:UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori
{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts event in 2020}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name= UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori
|image=UFC on ESPN 19 poster.jpeg
|promotion=Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date={{start date|2020|12|05}}
|venue= UFC Apex
|city= Enterprise, Nevada, United States
|attendance= None (behind closed doors){{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/ufc/ufc-fight-night-hermansson-vettori-main-event-odds-betting-picks/158489/|title=UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori main event odds and betting picks|publisher=sportsbookreview.com|author=Eduardo Solano|date=2020-12-02|access-date=2020-12-03}}
|gate=
|previousevent= UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark
|followingevent= UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno
}}
UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori (also known as UFC on ESPN 19 and UFC Vegas 16) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on December 5, 2020 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/2020-ufc-event-schedule-deiveson-figueiredo-vs-alex-perez-curtis-blaydes-vs-derrick-lewis-among-events/|title=2020 UFC event schedule: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Alex Perez, Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis among events|publisher=cbssports.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|date=2020-11-15|access-date=2020-11-19}}
Background
The promotion was targeting a middleweight bout between former UFC Welterweight Championship challenger Darren Till and Jack Hermansson to serve as the event headliner.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29712748/darren-jack-hermansson-headline-ufc-fight-night-dec-5|title=Till-Hermansson to headline December UFC card|work=espn.com|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-08-21|access-date=2020-08-22}} However, it was revealed on November 6 that Till was forced to withdraw from the planned bout due to an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by Kevin Holland.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/30268526/injured-darren-fight-jack-hermansson-ufc-fight-night|title=Injured Darren Till won't fight Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night|work=espn.com|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-11-06|access-date=2020-11-06}} In turn, Holland was removed from the contest on November 28 after testing positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/30406400/kevin-holland-dec-5-ufc-main-event-following-positive-covid-19-test|title=Kevin Holland out of Dec. 5 UFC main event following positive COVID-19 test|work=espn.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2020-11-28|access-date=2020-11-28}} Marvin Vettori, who was expected to face former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo Souza a week later at UFC 256, served as his replacement.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/ufc-fight-night-jack-hermansson-vs-marvin-vettori-middleweight-main-event-dec-5|title=Jack Hermansson vs. Marvin Vettori set as new UFC on ESPN 19 headliner|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn and John Morgan|date=2020-11-28|access-date=2020-11-28}} The UFC also opted to reschedule Holland as Vettori's replacement at UFC 256.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/kevin-holland-vs-ronaldo-jacare-souza-ufc-256-fight-booking-mma|title=Kevin Holland vs. 'Jacare' Souza added to UFC 256|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2020-11-29|access-date=2020-11-29}}
John Allan and Roman Dolidze were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 255 in a light heavyweight bout.{{Cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/john-allan-enfrenta-roman-dolidze-no-ufc-255-dia-21-de-novembro-em-las-vegas.ghtml|title=John Allan takes on Roman Dolidze at UFC 255 on November 21|publisher=globoesporte.globo.com|author=Raphael Marinho|date=2020-08-19|access-date=2020-08-19}} {{in lang|pt}} They were eventually rescheduled for this event.{{Cite web|url=https://adjarasport.com/ufc/posts/kvlav-ori-kartveli-ertad-dvalishvili-da-dolidze-ert-kardze-ibrdzoleben-480717|title=Breaking: Two more Georgians together - Dolidze and Dvalishvili will fight on the same card|publisher=adjarasport.com|author=Giorgi Kokiashvili|date=2020-10-15|access-date=2020-10-16}} {{in lang|ka}}
A bantamweight bout between Cody Stamann and Merab Dvalishvili was expected to take place at this event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/09/merab-dvalishvili-vs-cody-stamann-joins-ufcs-dec-5-lineup|title=Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann joins UFC's Dec. 5 lineup|author=Farah Hannoun|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|date=2020-09-24|access-date=2020-09-24}} However, it was announced on October 22 that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons.{{Cite web|url=https://adjarasport.com/ufc/posts/merab-dvalishvilis-da-kodi-stamanis-brdzola-chaishala-481730|title=The fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Cody Stamann failed|publisher=adjarasport.com|author=Giorgi Kokiashvili|date=2020-10-22|access-date=2020-10-22}} {{in lang|ka}} He was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/merab-dvalishvili-vs-raoni-barcelos-ufc-fight-night-december-5-mma-booking|title=Streaking bantamweights Merab Dvalishvili and Raoni Barcelos meet at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5|author=Farah Hannoun|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|date=2020-11-13|access-date=2020-11-13}} The new booking fell through on November 19, as it was revealed that Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Raoni-Barcelos-Pulled-From-Merab-Dvalishvili-Matchup-at-UFC-on-ESPN-19-176310|title=Raoni Barcelos pulled from Merab Dvalishvili matchup at UFC on ESPN 19|author=Jay Pettry|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2020-11-19|access-date=2020-11-19}}
A featherweight bout between Gabriel Benítez and Justin Jaynes was initially scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos a month earlier, but the pairing was postponed after Benítez tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/gabriel-benitez-tests-positive-for-covid-19-justin-jaynes-bout-off-ufc-on-espn-40|title=Gabriel Benitez tests positive for COVID-19, Justin Jaynes bout off UFC on ESPN+ 40|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2020-10-27|access-date=2020-11-17}} The matchup was left intact and took place at this event.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/17/%E2%80%AAgabriel-benitez-and-justin-jaynes-added-to-dec-5-card/|title=Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes added to UFC's Dec. 5 card|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Doug Murray|date=2020-11-17|access-date=2020-11-17}}
Also scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos, a bantamweight bout between Louis Smolka and José Alberto Quiñónez was cancelled after Smolka pulled out of their fight as a result of ill-effects from his weight cut on the day of the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/ufc-fight-night-182-louis-smolka-ruled-out-jose-quinonez-fight-scratched|title=Louis Smolka ruled out of UFC Fight Night 182; Jose Quinonez fight scratched|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=John Morgan|date=2020-11-14|access-date=2020-11-17}} They were then rescheduled for this event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Louis-Smolka-Jose-Quinonez-Rebooked-for-UFC-on-ESPN-19-on-Dec-5-176264|title=Louis Smolka, Jose Quinonez rebooked for UFC on ESPN 19 on Dec.5|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2020-11-17|access-date=2020-11-17}}
Maryna Moroz was expected to face Taila Santos in a women's flyweight bout at this event.{{Cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/apos-primeira-vitoria-no-ultimate-taila-santos-vai-encarar-maryna-moroz-em-dezembro.ghtml|title=After her first Ultimate win, Taila Santos will face Maryna Moroz in December|publisher=globoesporte.globo.com|author=Marcelo Barone|date=2020-10-02|access-date=2020-11-18}} {{in lang|pt}} However, it was announced on November 18 that Moroz had to pull out and Montana De La Rosa would be her replacement.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/montana-de-la-rosa-vs-taila-santos-maryna-moroz-out-ufc-fight-night-183|title=With Maryna Moroz out, Montana De La Rosa steps in to face Taila Santos at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun and Nolan King|date=2020-11-17|access-date=2020-11-18}} Just hours before the event, the UFC decided to remove the fight after one of De La Rosa's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/5/22156113/montana-de-la-rosa-vs-taila-santos-scrapped-from-ufc-vegas-16-card-due-to-positive-covid-19-test|title=Montana De La Rosa vs. Taila Santos scrapped from UFC Vegas 16 card due to positive COVID-19 test|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz|date=2020-12-05|access-date=2020-12-05}} Santos was then rescheduled to face Gillian Robertson two weeks later at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/12/05/gillian-robertson-now-fights-taila-santos-ufc-vegas-17/|title=Gillian Robertson now fights Taila Santos at UFC Vegas 17|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2020-12-05|access-date=2020-12-06}}
A women's bantamweight bout between former UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship challenger Bethe Correia and Wu Yanan was expected to take place at this event.{{Cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/wu-yanan-set-to-face-bethe-correia-at-ufc-fight-night-186/|title=Wu Yanan set to face Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night 186|publisher=asianmma.com|author=Staff|date=2020-09-08|access-date=2020-11-29}} However, due to visa issues, they were rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar on January 16, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.br/mma/artigo/_/id/7789477/ufc-luta-de-despedida-de-bethe-correia-e-adiada-para-16-de-janeiro|title=UFC: Bethe Correia's retirement bout is postponed to January 16|publisher=espn.com.br|author=Staff|date=2020-11-23|access-date=2020-11-29}} {{in lang|pt}}
At the weigh-ins, former interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Ovince Saint Preux weighed in at 207.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the light heavyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to his opponent Jamahal Hill.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-espn-19-jack-hermansson-marvin-vettori-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream|title=UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-in results: One fighter heavy, but 11 fights official|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2020-12-04|access-date=2020-12-04}}
Along with the cancellation of the De La Rosa/Santos bout, two other fights were also removed from the event – a featherweight bout between Nate Landwehr and Movsar Evloev, as well as a flyweight bout between Cody Durden and Jimmy Flick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-announces-updates-ufc-fight-night-hermansson-vs-vettori-read|title=UFC announces updates to UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori|publisher=ufc.com|author=Staff|date=2020-12-05|access-date=2020-12-05}} The former was due to Evloev testing positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/5/22156299/movsar-evloev-vs-nate-landwehr-off-ufc-vegas-16-fight-card-due-to-positive-covid-19-test|title=Movsar Evloev vs. Nate Landwehr off UFC Vegas 16 fight card due to positive COVID-19 test|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz|date=2020-12-05|access-date=2020-12-05}} The latter was due to a non-COVID related medical issue with Durden, before being rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2020/12/5/22156298/ufc-vegas-16-just-lost-three-fights-due-to-covid-19-evloev-de-la-rosa-flick-durden-landwehr-santos|title=UFC Vegas 16 just lost three bouts in the final hours|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Dan Hiergesell|date=2020-12-05|access-date=2020-12-05}}{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-fight-night-183-three-late-additions-booked|title=UFC Fight Night 183 reaches 16 bouts after Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos, two others added|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-12-07|access-date=2020-12-07}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card (ESPN2 / ESPN+)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 49–46, 49–45)
|5
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (207.5 lb)
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|2
|3:37
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|TKO (knee to the body and elbows)
|1
|4:06
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Decision (split) (28–29, 30–27, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|KO (slam)
|1
|0:22
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (ESPN2 / ESPN+)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|2
|2:15
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|KO (punch)
|1
|2:38
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2020/12/6/22156034/official-ufc-vegas-16-bonus-winners-results-hermansson-vettori-espn-mma-leavitt-benitez-post-fight|title=Official UFC Vegas 16 bonuses: Jordan Leavitt's KO slam leads $50K winners|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Dan Hiergesell|date=2020-12-06|access-date=2020-12-06}}
- Fight of the Night: Marvin Vettori vs. Jack Hermansson
- Performance of the Night: Gabriel Benítez and Jordan Leavitt
See also
{{Portal|Martial Arts|Nevada}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{2020 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:2020 in mixed martial arts
Category:December 2020 sports events in the United States
Category:2020 in sports in Nevada
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship events in Enterprise, Nevada