UFC 181

UFC 181 was the organization's 300th event and was expected to be headlined by a Middleweight Championship bout between the current champion Chris Weidman and top contender Vitor Belfort. However, on September 22, it was announced that Weidman had suffered a broken hand and the bout was again rescheduled to take place at UFC 184. The new main event was a Welterweight championship rematch between champion Johny Hendricks and number one contender Robbie Lawler.{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/Weidman-Hurt-Hendricks-Lawler-II-Now-Headlines-UFC-181|title=Weidman Hurt; Hendricks-Lawler II Now Headlines UFC 181 |publisher=ufc.com |author=Staff |date=2014-09-22|access-date=2014-09-22}} Their first fight at UFC 171 ended in a unanimous decision victory in favor of the reigning champion.

Co-featured on the card was a Lightweight Championship bout, which also served as the coaches bout for The Ultimate Fighter Season 20, as current champion Anthony Pettis made his first title defense against Gilbert Melendez.{{cite web|url=http://www.oneworldsports.com/blogs/anthony-pettis-return-will-defend-title/|title=Anthony Pettis to return, will defend title|publisher=oneworldsports.com|author=Sam Genovase|date=2014-07-22|access-date=2014-07-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209001937/http://www.oneworldsports.com/blogs/anthony-pettis-return-will-defend-title/|archive-date=2014-12-09}}

Gian Villante was expected to face Corey Anderson at the event. However, Villante pulled out of the fight citing an injury{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/11/gian-villante-out-at-ufc-181-promotion-seeks-replacement-for-corey-anderson|title=Gian Villante out at UFC 181, promotion seeks replacement for Corey Anderson|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2014-11-13|access-date=2014-11-13}} and was replaced by Jonathan Wilson.{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/Wilson-Replaces-Injured-Villante-at-UFC-181|title=Wilson replaces injured Villante at UFC 181|publisher=ufc.com|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=2014-11-18|access-date=2014-11-18}} A few days later, it was announced that Wilson was forced out of the fight and undefeated newcomer Justin Jones took his place.{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/Newcomer-Jones-to-Face-Anderson-at-UFC-181|title=Newcomer Jones to face Anderson at UFC 181|publisher=ufc.com|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=2014-11-24|access-date=2014-11-24}}

Touted newcomer, Holly Holm was expected to face Raquel Pennington at this event. However, Holm pulled out of the fight in mid-November, citing a neck injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/11870732/ex-top-female-boxer-holly-holm-pulls-ufc-debut|title=Holly Holm pulls out of UFC debut|publisher=ESPN|author=AP Newswire|date=2014-11-13|access-date=2014-11-13}} Holm was replaced by UFC newcomer Ashlee Evans-Smith.{{cite web|url=http://www.mikethetruth.com/2014/11/ashlee-evans-smith-signs-with-ufc-replaces-holly-holm/|title=Ashlee Evans-Smith signs with UFC, replaces Holly Holm|publisher=mikethetruth.com|author=Mike Jackson|date=2014-11-18|access-date=2014-11-18}}

The unique poster and keyart for the event featured a comicbook style fight scene, drawn by noted DC Comics artist Howard Porter.

During the PPV broadcast, it was announced that former professional wrestler and WWE Champion CM Punk had signed a multi-fight deal and was expected to debut in 2015, but after an injury ultimately debuted in September 2016.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/12/former-wwe-wrestler-phil-cm-punk-brooks-signs-with-ufc-for-expected-2015-debut|title=Former WWE wrestler Phil 'CM Punk' Brooks signs with UFC for expected 2015 debut|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2014-12-07|access-date=2014-12-07}}

A month subsequent to the event, on January 7, 2015, it was revealed that Ashlee Evans-Smith had failed her post-fight drug test, testing positive for a diuretic.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/01/ashlee-evans-smith-on-nsac-agenda-ufc-notifies-camp-of-violation|title=Ashlee Evans-Smith on NSAC agenda; UFC notifies camp of failed drug test|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2015-01-07|access-date=2015-01-07}} On February 17, the Nevada State Athletic Commission ultimately decided to issue a nine-month suspension and fined her 30 percent of her purse ($2,400). She also was required to pass an additional drug test at the conclusion of her suspension before getting clearance to fight.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/02/nsac-issues-temporary-suspensions-to-silva-diaz-and-lombard-evans-smith-suspended|title=NSAC issues temporary suspensions to Silva, Diaz and Lombard; Evans-Smith suspended|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-02-17|access-date=2015-02-17}}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Main Card}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Robbie Lawler

|def.

|Johny Hendricks (c)

|Decision (split) (48–47, 47–48, 49–46)

|5

|5:00

|For the UFC Welterweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Anthony Pettis (c)

|def.

|Gilbert Melendez

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|2

|1:53

|For the UFC Lightweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Heavyweight

|Travis Browne

|def.

|Brendan Schaub

|TKO (punches)

|1

|4:50

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Heavyweight

|Todd Duffee

|def.

|Anthony Hamilton

|KO (punch)

|1

|0:33

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Tony Ferguson

|def.

|Abel Trujillo

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|2

|4:19

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Urijah Faber

|def.

|Francisco Rivera

|Submission (bulldog choke)

|2

|1:34

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Middleweight

|Josh Samman

|def.

|Eddie Gordon

|KO (head kick)

|2

|3:08

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Light Heavyweight

|Corey Anderson

|def.

|Justin Jones

|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Bantamweight

|Raquel Pennington

|def.

|Ashlee Evans-Smith

|Technical Submission (bulldog choke)

|1

|4:59

|Evans-Smith tested positive for a diuretic in her post-fight drug test.

}}

{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Sergio Pettis

|def.

|Matt Hobar

|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Clay Collard

|def.

|Alex White

|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC181|title=UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler II|publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2014-07-23}}

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-181-Bonuses-Anthony-Pettis-Sergio-Pettis-Josh-Samman-Matt-Hobar-Get-3650K-78365|title=UFC 181 Bonuses: Anthony Pettis, Sergio Pettis, Josh Samman, Matt Hobar Get $50K|author=Staff|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2014-12-06}}

• Fight of the Night: Sergio Pettis vs. Matt Hobar
• Performance of the Night: Anthony Pettis and Josh Samman

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money and also does not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/12/ufc-181-salaries-new-champ-robbie-lawler-220000-earns-top-payout|title=UFC 181 salaries: New champ Robbie Lawler ($220,000) earns top payout|publisher=MMAJunkie.com|date=December 8, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2014|author=Staff}}

• Robbie Lawler: $220,000 (includes $110,000 win bonus) def. Johny Hendricks: $150,000
• Anthony Pettis: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus) def. Gilbert Melendez: $200,000
• Travis Browne: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Brendan Schaub: $32,000
• Todd Duffee: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Anthony Hamilton: $10,000
• Tony Ferguson: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus) def. Abel Trujillo: $14,000
• Urijah Faber: $140,000 (includes $70,000 win bonus) def. Francisco Rivera: $20,000
• Josh Samman: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Eddie Gordon: $15,000
• Corey Anderson: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. Justin Jones: $8,000
• Raquel Pennington: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Ashlee Evans-Smith: $8,000
• Sergio Pettis: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. Matt Hobar: $10,000
• Clay Collard: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Alex White: $8,000

• List of UFC events
• 2014 in UFC

{{Reflist}}

{{UFC Events}}

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events

Category:2014 in mixed martial arts

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship events at Mandalay Bay Events Center

Category:2014 in sports in Nevada

Category:December 2014 sports events in the United States