UFC 207
{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts event in 2016}}
{{Infobox MMA event
| name = UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey
| image = UFC_207_Poster.jpg
| promotion = Ultimate Fighting Championship
| date = {{start date|2016|12|30}}
| venue = T-Mobile Arena
| city = Paradise, Nevada
| previousevent = UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson
| followingevent = UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn
}}
UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held on December 30, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area.{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/ufc-207-set-las-vegas-december|title=UFC 207 set for Las Vegas in December|publisher=reviewjournal.com|author=Adam Hill|date=2016-08-19|access-date=2016-08-19}}
Background
File:Ronda Rousey retouch.jpg at UFC 193 in November 2015.]]
The event was headlined by a UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Amanda Nunes and former champion Ronda Rousey.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ronda-rousey-returns-at-ufc-207-to-face-amanda-nunes-101216|title=Ronda Rousey returns at UFC 207 to face Amanda Nunes|work=foxsports.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2016-10-12|access-date=2016-10-12}}
A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between then champion Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt co-headlined the event.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/10/ufc-bantamweight-champ-dominick-cruz-meets-cody-garbrandt-in-ufc-207-co-headliner|title=UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz meets Cody Garbrandt in UFC 207 co-headliner|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-10-24|access-date=2015-10-24}}
A potential heavyweight title eliminator bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champions Fabrício Werdum and Cain Velasquez was expected to take place on the card.{{cite news|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/15/12930664/fabricio-werdum-vs-cain-velasquez-2-targeted-for-ufc-207|title=Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez 2 targeted for UFC 207|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2016-09-15|access-date=2016-09-15}} The pairing met previously in June 2015 at UFC 188, with then interim champion Werdum unifying the title with Velasquez's undisputed title, as he won the fight via submission in the third round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/06/ufc-188-results-fabricio-werdum-taps-out-cain-velasquez-for-shocking-title-upset|title=UFC 188 results: Fabricio Werdum taps out Cain Velasquez for shocking title upset|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2015-06-14|access-date=2016-10-21}} However the Nevada State Athletic Commission, after analyzing physical examinations and interviews, deemed Velasquez unfit to compete due to prior injuries, and pulled him from the event on December 24. The bout was eventually scrapped, and Werdum was removed from the card as well.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/cain-velasquez-out-of-ufc-207-bout-with-fabrico-werdum|title=Cain Velasquez out of UFC 207 bout with Fabrico Werdum|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-12-24|access-date=2016-12-24}}
Another potential title eliminator included a bantamweight bout between former champion T.J. Dillashaw and John Lineker.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/17948948/tj-dillashaw-john-lineker-part-ufc-207|title=T.J. Dillashaw against John Lineker to be part of UFC 207|work=espn.com|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2016-11-02|access-date=2016-11-02}}
Matt Brown was expected to face former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Tarec Saffiedine at the event.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/10/18/13317784/matt-brown-vs-tarec-saffiedine-targeted-for-ufc-207|title=Matt Brown vs. Tarec Saffiedine targeted for UFC 207|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2016-10-18|access-date=2016-10-18}} However, Brown was pulled from the fight on November 11 in favor of a matchup with former UFC Lightweight Championship challenger Donald Cerrone three weeks earlier at UFC 206.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/11/11/13601562/donald-cerrone-vs-matt-brown-slated-for-ufc-206|title=Donald Cerrone vs. Matt Brown slated for UFC 206|author=Dave Doyle|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=2016-11-11|access-date=2016-11-11}} Saffiedine instead faced Dong Hyun Kim.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/11/tarec-saffiedine-gets-replacement-dong-hyun-kim-at-ufc-207-in-las-vegas|title=Tarec Saffiedine gets replacement Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 207 in Las Vegas|author=Mike Bohn|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2016-11-16|access-date=2016-11-16}}
Maryna Moroz was very briefly linked to a fight with Jéssica Andrade at the event.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/12/6/13854826/mma-news-jessica-andrade-vs-maryna-moroz-ufc-207|title=Andrade vs. Moroz not happening at UFC 207 (Updated)|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Mookie Alexander|date=2016-12-06|access-date=2016-12-06}} On December 7 Moroz was replaced by Invicta FC Strawweight Champion Angela Hill.{{cite web |url=http://www.olimpomma.com/angela-hill-substitui-moroz-e-enfrenta-jessica-andrade-no-ufc-207/|title=Angela Hill replaces Moroz and faces Jéssica Andrade at UFC 207|author=Gabriel Carvalho|publisher=olimpomma.com|date=2016-12-07|access-date=2016-12-07|language=pt}} Hill was then ruled out of fighting at UFC 207 because of a rule in the UFC's anti-doping policy with USADA, but not because she had failed a drug test. The pair eventually fought at UFC Fight Night 104, with Andrade winning by unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/12/13/13944112/angela-hill-s-ufc-return-on-hold-due-to-four-month-returning-fighter|title=Hill's UFC return on hold due to USADA rule|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2016-12-13|access-date=2016-12-13}} Subsequently, Andrade was removed from the card and was rescheduled for that event.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-207-lineup-finalized-again-louis-smolka-vs-ray-borg-opens-main-card-on-pay-per-view|title=UFC 207 lineup finalized again: Louis Smolka vs. Ray Borg opens main card on pay-per-view|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-12-21|access-date=2016-12-21}}
Sabah Homasi was linked to a fight with Brandon Thatch at the event.{{cite web |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/welterweight-bout-added-ufc-207-card|title=Welterweight bout added to UFC 207 card|publisher=reviewjournal.com|author=Adam Hill|date=2016-10-17|access-date=2016-10-17}} However, Homasi pulled out due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Niko Price.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/sabah-homasi-out-brandon-thatch-meets-newcomer-niko-price-at-ufc-207/|title=Sabah Homasi out, Brandon Thatch meets newcomer Niko Price at UFC 207|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-12-12|access-date=2016-12-12}}
This was the last event in which longtime play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg participated. He made his debut in 1997 at UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/dana-white-confirms-ufc-207-is-mike-goldbergs-last-event-as-commentator|title=Dana White confirms UFC 207 is Mike Goldberg's last event as commentator|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco and John Morgan|date=2016-12-28|access-date=2016-12-28}}
At the weigh-ins, former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks and Ray Borg missed weight for their bouts, weighing in at 173.5 lb and 129.5 lb, respectively. As a result, they were fined 20% and 30% of their respective fight purses, which went to their respective opponents Neil Magny and Louis Smolka. Later, Hendricks would move up in weight to the 185 pound division, as a result of consistent weight misses.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-207-early-weigh-in-results-and-live-video-stream-noon-et|title=UFC 207 early weigh-in results: Rousey hits 135, Hendricks and Borg miss weight|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-12-29|access-date=2016-12-29}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main Card}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Bantamweight
|Amanda Nunes (c)
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|0:48
|For the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|Dominick Cruz (c)
|Decision (unanimous) (48–46, 48–47, 48–46)
|5
|5:00
|For the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Decision (split) (27–30, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (129.5 lb)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–26, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (173.5 lb)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|KO (punch)
|1
|3:34
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|1
|4:30
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|vs.
|No Contest (illegal knees)
|1
|3:33
|Means landed several knees to Oliveira's head, who was considered a downed opponent by the referee.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/12/30/14131860/ufc-207-results-alex-oliveira-vs-tim-means-ends-in-bizarre-no-contest|title=UFC 207 results: Alex Oliveira vs. Tim Means ends in bizarre no-contest|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2016-12-30|access-date=2016-12-30}}
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-207-bonuses-amanda-nunes-and-alex-garcia-pick-up-50000-for-their-brutal-knockouts/|title=UFC 207 bonuses: Amanda Nunes and Alex Garcia pick up $50,000 for their brutal knockouts|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|access-date=2016-12-31|date=2016-12-31}}
- Fight of the Night: Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt
- Performance of the Night: Amanda Nunes and Alex Garcia
Reported payout
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. The total disclosed payout for the event was $4,683,000.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/final-ufc-207-salaries-champ-amanda-nunes-gets-200k-ronda-rousey-3-million/|title=Final UFC 207 salaries: Champ Amanda Nunes gets $200K, Ronda Rousey $3 million|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-12-31|access-date=2016-12-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101004829/http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/final-ufc-207-salaries-champ-amanda-nunes-gets-200k-ronda-rousey-3-million|archive-date=2017-01-01}}
- Amanda Nunes: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus) def. Ronda Rousey: $3,000,000
- Cody Garbrandt: $200,000 (no win bonus) def. Dominick Cruz: $350,000
- T.J. Dillashaw: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus) def. John Lineker: $43,000
- Dong Hyun Kim: $134,000 (includes $67,000 win bonus) def. Tarec Saffiedine: $40,000
- Ray Borg: $30,600 (includes $18,000 win bonus) def. Louis Smolka: $37,400 ¹
- Neil Magny: $114,000 (includes $47,000 win bonus) def. Johny Hendricks: $80,000 ²
- Antônio Carlos Júnior: $42,000 (includes $21,000 win bonus) def. Marvin Vettori: $12,000
- Alex Garcia: $36,000 (includes $18,000 win bonus) def. Mike Pyle: $55,000
- Niko Price: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Brandon Thatch: $22,000
- Alex Oliveira: $28,000 vs. Tim Means: $35,000 ³
¹ Ray Borg was fined 30 percent of his purse ($5,400) for failing to make the required weight for his fight with Louis Smolka. That money was issued to Smolka, an NSAC official confirmed.
² Johny Hendricks was fined 20 percent of his purse ($20,000) for failing to make the required weight for his fight with Neil Magny. That money was issued to Magny, an NSAC official confirmed.
³ Both fighters earned show money; no win bonus since fight ended in a no-contest.
Records set
The final attendance was 18,533, a record for Nevada, which had hosted 107 prior UFC events. Rousey's fight purse equaled the highest in history, which was Conor McGregor's record from UFC 202. Despite that, McGregor's UFC 205 purse is widely known as the highest one (no value is officially disclosed), even though the NYSAC does not release fight purses from events held in their jurisdiction.