gate$668,000[1]
Buyrate125,000[2]
Event chronology
UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt

UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi was a mixed martial arts event held on April 25, 2015, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[3]

Background

[edit]

The event was the seventh event that the UFC has hosted in Montreal, Quebec.[3]

The event was expected to be headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship rematch between the then current champion T.J. Dillashaw and former champion Renan Barão.[4] However, on March 24, it was announced that Dillashaw had to pull out of the fight due to a broken rib and the fight was postponed.[5] A UFC Flyweight Championship bout between current champion Demetrious Johnson and top contender Kyoji Horiguchi, originally scheduled for the co-main event, served as the event's headliner.[6]

A welterweight bout between Rory MacDonald and Héctor Lombard was expected to take place at the event. However, on February 10, the UFC announced the removal of both participants from the card and indicated that the pairing had been scrapped.[7] It was later revealed that the fight was canceled due to Lombard's failed drug test from UFC 182.[8] Subsequently, it was announced that MacDonald would receive a title shot against current champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 189.[9]

Cláudio Silva was expected to face Nordine Taleb at the event. However, Silva pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Chris Clements.[10]

Abel Trujillo was expected to face John Makdessi at the event. However, on April 1, it was announced that Trujillo had pulled out of the fight due to a broken arm and was replaced by promotional newcomer Shane Campbell. The fight was contested at a catchweight of 160 lb.[11]

Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson was expected to make his promotional return against Fábio Maldonado at the co-main event. However, on April 7, Bellator MMA, Jackson's most recent employer, was granted an injunction by a New Jersey Superior Court judge preventing him from competing after it was alleged that he breached his Bellator contract.[12] Three days later the UFC announced that Jackson would be replaced by former ice hockey player Steve Bossé and stated "at the moment, Jackson and his representatives plan to appeal the court’s order."[13] On April 21, the court injunction blocking Jackson's return was lifted. The bout maintained its original co-main event status and was contested at a catchweight of 215 lb.[14] Bossé did not compete at the event, but received his show money.[15]

Results

[edit]
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Flyweight Demetrious Johnson (c) def. Kyoji Horiguchi Submission (armbar) 5 4:59 [a]
Catchweight (215 lb) Quinton Jackson def. Fábio Maldonado Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Michael Bisping def. C. B. Dollaway Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Catchweight (160 lb) John Makdessi def. Shane Campbell TKO (punches) 1 4:53
Bantamweight Thomas Almeida def. Yves Jabouin TKO (punches) 1 4:18
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
Welterweight Patrick Côté def. Joe Riggs Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Women's Bantamweight Alexis Davis def. Sarah Kaufman Submission (armbar) 2 1:52
Lightweight Chad Laprise def. Bryan Barberena Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Lightweight Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. David Michaud Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 1:36
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Welterweight Nordine Taleb def. Chris Clements Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Women's Strawweight Valérie Létourneau def. Jessica Rakoczy Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Women's Strawweight Randa Markos def. Aisling Daly Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
  1. ^ For the UFC Flyweight Championship. Latest finish in UFC history.

[16]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[17]

  • Fight of the Night: Chad Laprise vs. Bryan Barberena
  • Performance of the Night: Demetrious Johnson and Thomas Almeida

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi was a event produced by the (UFC) on April 25, 2015, at the in , , . The pay-per-view main card was headlined by a UFC Flyweight Championship defense by against undefeated challenger , marking Johnson's fifth title defense in the division. The co-main event featured a bout between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, in his return to the UFC after contractual disputes with , and Fabio Maldonado. Originally announced in January 2015, the event was slated to be headlined by a title rematch between champion and former champion , following Dillashaw's upset knockout victory over Barão at in 2014. However, Dillashaw withdrew on March 24, 2015, due to a fractured sustained in , leading to the bout's cancellation and the elevation of the Johnson-Horiguchi flyweight to main event status. The co-main slot, initially planned for Rory MacDonald versus Hector Lombard, also fell through due to Lombard's removal following a failed , paving the way for Jackson's matchup. These changes contributed to a revised card that emphasized Johnson's dominance and Jackson's comeback narrative, though the event faced criticism for lacking the anticipated star power of the original lineup. In the main event, Johnson retained his title via a fifth-round armbar submission over Horiguchi at 4:59, extending his UFC flyweight win streak to seven while maintaining an undefeated record aside from one draw. Jackson won the co-main by over Maldonado, marking a successful UFC return despite a lackluster performance. Other notable results included Michael Bisping's victory over in the opener of the main card and Alexis Davis's second-round submission of in a women's bout. The full 12-fight card saw seven decisions, three submissions, and two knockouts, with a reported attendance of 10,154 and a live gate of $668,000.

Background

Event announcement and original plans

UFC 186 was officially announced on January 8, 2015, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to Montreal's on April 25, 2015, marking the promotion's fifth event in the city since in 2008. The scheduling came amid ongoing efforts to revive UFC's presence in following the last Montreal card at in March 2013, with promotional materials emphasizing the venue's history of hosting high-profile bouts featuring local talent and international stars. On January 17, 2015, the UFC revealed the original main event as a championship rematch between defending champion and former titleholder , a bout delayed from prior scheduling attempts after Dillashaw captured the belt via fifth-round TKO over Barão at in May 2014. Initial co-main event discussions centered on a clash between Canadian contender Rory MacDonald and Cuban striker Hector Lombard, positioned as a potential showcase for North American MMA rivalries. The buildup highlighted Montreal's legacy in mixed martial arts, including past events that drew record crowds and featured Canadian champions like , while spotlighting homegrown fighters such as MacDonald on the card to capitalize on national pride. Among early fight announcements, former UFC champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's return was confirmed for the card against Fabio Maldonado, following his re-signing with the UFC in December 2014 after resolving contractual disputes with . These bookings aimed to build excitement for a stacked lineup blending title action, veteran comebacks, and regional appeal. Subsequent injuries and legal issues led to significant alterations to the fight card.

Cancellations and card alterations

The UFC 186 event underwent significant alterations due to a series of injuries and a failed drug test, reshaping much of the card from its original configuration. In late March 2015, sustained a fractured rib during training, forcing him to withdraw from the scheduled main event rematch against former . This injury scrapped the anticipated title bout, which had been positioned as the headline fight following the event's initial announcement. To fill the void, UFC officials quickly elevated the flyweight title fight between champion and challenger to main event status on March 24, 2015. Johnson, entering the bout on a streak of six consecutive title defenses, aimed to extend his reign in the division during what would become his seventh successful defense. Earlier in February 2015, the co-main event slot was affected when contender Hector Lombard tested positive for the desoxymethyltestosterone following his victory, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled bout against Rory MacDonald. The positive test, collected on January 3, 2015, was announced on February 10, resulting in Lombard's removal from the card and a one-year suspension from the . The light heavyweight bout between and Fabio Maldonado proceeded as planned despite legal challenges from , which briefly halted Jackson's participation via injunction before it was overturned days before the event. On the preliminary card, lightweight John Makdessi's opponent switched from to Shane Campbell at a of 160 pounds after Trujillo withdrew due to injury. Other shifts included the bout between Patrick Côté and , which replaced an earlier planned matchup amid ongoing card adjustments. The alterations also introduced notable debut opportunities, such as the women's strawweight fight between Jessica Rákoczy and , marking Létourneau's division debut after competing at and Rákoczy's return to the UFC at the new .

Event Details

Venue and attendance

UFC 186 was held at the in , , , on April 25, 2015. This marked the seventh UFC event at the venue since UFC 83 in 2008, underscoring 's established role as a key location for UFC promotions in . The , a multi-purpose arena, has a capacity of approximately 21,000 for events, though configurations can vary based on production needs. For UFC 186, the event drew an announced attendance of 10,154 paid fans, reflecting a partial configuration of the arena, with upper sections closed off due to slower ticket sales. The live gate from ticket sales totaled $668,000, contributing to the event's financial performance despite the lower-than-capacity crowd. The return to highlighted the city's strong history of fan support for UFC events, with previous cards at the often drawing record-breaking crowds for Canadian promotions. Logistically, the event setup included weigh-ins held the previous day, April 24, 2015, at the nearby venue in to accommodate public access and media coverage.

Broadcasting and production

The main card of UFC 186 was broadcast on (PPV) in the United States through traditional cable and satellite providers, as well as via for streaming subscribers, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET on April 25, 2015. The preliminary card aired on starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, while early prelims were available exclusively on from 6:30 p.m. ET. Internationally, the event received coverage on dedicated sports networks, including TSN 1 for English-language viewers and for French-language audiences in , and BT Sport 1 in the , which carried both prelims and the main card. In other regions, such as parts of and , broadcasts were handled by local partners like and , with UFC.tv providing PPV access where terrestrial options were unavailable. The event generated an estimated 125,000 PPV buys, a figure that underscored its moderate draw amid significant card changes, including the withdrawal of the original title rematch. This buyrate placed UFC 186 among lower-performing numbered events of the era, though it still reflected sustained interest in the flyweight headliner. Production elements featured a commentary team led by play-by-play announcer and color commentator , with veteran Octagon announcer introducing the fighters. The broadcast incorporated cultural touches for the audience, including a live performance of the Canadian national anthem "" prior to the main card. Digital and online components enhanced accessibility, with UFC Fight Pass offering on-demand replays of prelims and full event archives shortly after the live telecast, alongside live streaming for international markets lacking local TV rights. The post-fight press conference, featuring UFC president Dana White and key fighters, was made available for free on the UFC's official YouTube channel, garnering views and facilitating global fan engagement. These elements aligned with the UFC's growing emphasis on multi-platform distribution during the mid-2010s.

Fight Card

Main card

The main card for UFC 186 featured five bouts broadcast on , headlined by a flyweight and including several high-profile rescheduled and short-notice matchups resulting from earlier cancellations. The main event was a flyweight bout between defending (21-2-1) and challenger (15-1), positioned as Johnson's sixth consecutive title defense against the rising Japanese contender who had gone 4-0 in the UFC since his promotional debut. In the co-main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (35-11) returned to the promotion after a four-year absence, facing Fábio Maldonado (22-7) at a catchweight of 215 pounds. A middleweight clash pitted Michael Bisping (25-6) against C.B. Dollaway (15-6), a bout in which Bisping's original opponent, Tim Kennedy, withdrew due to injury, leading to Dollaway stepping in. At a of 160 pounds, (12-3) met short-notice debutant Shane Campbell (16-5), added to the card when Makdessi's original opponent, , was forced out by injury just weeks before the event. Opening the main card was an undefeated bantamweight prospect (18-0) taking on veteran Yves Jabouin (19-9), matching the Brazilian's knockout power against the Canadian's experience in a division increasingly stacked with contenders.

Preliminary card

The preliminary card of UFC 186 consisted of seven bouts broadcast on and , highlighting regional Canadian talent and several intriguing matchups between established contenders and newcomers. These fights added depth to the event, with a focus on and women's divisions, including rematches and debuts that drew local interest in .
Weight ClassFightersNotes
Patrick Côté (21-8) vs. (19-12)A late addition to the card, this bout featured Canadian Côté returning to his in a clash of experienced .
Women's Alexis Davis (16-6) vs. (16-4)This rematch pitted two former Strikeforce and Invicta FC title contenders against each other for the third time in their careers, promising a high-level striking exchange.
(10-1) vs. (11-2)The bout spotlighted Laprise, the winner of Nations tournament, as he aimed to build momentum in the division.
(7-1) vs. David Michaud (8-0)A matchup of promising prospects, with Canadian Aubin-Mercier—another TUF Nations —facing undefeated American Michaud in a test of skills.
(9-3) vs. Chris Clements (13-5)Taleb, hailing from , brought strong local appeal to the card in this scrap against the hard-hitting Clements.
Women's Strawweight (7-2) vs. Jessica Rákoczy (debut)Canadian Létourneau welcomed Rákoczy to the UFC in the promotion's emerging strawweight division, marking Rákoczy's professional debut.
Women's Strawweight (4-2) vs. (15-5)Both fighters were alumni of Season 20, setting up a familiar rivalry in the strawweight bracket with strong ground game emphasis.

Results

Main card results

The main card of UFC 186 opened with a bout where defeated Yves Jabouin via TKO (punches) at 4:18 of the first round. Almeida showcased his power by landing a flurry of strikes against the cage that dropped Jabouin, followed by ground-and-pound to force the stoppage. Next, in a bout at 160 pounds, won against Shane Campbell by TKO (punches) at 4:53 of the first round. Makdessi secured a takedown early and transitioned to dominant ground-and-pound position, overwhelming Campbell until the referee intervened. The middleweight matchup saw defeat via (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Bisping controlled the pace with high-volume striking throughout the three rounds, absorbing a first-round knockdown but recovering to outpoint Dollaway in a competitive striking battle. In the co-main event, a bout at 215 pounds, earned a victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over . Jackson, returning to the UFC after a four-year absence, dominated with wrestling and top control, neutralizing Maldonado's striking threats across all three rounds. The main event for the flyweight championship ended with submitting via armbar at 4:59 of the fifth round, retaining his title. This marked Johnson's sixth consecutive title defense; the dramatic finish came in the final second, highlighting Johnson's grappling prowess after four rounds of back-and-forth action.

Preliminary card results

The preliminary card at UFC 186 featured seven bouts broadcast across UFC Fight Pass and Fox Sports 1, showcasing a mix of regional Canadian talent and international matchups that highlighted grappling, striking, and resilience in a event held in Montreal. In the opening women's strawweight bout, Randa Markos defeated Aisling Daly via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), edging out a competitive striking exchange where Markos' pressure and takedown defense proved decisive over three rounds. Valérie Létourneau outclassed UFC debutant Jessica Rákoczy in a women's strawweight clash, securing a victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) through superior volume striking and clinch control that battered Rákoczy's face throughout the fight. dominated Chris Clements in their matchup, winning by (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) with relentless striking pressure and ground-and-pound that opened a significant cut on Clements, underscoring Taleb's striking superiority. Olivier Aubin-Mercier mounted a late comeback against David Michaud in the division, submitting him via rear-naked choke at 1:36 of Round 3 after absorbing early pressure, marking a gritty finish in a bout that tested his resilience. prevailed in a back-and-forth over , taking a (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) by outstriking his opponent with crisp combinations and maintaining a higher pace across 15 minutes. In a highly anticipated women's rematch, Alexis Davis finally bested Sarah —their third meeting—via submission (armbar) at 1:52 of Round 2, reversing an early Kaufman takedown attempt and transitioning to the finish in a pivotal moment of expertise. The prelim headliner saw veteran Patrick Côté leverage his experience to defeat Joe via (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a -heavy affair, where Côté's takedowns and control time neutralized Riggs' aggression.
BoutResultMethod/TimeNotable Moment
Women's Strawweight: Randa Markos vs. Aisling DalyMarkos def. DalyUnanimous Decision (29-28 x3)Competitive stand-up battle with Markos' forward pressure securing the edge.
Women's Strawweight: Valérie Létourneau vs. Jessica RákoczyLétourneau def. RákoczyUnanimous Decision (30-27 x3)Létourneau's striking volume overwhelmed the debutant, causing visible damage.
Welterweight: Nordine Taleb vs. Chris ClementsTaleb def. ClementsUnanimous Decision (30-27 x3)Taleb's striking dominance and elbows from top position controlled the fight.
Lightweight: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. David MichaudAubin-Mercier def. MichaudSubmission (rear-naked choke), R3 1:36Aubin-Mercier's third-round rally overcame Michaud's early momentum.
Lightweight: Chad Laprise vs. Bryan BarberenaLaprise def. BarberenaUnanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)Laprise's higher output in a grueling striking exchange wore down Barberena.
Women's Bantamweight: Alexis Davis vs. Sarah KaufmanDavis def. KaufmanSubmission (armbar), R2 1:52Davis reversed Kaufman's takedown to lock in the armbar for her first win over the rival.
Welterweight: Patrick Côté vs. Joe RiggsCôté def. RiggsUnanimous Decision (29-28 x3)Côté's veteran grappling and reversals stifled Riggs in close quarters.

Post-Event

Bonus awards

At UFC 186, the awarded its standard post-event bonuses to recognize outstanding performances, with each recipient earning $50,000. These bonuses, including Fight of the Night and two Performance of the Night awards, were announced by UFC President during the post-fight press conference. White selected the winners based on fighter performances that demonstrated exceptional skill, excitement, and appeal to fans. The Fight of the Night bonus went to and for their three-round bout, characterized by non-stop action, resilience, and a back-and-forth exchange that culminated in Laprise's victory. Both fighters shared the $50,000 award for delivering one of the event's most engaging contests. Demetrious Johnson received a Performance of the Night bonus for his dominant flyweight title defense against , where he controlled the first four rounds on the judges' scorecards before securing a fifth-round armbar submission at 4:59 (24:59 total). earned the other Performance of the Night honor for his first-round technical knockout of Yves Jabouin in a matchup, overwhelming his opponent with a flurry of 31 significant strikes.

Aftermath and impact

Demetrious Johnson's submission victory over at UFC 186 marked his sixth consecutive title defense in the flyweight division, placing him third among active UFC champions in successful defenses at the time behind and Jose Aldo. This achievement solidified his dominance in the weight class, extending his overall UFC winning streak to 11 fights and highlighting his technical prowess with a record-setting finish just one second before the final bell. Quinton Jackson's win over Fabio Maldonado represented his first UFC victory since December 2009, when he defeated , and added to his legacy as a former champion despite receiving criticism for a performance perceived as lackluster and overly cautious. The bout, fought at a 215-pound , showcased Jackson's resilience amid legal battles with Bellator that had kept him out of the for over three years. Thomas Almeida's first-round knockout of Yves Jabouin reinforced his reputation as one of the division's premier prospects, maintaining his undefeated record at 19-0 with 18 finishes and drawing comparisons to elite strikers in the 135-pound class. Similarly, Alexis Davis's armbar submission of in their trilogy bout positioned her as a strong contender in the women's division, avenging two prior losses and elevating her status among top challengers. UFC 186 stood as the first event in the promotion's history to feature two pre-planned bouts, with Jackson-Maldonado at 215 pounds and John Makdessi-Shane Campbell at 160 pounds, a necessitated by fighter availability issues. The card's extensive reshuffling, including the withdrawal of due to injury and multiple opponent changes like Abel Trujillo's replacement by Campbell, underscored the UFC's ongoing challenges with injuries and last-minute alterations that disrupted original matchups. These factors contributed to a modest buyrate of approximately 125,000, reflecting subdued fan interest in the revamped lineup headlined by Johnson's title defense. In the immediate aftermath, faced recovery from the late armbar submission, which required medical attention but did not result in announced surgery; meanwhile, Michael Bisping's decision win over did not lead to an immediate title opportunity, as he remained outside the top contention spots in the division.

References

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