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UFC 198
View on Wikipedia| UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() The poster for UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic | ||||
| Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
| Date | May 14, 2016 | |||
| Venue | Arena da Baixada | |||
| City | Curitiba, Brazil | |||
| Attendance | 45,207[1] | |||
| Buyrate | 217,000[2][3] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic was a mixed martial arts event held on May 14, 2016, at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.[4][5]
Background
[edit]The event was initially announced as a Fight Night event with a middleweight bout between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo Souza scheduled to serve as headliner.[6] However, it was reported by Brazilian media that this event would become UFC 198 following a series of events in January 2016 that led to the originally planned UFC 196 becoming a UFC Fight Night following a series of cancellations.[7]
On March 4, it was confirmed that the event was indeed changed to PPV and it would be headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Fabrício Werdum and top contender Stipe Miocic.[5] They were briefly scheduled to meet at the original UFC 196, as Miocic replaced former two-time champion Cain Velasquez. In turn, Werdum announced on the following day that he was pulling out of the event due to injury as well as he wasn't comfortable with the opponent change while dealing with injuries of his own.[8][9]
The event was the first that the promotion hosted in Curitiba. It was the fourth stadium venue to host a UFC event after UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre in Canada, UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson at the Tele2 Arena in Sweden and UFC 193 at the Etihad Stadium in Australia.[5]
A lightweight bout between Evan Dunham and The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 winner Leonardo Santos, originally scheduled for this event, was moved to UFC 199 after a minor injury to Dunham delayed the matchup a few weeks.[10]
The event featured the long anticipated debut of Curitiba native Cris Cyborg, former Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Champion and current Invicta FC Featherweight Champion, in a catchweight bout of 140 lb against Leslie Smith.[11]
Kamaru Usman was expected to face Sérgio Moraes at the event. However, he pulled out two weeks before the event due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Luan Chagas.[12]
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva was expected to face Uriah Hall at the event. However, Silva pulled out just four days before the event with a clinical condition that indicated acute cholecystitis and required surgical intervention.[13] The UFC wanted to find a replacement for him, but Hall opted against that.[14]
During the main card broadcast, the UFC announced that former interim UFC Heavyweight Champion and Pride Heavyweight Champion Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira would be inducted to the UFC's Hall of Fame at the "International Fight Week" in July, one day after UFC 200.[15]
Results
[edit]| Main Card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Heavyweight | Stipe Miocic | def. | Fabrício Werdum (c) | KO (punch) | 1 | 2:47 | [a] |
| Middleweight | Ronaldo Souza | def. | Vitor Belfort | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:38 | |
| Catchweight (140 lb) | Cris Cyborg | def. | Leslie Smith | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:21 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Maurício Rua | def. | Corey Anderson | Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Bryan Barberena | def. | Warlley Alves | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1) | |||||||
| Welterweight | Demian Maia | def. | Matt Brown | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 3 | 4:31 | |
| Middleweight | Thiago Santos | def. | Nate Marquardt | KO (punches) | 1 | 3:39 | |
| Lightweight | Francisco Trinaldo | def. | Yancy Medeiros | Decision (unanimous) (29–26, 30–27, 30–26) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | John Lineker | def. | Rob Font | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 30–26) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass) | |||||||
| Light Heavyweight | Antônio Rogério Nogueira | def. | Patrick Cummins | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:52 | |
| Welterweight | Sérgio Moraes | vs. | Luan Chagas | Draw (split) (29–28, 28–29, 28–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Renato Moicano | def. | Zubaira Tukhugov | Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Bonus awards
[edit]The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[17]
- Fight of the Night: Francisco Trinaldo vs. Yancy Medeiros
- Performance of the Night: Stipe Miocic and Ronaldo Souza
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Staff (May 15, 2016). "UFC 198 attendance: Event draws 45,207 for third largest show in company history". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave. "November 28, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter". f4wonline.com. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ "Meltzer's updated PPV info: UFC 196 (McGregor/Diaz 1) did 1,317,000 buys. UFC 200 did 1,009,000. No final estimate yet for UFC 202 (McGregor/Diaz 2) but it did break the all time record. UFC 205 is trending slightly bigger than 196 but probably short of 202. : MMA". Reddit.com. 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
- ^ Marcelo Alonso (2016-02-22). "Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic to headline UFC 198 in Brazil". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ a b c Staff (2016-03-04). "'UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic' official for May 14 in 40,000-seat Brazilian arena". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (2016-01-19). "Vitor Belfort vs. Jacare Souza announced for UFC event in Brazil". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ^ Evelyn Rodrigues, Marcelo Barone and Raphael Marinho (2016-02-04). "Ultimate altera edição no Brasil para UFC 198 e quer Werdum x Miocic (Brazilian Portuguese)". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- ^ Mike Dyce (2016-01-24). "Cain Velasquez out, Stipe Miocic to fill in at UFC 196". fansided.com. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (2016-01-25). "Fabricio Werdum pulls out of UFC 196 with injury". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (2016-03-15). "Evan Dunham suffers 'small injury', fight with Leonardo Santos moved to UFC 199". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
- ^ Staff (2016-03-28). "'Cyborg' Justino meets Leslie Smith at UFC 198 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
- ^ Staff (2016-05-01). "Kamaru Usman out of UFC 198 bout with Sergio Moraes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
- ^ Kevin Iole (2016-05-10). "Anderson Silva out of UFC 198, may require gall bladder surgery". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
- ^ Luke Thomas (2016-05-11). "Uriah Hall off UFC 198 fight card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- ^ Staff (2016-05-14). "UFC announces Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira as newest member of UFC Hall of Fame". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
- ^ "UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (2016-05-15). "UFC 198 bonuses: Miocic, "Jacare", Trinaldo, Medeiros take home $50k". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
UFC 198
View on GrokipediaEvent Details
Date and Venue
UFC 198 took place on May 14, 2016, at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.[1][2] The Arena da Baixada, primarily known as the home stadium for the soccer club Athletico Paranaense, has a capacity of 42,372 and served as the venue for this event, marking the first time the UFC hosted an event there.[3][4] This was a historic occasion as it represented the inaugural UFC event in the city of Curitiba and the second UFC event held in a stadium overall, following the previous large-scale outing in Toronto (UFC 129 at Rogers Centre). The event's schedule in local time (BRT) featured early preliminary bouts beginning at 7:30 p.m., followed by preliminary card action at 9:00 p.m., and the main card starting at 11:00 p.m., aligning with standard UFC formatting for international pay-per-view broadcasts.[5][6] Gates for the venue typically opened several hours prior to the early prelims to accommodate the large crowd expected for this stadium spectacle.[1]Promotion and Broadcast
UFC 198 was promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a numbered pay-per-view (PPV) event, marking a strategic elevation to capitalize on the stacked card and the debut of a major event in Curitiba, Brazil, a new market for UFC expansion.[7] Originally scheduled as UFC Fight Night 87, the event was upgraded to PPV status in early 2016 to reflect its growing significance, including the heavyweight title bout between champion Fabricio Werdum and challenger Stipe Miocic.[7] This shift allowed for broader international marketing efforts, emphasizing Brazil's rich MMA heritage and the return of local stars like Werdum, Vitor Belfort, and Anderson Silva. Marketing campaigns prominently featured official posters showcasing the Werdum vs. Miocic main event, alongside Brazilian legends to evoke national pride and draw global attention.[1] These visuals, distributed through UFC's digital platforms and media partners, highlighted the event's stadium-scale spectacle at Arena da Baixada, aiming to boost PPV accessibility in South America and beyond.[8] Promotional videos and embedded series on UFC's channels further amplified hype, focusing on the cultural stakes of hosting the card in Curitiba.[9] The event's broadcast was structured across multiple platforms to maximize reach: the main card aired live on PPV starting at 10 p.m. ET, following preliminary bouts on Fox Sports 1 from 8 p.m. ET, and early prelims exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from 6:30 p.m. ET.[9] This tiered distribution, a standard for UFC PPVs at the time, ensured comprehensive coverage for U.S. and international audiences via cable providers and streaming services.[8] UFC 198 generated an estimated 217,000 PPV buys, a solid figure that underscored its appeal as one of the promotion's strongest draws in South America to date.[10] The revenue from these buys, combined with sponsorships and international rights, reinforced the event's commercial success amid UFC's push into emerging markets.[10]Background
Announcement and Planning
The UFC initially announced the event in January 2016 as a Fight Night card scheduled for May 14 in Brazil, headlined by a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. This matchup was selected to highlight prominent Brazilian talent and draw local interest, with the announcement emphasizing the promotion's intent to host a high-profile bout in the country.[11] In early March 2016, the UFC elevated the event to pay-per-view status and officially numbered it as UFC 198, prompted by the addition of a heavyweight title fight between champion Fabricio Werdum and challenger Stipe Miocic as the new main event.[12] The decision to upgrade from a Fight Night to a numbered PPV was driven by the significance of the championship bout, which replaced the original headliner and aimed to boost commercial appeal.[13] This change was formally revealed on March 4, 2016, marking a strategic shift to position the card as a marquee offering. The planning for UFC 198 aligned with the UFC's broader strategy to deepen its presence in the Brazilian market, where MMA enjoys immense popularity, by debuting in Curitiba—a city renowned for its strong MMA heritage and history of producing top fighters.[14] Venue selection focused on Arena da Baixada, a 42,000-seat soccer stadium, to accommodate a large audience and create a stadium-scale atmosphere, enhancing the event's spectacle and economic impact in the region.[12] This approach reflected the promotion's efforts to leverage Brazil's passionate fanbase for sustained growth.[14]Fight Card Development
The development of the UFC 198 fight card involved several key adjustments in the weeks leading up to the event, primarily driven by injuries and medical issues affecting scheduled bouts. A notable change occurred when former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was forced to withdraw from his matchup against Uriah Hall due to complications from gallbladder surgery, which required a 4-6 week recovery period.[15] The UFC opted not to find a replacement opponent for Hall, resulting in his removal from the card as well, reducing the bout count temporarily.[16] This cancellation highlighted the challenges of finalizing high-profile fights close to event day, with Silva's withdrawal announced just four days before the May 14, 2016, date. Another significant alteration came in the welterweight division, where Kamaru Usman had to pull out of his scheduled fight against Sérgio Moraes due to an undisclosed injury, announced on May 2, 2016.[17] To fill the slot, the UFC paired Moraes with promotional newcomer Luan Chagas, maintaining the bout's presence on the preliminary card and introducing fresh Brazilian talent to the lineup.[18] Meanwhile, a major addition was the announcement of Cris Cyborg's UFC debut against Leslie Smith at a catchweight of 140 pounds, revealed on March 28, 2016, which added star power and elevated the event's appeal, particularly for the women's divisions.[19][20] The card ultimately expanded to 12 fights through these modifications and additional bookings, with a deliberate emphasis on showcasing Brazilian fighters to resonate with the local audience in Curitiba. This approach resulted in what was described as the largest Brazilian-heavy card in UFC history, featuring prominent home-country stars like Fabricio Werdum, Ronaldo Souza, and Vitor Belfort alongside emerging prospects.[21] The finalization process, completed in early May 2016, balanced international draw with national pride, ensuring a stacked lineup despite the setbacks.[1]Fight Card
Main Card
The main card of UFC 198 featured five high-profile bouts, headlined by a heavyweight championship clash and including Brazilian fan favorites in a historic event held in Curitiba. This lineup showcased a mix of title implications, veteran rivalries, and debuts, drawing significant attention for its potential to reshape divisions.[1] The main event pitted UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1), who had captured the title with a second-round knockout of Cain Velasquez at UFC 188 the previous year, against top contender Stipe Miocic (14-2), a Cleveland firefighter known for his wrestling base and knockout power from recent victories over Mark Hunt and Andrei Arlovski. This title fight represented Miocic's first opportunity at UFC gold following his rise through the division.[22][23] In the co-main event, Brazilian middleweight legends Vitor Belfort (25-11), a former UFC light heavyweight champion returning from a first-round submission loss to Dan Henderson in November 2015, faced Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (22-4), a grappling specialist and former Strikeforce middleweight titleholder coming off a controversial split decision loss to Yoel Romero at UFC 194. The matchup highlighted contrasting styles, with Belfort's explosive striking against Souza's elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[24] At welterweight, undefeated Brazilian prospect Warlley Alves (10-0), a submission specialist who had earned UFC bonuses with quick finishes in his first three Octagon appearances, met American veteran Bryan Barberena (11-3), who had rebounded from an early UFC setback with a unanimous decision win over Sage Northcutt at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader in January 2016. This bout pitted Alves' grappling dominance against Barberena's resilient brawling.[25] A light heavyweight matchup featured Maurício "Shogun" Rua (23-10), the former UFC light heavyweight champion aiming to build on his second-round TKO win over Jindrich Sved at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum in November 2015, against Corey Anderson (9-1), a TUF winner seeking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Ovince Saint Preux in August 2015.[1][26] Opening the main card was women's catchweight bout at 140 pounds, marking the UFC debut of Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino (15-1, 1 NC), who had defended her title multiple times with devastating knockouts, against Invicta veteran Leslie Smith (8-6-1), fresh off a unanimous decision win over Rin Nakai at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir in March 2016. The non-title matchup tested Cyborg's power against Smith's aggressive pressure in her long-awaited UFC entry.[27]Preliminary Card
The preliminary card for UFC 198, broadcast on Fox Sports 1, featured four competitive bouts that highlighted the event's strong Brazilian flavor, with three of the eight fighters hailing from Brazil in a show held in Curitiba. This lineup included ranked contenders and rising talents facing off against seasoned opponents, adding depth to the undercard as the event's fight card expanded during its planning phase to capitalize on local interest. In the welterweight division, Demian Maia, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt ranked No. 6 in the division, faced No. 8-ranked American striker Matt Brown in a pivotal matchup for momentum in the 170-pound rankings. Maia, known for his grappling expertise, sought to build on his submission-heavy record, while Brown aimed to leverage his knockout power against a submission specialist. The middleweight bout pitted Brazilian knockout artist Thiago Santos, on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC, against American veteran Nate Marquardt, a former Strikeforce champion looking to rebound from recent setbacks. Santos, a Muay Thai specialist from Rio de Janeiro, represented the next generation of Brazilian strikers, contrasting Marquardt's extensive experience across multiple promotions. At lightweight, Brazilian veteran Francisco Trinaldo clashed with Yancy Medeiros, a Hawaii-born fighter of Brazilian descent who trained in the region and carried strong local support. Trinaldo, a durable grappler with a history of grinding decisions, met Medeiros' aggressive, submission-oriented style in a battle of contrasting paces within the 155-pound class. In bantamweight action, Brazilian puncher John Lineker (24-7), riding a two-fight UFC winning streak with knockouts, faced American prospect Rob Font (12-1), a wrestling-based fighter making his UFC debut after an undefeated run on the regional circuit. The bout tested Lineker's power against Font's technical skills and ground game.[1]Early Preliminary Card
The early preliminary card for UFC 198 featured three bouts streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, designed as low-stakes warm-ups to introduce regional and emerging talent to the promotion ahead of the higher-profile matchups. These opening fights underscored the event's strong Brazilian influence, with local fighters competing in front of a home crowd at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.[28] In the light heavyweight division, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, a Brazilian veteran with experience from PRIDE FC and early UFC events, faced Patrick Cummins, an American wrestler who had earned his UFC contract through The Ultimate Fighter. Nogueira, ranked in the top 15 at light heavyweight at the time, represented established regional talent seeking to rebound from recent setbacks. The welterweight matchup pitted Sergio Moraes, a Brazilian grappler known for his submission skills and prior UFC appearances, against Luan Chagas, a Curitiba native making his promotional debut after success on the regional circuit. Originally scheduled as Kamaru Usman versus Moraes—with Usman, an undefeated prospect from The Ultimate Fighter Season 21, positioned for a potential breakout performance—the bout was altered when Usman withdrew due to injury, paving the way for Chagas as a last-minute replacement. This change highlighted the fluid nature of lower-card bookings while spotlighting homegrown Brazilian prospects like Chagas.[17][18] Closing the early prelims was a featherweight contest between Renato Moicano, a jiu-jitsu black belt from Brazil with a strong record in his home country, and Zubaira Tukhugov, a Russian striker riding an unbeaten streak in regional promotions. Moicano, competing in his third UFC fight, embodied the event's focus on developing local talent in lighter weight classes.[1] These matchups provided essential exposure for entry-level fighters and Brazilian representatives, setting a tone of national pride without overshadowing the main attractions.Results
Main Card Results
The main card of UFC 198 featured five high-profile bouts, headlined by the heavyweight championship clash, with all fights concluding decisively either by stoppage or decision.[1]| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight Championship | Stipe Miocic | Fabricio Werdum (c) | KO (punch) | 1 | 2:47 |
| Middleweight | Ronaldo Souza | Vitor Belfort | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:38 |
| Catchweight (140 lbs) | Cris Cyborg | Leslie Smith | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:21 |
| Light Heavyweight | Mauricio Rua | Corey Anderson | Split Decision (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Welterweight | Bryan Barberena | Warlley Alves | Unanimous Decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
Preliminary Card Results
The preliminary card for UFC 198, broadcast on Fox Sports 1, featured four bouts that showcased a mix of submissions, knockouts, and decisions, contributing to the event's high-energy atmosphere in front of a passionate home crowd in Curitiba, Brazil.[1]| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welterweight | Demian Maia | Matt Brown | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 3 | 4:31 |
| Middleweight | Thiago Santos | Nate Marquardt | TKO (strikes) | 1 | 3:39 |
| Lightweight | Francisco Trinaldo | Yancy Medeiros | Unanimous Decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Bantamweight | John Lineker | Rob Font | Unanimous Decision (30–27, 30–26, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |

