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UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2
The poster for UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateMarch 27, 2021 (2021-03-27)
VenueUFC Apex
CityEnterprise, Nevada, United States
AttendanceNone (behind closed doors)[1]
Event chronology
UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 27, 2021, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.[2][3]

Background

[edit]

A UFC Heavyweight Championship rematch bout between current two-time champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou headlined this event.[4] The pairing met previously at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018, where Miocic won via unanimous decision and broke the record for most consecutive title defenses for the division with his third.[5]

A UFC Featherweight Championship bout between current champion Alexander Volkanovski and former title challenger Brian Ortega would have served as the co-main event.[6] However, the fight was cancelled a week before taking place as Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19.[7] The pairing was later rescheduled for UFC 266.[8]

Johnny Walker was expected to face Jimmy Crute in a light heavyweight bout at the event.[9] However, Walker pulled out of the fight in early February citing a chest injury.[10] Promotion officials elected to remove Crute from the card and reschedule him against Anthony Smith the following month at UFC 261.[11]

A heavyweight bout between former WSOF Heavyweight Champion Blagoy Ivanov and Marcin Tybura was scheduled to take place at the event.[12] However, Ivanov was pulled from the bout in late February, citing an injury.[13] Tybura is now expected to compete against Walt Harris at UFC Fight Night 193 on June 5.[14]

A women's flyweight bout between Gillian Robertson and Miranda Maverick was scheduled for UFC 258, but it was cancelled on the day of the event after Robertson had a non-COVID related illness.[15] They eventually met at this event.[16]

A women's strawweight bout between Randa Markos and promotional newcomer Luana Pinheiro was expected to take place at the event.[17] However, Markos was removed from the card on March 18 after testing positive for COVID-19.[18] The pairing was left intact and rescheduled five weeks later at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[19]

Former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion and UFC Women's Strawweight Championship challenger Jessica Penne and Hannah Goldy were expected to meet in a women's strawweight bout at the event.[20] However, on March 24, Goldy tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was postponed.[21] The pairing remained intact and was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum.[22]

A light heavyweight bout between Alonzo Menifield and William Knight was originally expected to take place at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane.[23] However, the bout was postponed during the week leading up to the event after Menifield tested positive for COVID-19.[24] The bout was then rescheduled for this event, but this time Knight was removed due to COVID-19 protocols and was replaced by promotional newcomer Fabio Cherant.[25] At the weight-ins, Cherant weighted 206.5 pounds, half a pound over the non-title light heavyweight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to Menifield.[26]

This was the final event under the UFC's outfitting policy with Reebok.[27]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight Francis Ngannou def. Stipe Miocic (c) KO (punch) 2 0:52 [a]
Welterweight Vicente Luque def. Tyron Woodley Submission (brabo choke) 1 3:56
Bantamweight Sean O'Malley def. Thomas Almeida KO (punches) 3 3:52
Women’s Flyweight Miranda Maverick def. Gillian Robertson Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Lightweight Jamie Mullarkey def. Khama Worthy KO (punches) 1 0:46
Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+)
Catchweight (206.5 lb) Alonzo Menifield def. Fabio Cherant Submission (shoulder choke) 1 1:11
Welterweight Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Jared Gooden Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Michał Oleksiejczuk def. Modestas Bukauskas Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Featherweight Omar Morales def. Shane Young Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Early preliminary card (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Middleweight Marc-André Barriault def. Abu Azaitar TKO (punches) 3 4:56

[28]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[29]

  • Fight of the Night: Vicente Luque vs. Tyron Woodley
  • Performance of the Night: Francis Ngannou and Sean O'Malley

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on March 27, 2021, at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, without a live audience due to COVID-19 restrictions.[1][2] The pay-per-view event was headlined by a heavyweight championship rematch between defending champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, in which Ngannou captured the title via knockout in the second round at 0:52.[2][3] The card consisted of 10 bouts across various weight classes, broadcast on ESPN+ pay-per-view for the main card, with prelims airing on ESPN and ESPN+.[4] In the co-main event, welterweight contender Vicente Luque submitted former champion Tyron Woodley via D'Arce choke in the first round at 3:56, earning Fight of the Night honors alongside Woodley.[5] Other notable main card results included Sean O'Malley defeating Thomas Almeida by knockout in the third round at 3:52, securing a Performance of the Night bonus, and Miranda Maverick winning a unanimous decision over Gillian Robertson in a women's flyweight bout.[2][5] Ngannou's victory marked his first UFC heavyweight title and avenged his 2018 loss to Miocic, solidifying his reputation as one of the division's most powerful strikers with a devastating uppercut finish.[3] The event featured quick finishes such as Alonzo Menifield's first-round submission of Fabio Cherant on the prelims and Jamie Mullarkey's 46-second knockout of Khama Worthy to open the main card, while decisions dominated other undercard matchups, including Michal Oleksiejczuk's controversial split decision over Modestas Bukauskas.[2] Performance of the Night bonuses were awarded to Ngannou and O'Malley for their knockout wins, contributing to the event's emphasis on explosive striking.[5]

Event Details

Date and Venue

UFC 260 took place on March 27, 2021.[1] The event was hosted at the UFC Apex, a compact indoor arena in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area.[6] This venue, with a capacity for limited production setups, served as the primary location for numerous UFC events during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] Due to ongoing pandemic protocols, UFC 260 was conducted as a closed-door event with no live audience permitted, resulting in zero attendance and a reported gate of $0.[8] This setup aligned with the UFC's broader transition to the Apex facility in 2020, enabling controlled, intimate environments to sustain operations amid global health restrictions.[7]

Broadcast and Attendance

The main card of UFC 260 was broadcast on ESPN+ pay-per-view, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET, while the preliminary card aired on ESPN and ESPN+ starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, and early prelims were available on UFC Fight Pass from 6:00 p.m. ET.[1][9] The event drew significant viewership as a marquee heavyweight rematch, contributing to the UFC's robust pay-per-view performance during the 2021 schedule, though exact buy figures were not publicly disclosed by the promotion. Held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, UFC 260 took place without live spectators, marking it as one of the final major UFC events conducted in a fanless environment following a series of similar productions throughout 2020 and early 2021.[10] As a result, traditional gate revenue was not generated, with the event's economic impact primarily driven by pay-per-view sales and broadcasting rights. UFC 260 served as the last event under the promotion's apparel partnership with Reebok, which had been in place since 2015; the deal transitioned to Venum effective with UFC 261 the following month, introducing updated uniform designs and a modest increase in fighter compensation for outfitting.[11]

Background

Announcement and Promotion

The main event for UFC 260, a heavyweight title rematch between defending champion Stipe Miocic and challenger Francis Ngannou, was officially announced on January 23, 2021.[12] The co-main event, a featherweight title defense for champion Alexander Volkanovski against top contender Brian Ortega, had been reported earlier on January 16.[13] Promotional campaigns centered on the contrasting styles of the headliners, highlighting Ngannou's devastating knockout power and aggressive striking against Miocic's technical boxing, wrestling expertise, and proven championship pedigree, as showcased in official UFC trailers and the "Countdown to UFC 260" preview special.[14] The buildup included a six-episode run of UFC Embedded, a behind-the-scenes vlog series that followed the fighters' training camps, media obligations, and travel preparations in the weeks prior to the event.[15] The event's planning occurred in the aftermath of extensive 2020 disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation or relocation of multiple UFC cards and shifted operations to a biosecure bubble at the UFC Apex without live audiences. With principal fighters like Miocic and Ngannou training domestically in the United States, the card avoided major international travel hurdles that had plagued earlier events. Significant card adjustments came late in the process when, on March 20, 2021, Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving in Las Vegas, leading to the postponement of the featherweight title fight with Ortega.[16] In response, the UFC elevated the previously scheduled welterweight matchup between Vicente Luque and former champion Tyron Woodley to co-main event status, ensuring the pay-per-view maintained its dual high-profile appeal.[17]

Main Event Rematch Context

The rematch at UFC 260 featured UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defending his title against No. 1 contender Francis Ngannou, reprising their initial clash from UFC 220 on January 20, 2018. In that bout, Miocic retained his championship via unanimous decision with scores of 50-44 across all three judges after five rounds, relying on superior wrestling to control the action and neutralize Ngannou's early aggression despite entering as a slight underdog.[18][19] Miocic, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion from Ohio, entered the rematch with a professional record of 20-3, renowned for his Division I wrestling pedigree from Cleveland State University and exceptional cardio that allowed him to maintain pressure over long fights. By trade, he worked full-time as a firefighter and paramedic for the Valley View Fire Department, balancing his athletic career with public service responsibilities. Ngannou, a Cameroonian immigrant who rose from challenging circumstances in Africa to become a dominant force in MMA, carried a 13-1 record into UFC 260, highlighted by his undefeated 4-0 streak since the 2018 loss and devastating knockout power that had produced 12 finishes, including a UFC-record punch force measurement.[20][21][22][12][23][24] The stakes were profoundly personal and historic: for Ngannou, it marked his first title opportunity in over three years, a chance at redemption after an emotionally detached performance in their first meeting where he later reflected, "I wasn't even there myself. I didn't even have emotion in that fight. I was just there." Miocic, seeking a record-extending fifth title defense—surpassing his own mark of four—emphasized his tactical edge, stating in buildup discussions that Ngannou's growth would not deter the same wrestling-heavy approach that prevailed before, underscoring experience over raw power.[25][26][27]

Fight Card

Main Card Matchups

The main card of UFC 260 featured five high-stakes bouts, headlined by a heavyweight championship rematch, broadcast live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.[1] In the main event, reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic defended his title against top contender Francis Ngannou in a five-round clash, marking their second meeting after Miocic's narrow decision victory in their 2018 encounter.[28] The co-main event pitted former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley against rising contender Vicente Luque, stepping in to replace the originally scheduled featherweight title fight that was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. Woodley, returning to MMA after a brief stint in professional boxing, aimed to reassert his dominance in the division. At bantamweight, surging prospect Sean O'Malley faced Brazilian veteran and knockout artist Thomas Almeida, known for his striking prowess and early UFC success. The women's flyweight matchup showcased submission specialist Gillian Robertson, a grappling expert with strong ground control, against wrestling standout Miranda Maverick, highlighting a stylistic clash between jiu-jitsu and collegiate wrestling backgrounds. Opening the main card at lightweight was Australian fighter Jamie Mullarkey against Khama Worthy, with Mullarkey seeking to impress on the global stage. All main card fighters successfully made weight at the official weigh-ins on March 26, 2021, with no significant incidents reported, ensuring the event proceeded as planned.[29]

Preliminary Card Matchups

The preliminary card for UFC 260 featured several intriguing bouts showcasing emerging talents across multiple weight classes, providing stylistic contrasts and opportunities for fighters to build momentum in the promotion.[1] In the catchweight bout at 206.5 pounds, Alonzo Menifield faced Fabio Cherant, pitting Menifield's explosive power punching—rooted in his background as a former NFL defensive end—against Cherant's seasoned grappling and clinch work from his LFA light heavyweight title run.[30] The welterweight matchup between Jared Gooden and Abubakar Nurmagomedov highlighted Gooden's relentless forward aggression and striking volume, contrasting with Nurmagomedov's Dagestani-style grappling and takedown chains, bolstered by his familial ties to Khabib Nurmagomedov. At light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas took on Michał Oleksiejczuk in a striker's duel, both alumni of the Dana White's Contender Series, where Bukauskas relied on precise kickboxing and distance management while Oleksiejczuk brought aggressive pressure and knockout power from his Polish kickboxing base.[31] The featherweight clash saw Shane Young, a New Zealand volume striker known for high-output combinations, against Omar Morales, whose counterstriking and improving takedown defense aimed to exploit openings in Young's forward pressure.[32][33] Rounding out the card, middleweights Abu Azaitar and Marc-André Barriault represented contrasting approaches: Azaitar, the Moroccan knockout artist with unorthodox kicks and sniping attacks, versus Barriault's Canadian brawling pressure and durability in prolonged exchanges.[34][35] At the official weigh-ins held on March 26, 2021, all preliminary card fighters successfully made weight, with Cherant registering at the agreed catchweight of 206.5 pounds as a late replacement; minor verbal exchanges occurred during faceoffs, particularly between Gooden and Nurmagomedov, as noted in media coverage.[29]

Results

Main Card Outcomes

The main event featured a heavyweight championship rematch between champion Stipe Miocic and challenger Francis Ngannou. In the second round, Ngannou landed a devastating uppercut that dropped Miocic, followed by ground strikes that forced referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight at 0:52, awarding Ngannou the knockout victory and the UFC heavyweight title.[3] In the welterweight co-main event, Vicente Luque faced former champion Tyron Woodley. Luque capitalized on a Woodley takedown attempt by reversing position and locking in a D'Arce choke, forcing the tap at 3:56 of the first round for the submission win.[3] The bantamweight bout pitted Sean O'Malley against Thomas Almeida. After two rounds of O'Malley using leg kicks to compromise Almeida's mobility, O'Malley dropped him with a left hand in the third round and finished with a right hand on the ground, earning a knockout victory at 3:52.[3] Women's flyweight contenders Miranda Maverick and Gillian Robertson went the full distance. Maverick controlled the fight with superior wrestling and striking volume, securing a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.[3] Opening the main card, lightweight Jamie Mullarkey met Khama Worthy. Mullarkey blitzed forward early, landing a left hook that floored Worthy face-first, then delivered follow-up punches for the knockout stoppage at 0:46 of the first round.[3]

Preliminary Card Outcomes

The preliminary card of UFC 260 showcased a mix of quick finishes and hard-fought decisions among emerging talents, highlighting the depth of the promotion's undercard roster.[3] In the opening catchweight bout, Alonzo Menifield submitted Fabio Cherant via Von Flue choke at 1:11 of the first round. Menifield quickly took Cherant down within the opening 20 seconds and capitalized on a ground scramble to lock in the choke for the tap.[3][1] Abubakar Nurmagomedov earned a unanimous decision victory over Jared Gooden (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in their welterweight matchup, dominating with superior striking in the first two rounds and extensive ground control in the third to secure the win.[3][1] The light heavyweight clash between Michał Oleksiejczuk and Modestas Bukauskas went the distance, with Oleksiejczuk taking a controversial split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after a close striking battle marked by Oleksiejczuk's relentless pressure and a late body shot from Bukauskas.[3][1] Omar Morales outpointed Shane Young by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in the featherweight division, edging the fight with effective takedowns, including a crucial one in the final round, following a late surge in the second.[3][1] Closing the prelims, Marc-André Barriault stopped Abu Azaitar via TKO (punches) at 4:56 of the third round in their middleweight bout, as the referee intervened after Barriault mounted Azaitar and unleashed a barrage of strikes amid accumulated damage.[3][1] These results underscored the prelim card's emphasis on decisions and prospect development, with three of five fights reaching the scorecards and providing valuable experience for the victors in building their Octagon resumes.[3]

Aftermath

Championship Implications

Francis Ngannou's second-round knockout victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 marked a pivotal shift in the heavyweight division, as Ngannou captured the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship, ending Miocic's second reign that had begun in August 2019. Miocic, who had previously held the title from 2016 to 2018 during his first reign, amassed a total of four successful title defenses across both periods, a UFC heavyweight record. This triumph avenged Ngannou's unanimous decision loss to Miocic in their initial encounter at UFC 220 in January 2018, where Ngannou's inexperience in grappling was exposed during a fight that went the full five rounds.[36][37][38] The victory represented a historic milestone for Ngannou, securing his first UFC title after a three-year rebuild following the 2018 setback, during which he refined his wrestling and overall fight IQ to address previous deficiencies. As the first African-born heavyweight champion in UFC history, Ngannou's achievement highlighted the growing influence of fighters from the continent, joining contemporaries like Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya as simultaneous African-born titleholders at the time. This win not only solidified Ngannou's status as the division's premier knockout artist but also elevated his profile as a dominant force capable of blending raw power with improved technical proficiency.[39][40][41] In the heavyweight landscape, Ngannou's ascension reshaped contender dynamics, positioning him to potentially face top challengers such as Derrick Lewis, who had previously defeated him in 2018, or Ciryl Gane, an emerging prospect known for his striking precision. UFC officials initially targeted Lewis as Ngannou's first title defense opponent, reflecting Lewis's knockout power and recent momentum, though subsequent injury issues led to an interim title bout between Lewis and Gane at UFC 265. This outcome underscored the division's volatility, with Ngannou's reign introducing a new era of high-stakes matchups focused on explosive stand-up battles.[42][43] While UFC 260 featured no other title bouts, notable results rippled across divisions, enhancing key contenders' trajectories. In welterweight, Vicente Luque's first-round submission of former champion Tyron Woodley propelled him into the official top 10 rankings, affirming his status as a finishing threat with 12 stoppages in UFC competition since 2015—the most in the division during that span. Bantamweight saw Sean O'Malley's third-round knockout of Thomas Almeida elevate his prospects, reestablishing him as a rising star with knockout artistry that drew comparisons to elite strikers and boosted his visibility in title contention discussions. Additionally, in women's flyweight, Miranda Maverick's unanimous decision over ranked contender Gillian Robertson marked her second UFC win, earning her entry into the top 15 and signaling her potential as a grappling-savvy prospect in a talent-rich division. Post-event UFC rankings reflected these shifts, installing Ngannou at No. 1 in heavyweight while Maverick cracked the flyweight top 15.[44][8][45][46]

Fighter Career Trajectories

Following his victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260, Francis Ngannou solidified his status as UFC Heavyweight Champion, embarking on a title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on January 22, 2022, which he won by unanimous decision after five rounds. However, escalating contract disputes with UFC management over pay, fighter autonomy, and promotional rights culminated in Ngannou becoming a free agent in January 2023, prompting the organization to strip him of the title.[47] Ngannou subsequently signed a landmark multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in May 2023, granting him equity in the promotion and freedom to pursue boxing opportunities. Ngannou's post-UFC career pivoted toward high-profile boxing crossovers, beginning with a bout against Tyson Fury on October 28, 2023, where he delivered a third-round knockdown but lost via controversial split decision (95-94 Fury, 96-93 Fury, 94-95 Ngannou).[48] This was followed by a March 8, 2024, clash with Anthony Joshua, ending in a second-round knockout loss after Ngannou was dropped twice.[49] Returning to MMA under PFL, Ngannou claimed the heavyweight title with a first-round TKO over Renan Ferreira on October 19, 2024, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. As of November 2025, Ngannou remains the reigning PFL heavyweight champion, with one remaining MMA bout on his contract amid ongoing discussions for potential boxing rematches. Stipe Miocic, dethroned by Ngannou via second-round knockout at UFC 260, entered a prolonged period of inactivity lasting over three years, during which he prioritized his career as a full-time firefighter in Ohio. He returned at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024, challenging Jon Jones for the heavyweight title but suffered a third-round TKO loss. Miocic announced his retirement immediately afterward, concluding a career as a two-time UFC heavyweight champion with a record four title defenses—he holds the division's mark for most successful defenses (three consecutive in his first reign from 2016-2018).[37] Post-retirement, Miocic has focused on family, community service through firefighting, and occasional media appearances, expressing no interest in further competition.[50] Among other fighters on the UFC 260 card, Sean O'Malley, who knocked out Thomas Almeida in the third round, ascended to bantamweight prominence, capturing the UFC title via second-round TKO against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 on August 19, 2023. He defended the belt once against Marlon Vera by unanimous decision at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024, before losing it to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 306 on September 14, 2024. A rematch at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, resulted in a third-round submission loss to Dvalishvili via north-south choke, leaving O'Malley as a former champion seeking to rebound in the division.[51] Vicente Luque, who headlined the co-main event with a first-round submission via D'Arce choke over Tyron Woodley, encountered a career-altering setback after a August 6, 2022, knockout loss to Geoff Neal revealed a brain bleed (subdural hematoma), sidelining him for nearly a year. Cleared by medical authorities, Luque resumed fighting with a unanimous decision win over Rafael dos Anjos on August 12, 2023, followed by a unanimous decision win over Joel Alvarez on October 11, 2025, but has since competed sporadically, logging just three bouts from 2024 to mid-2025 amid ongoing health monitoring and a 15-8 UFC record. As of November 2025, the 33-year-old welterweight has no immediate fights scheduled but remains active on the roster without retirement plans.[52][53] Tyron Woodley, released from UFC following his UFC 260 loss, transitioned to professional boxing, suffering a split decision defeat to Jake Paul on August 29, 2021, and a sixth-round knockout loss in their rematch on November 27, 2021. Inactive for over three years thereafter, Woodley signed with the Global Fight League in December 2024, where he was drafted first overall in January 2025. However, all GFL events were cancelled in 2025 due to financial issues, leaving Woodley without a debut as of November 2025. UFC 260 marked the symbolic end of the Miocic era in the heavyweight division, paving the way for Ngannou's short-lived UFC championship run that exposed ongoing tensions between top talents and the promotion.[54] The event's fallout contributed to heightened volatility at heavyweight, with interim and vacant titles reshaping the landscape amid high-profile departures and returns, including Jon Jones' successful transition from light heavyweight to undisputed champion.

References

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