UFC 189

The event took place during the UFC's annual International Fight Week.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/09/ufc-189-set-for-july-11-in-las-vegas-following-2015-international-fight-week|title=UFC 189 set for July 11 in Las Vegas following 2015 'International Fight Week'|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2014-09-25|access-date=2015-01-31}}

The event was expected to be headlined by a UFC Featherweight Championship bout between the then champion José Aldo and Conor McGregor. On June 23, it was reported that Aldo suffered a rib fracture and pulled out of the bout in light of the injury.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/06/jose-aldo-injured-questionable-for-ufc-189-bout-with-conor-mcgregor|title=Champ Jose Aldo injured, questionable for UFC 189 bout with Conor McGregor|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-06-23|access-date=2015-06-24}} On June 30, it was confirmed that Aldo indeed pulled out of the bout and that the interim championship bout would take place at this event. The bout remained the event headliner.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/06/jose-aldo-officially-out-of-ufc-189-chad-mendes-meets-conor-mcgregor-for-interim-belt|title=Jose Aldo officially out of UFC 189; Chad Mendes meets Conor McGregor for interim belt|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2015-06-30|access-date=2015-06-30}} On July 1, photographs of Aldo's scans were released and indicated that he had indeed suffered a fractured rib.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/07/heres-a-picture-of-the-rib-that-forced-champ-jose-aldo-out-of-ufc-189|title=Here's a picture of the rib that forced champ Jose Aldo out of UFC 189|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-07-01|access-date=2015-07-02}} On July 10, White claimed that Aldo did not have a broken rib as "every x-ray he sent out was of an old injury". He reaffirmed that Aldo had a "bruised rib and cartilage" and that the biggest problem was the weight cutting process being complicated by the injury. They later fought at UFC 194.{{cite news|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/7/10/8930591/dana-white-jose-aldo-did-not-have-a-broken-rib-the-x-rays-he-released|title=Dana White: Jose Aldo 'did not have a broken rib,' the x-rays he released were of an 'old injury'.|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=2015-07-10|access-date=2015-07-10}}

The co-main event featured a UFC Welterweight Championship bout between then champion Robbie Lawler and top contender Rory MacDonald.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/02/champ-robbie-lawler-meets-rory-macdonald-at-ufc-189-as-events-second-title-fight|title=Champ Robbie Lawler meets Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 as event's second title fight|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-02-18|access-date=2015-02-18}} Their first fight at UFC 167 ended in a split decision victory for Lawler.{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasy.com/fighting/item/12369-robbie-lawler-beats-up-rory-macdonald-and-nabs-the-split-decision|title=Robbie Lawler beats up Rory MacDonald and nabs the split-decision|publisher=middleasy.com|author=Jason Nawara |date=2013-11-17|access-date=2015-02-18}}

Matt Brown was briefly linked to a bout with Nate Diaz at the event.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/04/nate-diaz-returns-to-welterweight-meets-matt-brown-on-stacked-ufc-189-in-las-vegas|title=Nate Diaz returns to welterweight, meets Matt Brown on stacked UFC 189 in Las Vegas|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-04-08|access-date=2015-04-08}} However, in mid-April, Brown announced that the pairing had been scrapped.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/04/matt-brown-says-hes-no-longer-fighting-nate-diaz-at-ufc-189|title=Matt Brown says he's no longer fighting Nate Diaz at UFC 189|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-04-15|access-date=2015-04-15}} Brown remained on the card against Tim Means.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/04/matt-brown-vs-tim-means-added-to-ufc-189|title=Matt Brown vs. Tim Means added to UFC 189|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-04-21|access-date=2015-04-21}}

A welterweight bout between Jake Ellenberger and Stephen Thompson was initially expected to take place at this event. However, in mid-May, the bout was made the main event of The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale which took place a day later at the same venue.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/05/ufc-fight-night-70-moves-to-florida-gets-machida-vs-romero-tuf-21-finale-set-for-vegas|title=UFC Fight Night 70 moves to Florida, gets Machida-Romero; TUF 21 Finale set for Vegas|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-05-15|access-date=2015-05-15}}

John Hathaway was expected to face Gunnar Nelson at the event. However, on June 23, Hathaway pulled out of the bout due to an injury. This prompted a shift in another welterweight bout on the card as Brandon Thatch was pulled from his fight against John Howard to face Nelson, while Cathal Pendred was announced as Howard's new opponent. Pendred had previously fought only 28 days before the event, when he defeated Augusto Montaño at UFC 188.{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/Welterweight-Shuffle-at-UFC-189|title=Welterweight shuffle at UFC 189|publisher=ufc.com|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=2015-06-23|access-date=2015-06-23}}

Jeremy Stephens missed weight on his first attempt, coming in 3.5 lb overweight at 149.5 lb. After having made no attempts to cut further, he was fined 20 percent of his fight purse, which went to Dennis Bermudez.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-189-weigh-in-results-mendes-vs-mcgregor-make-weight-then-pulled-apart|title=UFC 189 weigh-in results: Mendes vs. McGregor make weight then pulled apart|publisher=mmaweekly.com|author=Staff|date=2015-07-11|access-date=2015-07-11}}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Main Card}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Conor McGregor

|def.

|Chad Mendes

|TKO (punches)

|2

|4:57

|For the interim UFC Featherweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Robbie Lawler (c)

|def.

|Rory MacDonald

|TKO (punches)

|5

|1:00

|For the UFC Welterweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Catchweight (149.5 lb)

|Jeremy Stephens

|def.

|Dennis Bermudez

|TKO (Flying knee and punches)

|3

|0:32

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Gunnar Nelson

|def.

|Brandon Thatch

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|1

|2:54

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Thomas Almeida

|def.

|Brad Pickett

|KO (flying knee)

|2

|0:29

|

}}

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

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Matt Brown

|def.

|Tim Means

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|1

|4:44

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Alex Garcia

|def.

|Mike Swick

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|John Howard

|def.

|Cathal Pendred

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Cody Garbrandt

|def.

|Henry Briones

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

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

{{MMAevent bout

|Flyweight

|Louis Smolka

|def.

|Neil Seery

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Cody Pfister

|def.

|Yosdenis Cedeno

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC189|title=UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor|publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2015-06-30}}

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/07/ufc-189-bonuses-fight-of-the-night-its-dana-whites-fight-of-the-ever|title=UFC 189 bonuses: 'Fight of the Night'? It's Dana White's 'Fight of the … Ever'|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2015-07-12|access-date=2015-07-12}}

• Fight of the Night: Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald
• Performance of the Night: Conor McGregor and Thomas Almeida

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/2015/07/ufc-189-salaries-conor-mcgregor-and-chad-mendes-both-earn-flat-500k|title=UFC 189 salaries: Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes both earn flat $500K|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2015-07-13|access-date=2015-07-13|author=Staff}}

• Conor McGregor: $500,000 (no win bonus) def. Chad Mendes: $500,000
• Robbie Lawler: $300,000 (includes $150,000 win bonus) def. Rory MacDonald: $59,000
• Jeremy Stephens: $72,000 (includes $40,000 win bonus) def. Dennis Bermudez: $34,000 ^
• Gunnar Nelson: $58,000 (includes $29,000 win bonus) def. Brandon Thatch: $22,000
• Thomas Almeida: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Brad Pickett: $30,000
• Matt Brown: $92,000 (includes $46,000 win bonus) def. Tim Means: $23,000
• Alex Garcia: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. Mike Swick: $48,000
• John Howard: $42,000 (includes $21,000 win bonus) def. Cathal Pendred: $10,000
• Cody Garbrandt: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Henry Briones: $10,000
• Louis Smolka: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. Neil Seery: $10,000
• Cody Pfister: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Yosdenis Cedeno: $13,000

^ Jeremy Stephens was fined 20 percent of his purse ($8,000) for failing to make the required weight for his fight with Dennis Bermudez. That money was issued to Bermudez, an NSAC official confirmed.

The event's weigh-ins took place before a record crowd estimated at 11,500.

The event had a $7,200,000 gate, which broke the record for a mixed martial arts event in the United States. The final attendance for the event was 16,019, a record for Nevada, which had hosted 91 prior UFC events.

Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald was named 2015's Fight of the Year by Sherdog{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Todd |title=Sherdog.com's 2015 Fight of the Year - Lawler vs. MacDonald |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Sherdogcoms-2015-Fight-of-the-Year-97893 |website=Sherdog |access-date=13 June 2022 |language=en |date=31 December 2015}} and MMA Fighting.{{cite web |last1=Raimondi |first1=Marc |title=2015 Fight of the Year: Lawler vs. MacDonald |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/12/29/10650846/2015-fight-of-the-year-robbie-lawler-vs-rory-macdonald-ufc-189 |website=MMA Fighting |access-date=13 June 2022 |language=en |date=29 December 2015}} Numerous sources regard it as the greatest fight in the history of the promotion, and it was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight wing in 2023.{{cite web | title=Sherdog's Top 10: Best MMA Fights of All-Time | website=Sherdog | date=2016-06-16 | url=//www.sherdog.com/news/articles/8/Sherdogs-Top-10-Best-MMA-Fights-of-AllTime-106475 | access-date=2023-04-25}}{{cite web | title=The Greatest MMA Fights of All Time | website=Tapology | date=2020-12-02 | url=https://www.tapology.com/rankings/all-time-greatest-fights-in-mma-and-ufc-history | access-date=2023-04-25}}{{cite web | title=8 Best Fights In UFC History | website=BetMGM | date=2022-09-09 | url=https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/ufc/8-best-fights-in-ufc-history-bm05/ | access-date=2023-04-25}}

This was the first event to feature the UFC's Reebok fight kits, which were announced on December 2, 2014 and officially revealed on June 30, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/06/what-you-need-to-know-about-new-ufc-reebok-fight-kit-uniforms-and-gear|title=What you need to know about new UFC-Reebok 'fight kit' uniforms and gear|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-06-30|access-date=2015-06-30}}

For the main event, the entrance music was performed live. Sinéad O'Connor sang "Foggy Dew" for McGregor and Aaron Lewis and his band played "Country Boy" for Mendes.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/07/ufc-189-results-conor-mcgregor-gets-title-with-second-round-tko-of-chad-mendes|title=UFC 189 results: Conor McGregor gets title with second-round TKO of Chad Mendes|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2015-07-12|access-date=2015-07-12}}

• List of UFC events
• 2015 in UFC

{{Reflist}}

{{UFC Events}}

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events

Category:2015 in mixed martial arts

Category:July 2015 sports events in the United States

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship events at MGM Grand Garden Arena

Category:2015 in sports in Nevada