UFC 223

A UFC Lightweight Championship bout between interim champion and The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos welterweight winner Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov was originally expected to headline this event.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/01/tony-ferguson-vs-khabib-nurmagomedov-official-as-ufc-223-headliner-title-stakes-unclear|title=Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov official as UFC 223 headliner; title stakes unclear|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-01-18|access-date=2018-01-18}} The pairing had previously been scheduled and cancelled for various reasons on three occasions over the previous three years (The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale, UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans and UFC 209).{{cite web |url= http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/10/30/9645620/edson-barboza-steps-in-for-khabib-nurmagomedov-to-face-tony-ace-tony-ferguson |title= Edson Barboza steps in for Khabib Nurmagomedov to face Tony Ferguson at TUF Finale |publisher= mmafighting.com |author= Marc Raimondi |date= 2015-10-30 |access-date= 2018-01-18}}{{cite web |url= http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ufc-tony-ferguson-out-rashad-evans-vs-glover-teixeira-set-as-new-main-event-040516|title=Tony Ferguson out; Rashad Evans vs. Glover Teixeira set as new main event|work=foxsports.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2016-04-05|access-date=2018-01-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2017/3/3/14805818/ufc-releases-statement-on-khabib-nurmagomedov|title=UFC releases statement on Khabib Nurmagomedov|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2017-03-03|access-date=2018-01-18}} Due to the inactivity of former UFC Featherweight Champion and current lightweight champion Conor McGregor, the promotion has indicated that he would be stripped of his title and that the winner of the proposed Ferguson/Nurmagomedov bout would become the undisputed champion.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/01/tony-ferguson-vs-khabib-nurmagomedov-title-fight-ufc-222-or-ufc-223-conor-mcgregor-stripped|title=UFC plans Tony Ferguson-Khabib Nurmagomedov title fight; Conor McGregor would be stripped|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Mike Bohn and Simon Simano|date=2018-01-15|access-date=2018-01-15}} Despite confirming on January 19 that the winner of this bout would become the de facto champion, UFC president Dana White did not confirm if McGregor would be stripped.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/01/tony-ferguson-khabib-nurmanurmagomedov-ufc-223-new-champion-conor-mcgregor-not-stripped-yet|title=Ferguson-Nurmagomedov will crown new UFC lightweight champ; McGregor status in limbo|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2018-01-19|access-date=2018-01-19}}

For the fourth time in four years, the bout fell apart, as Ferguson pulled out of the fight on April 1 due to a knee injury. He was replaced by then UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway. If successful, Holloway would have become only the second fighter to be champion in two divisions simultaneously (after McGregor who won the lightweight title at UFC 205 when he was the reigning featherweight champion) as well as the fifth overall to win titles in different divisions.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/1/17186764/tony-ferguson-out-of-ufc-223-max-holloway-to-step-in-and-face-khabib-nurmagomedov-lightweight-title|title=Tony Ferguson out of UFC 223, Max Holloway to step in and face Khabib Nurmagomedov for lightweight title|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2018-04-01|access-date=2018-04-01}} On weigh-in day, the main event suffered another set back as Holloway was deemed medically unfit to compete and then removed from the event.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/6/17205942/max-holloway-out-of-ufc-223-main-event-against-khabib-nurmagomedov|title=Max Holloway out of UFC 223 main event against Khabib Nurmagomedov|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=2018-04-06|access-date=2018-04-06}} The UFC targeted former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis as his replacement, after Pettis' bout against Michael Chiesa was scrapped due to an incident caused by McGregor (see section below). Pettis weighed in at 155.2 pounds in his first attempt, and despite being given extra time to make the championship weight limit of 155 pounds, he did not weigh in again.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/ufc-223-brooklyn-max-holloway-khabib-nurmagomedov-rose-namajunas-joanna-jedrzejczyk-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream|title=UFC 223 weigh-in results: Holloway out, Khabib set – but potential opponent in flux|publisher=mmajunkiecom|author=Staff|date=2018-04-06|access-date=2018-04-06}}

After Holloway was pulled from the event, Paul Felder also offered to step in to face Nurmagomedov as he weighed in at 155, but the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) declined it due to Felder being unranked in the UFC official rankings.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/nysac-rules-out-paul-felder-ufc-223-headliner-unranked-khabib-nurmagomedov-new-york-max-holloway|title=NYSAC rules out Paul Felder as UFC 223 headliner opposite Khabib Nurmagomedov because he's unranked|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2018-04-06|access-date=2018-04-06}} The UFC booked Felder's opponent Al Iaquinta instead.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/6/17207284/khabib-nurmagomedov-vs-al-iaquinta-is-new-ufc-223-main-event|title=Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta is new UFC 223 main event|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2018-04-06|access-date=2018-04-06}} Due to weighing 0.2 lb over the championship weight limit, Iaquinta would not be officially eligible for the title in case he won, but UFC president Dana White expressed that he would be considered champion by the UFC, and treated as such to the extent possible under regulations.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/dana-white-declares-khabib-nurmagomedov-vs-al-iaquinta-lightweight-title-ufc-223|title=Dana White declares Al Iaquinta eligible for lightweight title at UFC 223 – sort of|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2018-04-07|access-date=2018-04-07}} The NYSAC later reaffirmed that Iaquinta could not be officially recognized as champion.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/7/17210992/nysac-executive-director-kim-sumbler-explains-why-al-iaquinta-couldnt-be-champion-at-ufc-223|title=NYSAC executive director Kim Sumbler explains why Al Iaquinta couldn't be champion if he wins at UFC 223|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2018-04-07|access-date=2018-04-07}} Both Felder and Pettis were also off the event. The bout between Iaquinta and Felder was originally scheduled for UFC 218. However, Iaquinta pulled out due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was rescheduled for this event.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/10/31/16586154/ufc-218-loses-paul-felder-vs-al-iaquinta|title=UFC 218 loses Paul Felder vs. Al Iaquinta|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2017-10-31|access-date=2018-01-15}}{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/01/take-2-paul-felder-vs-al-iaquinta-booked-for-ufc-223|title=Take 2? Paul Felder vs. Al Iaquinta booked for UFC 223|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-01-14|access-date=2018-01-15}}

A UFC Women's Strawweight Championship bout between the current champion Rose Namajunas and former champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk served as the co-headliner for this event.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/01/rose-namajunas-vs-joanna-jedrzejczyk-rematch-official-ufc-223|title=Rose Namajunas to defend title vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk in rematch at UFC 223|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-01-17|access-date=2018-01-19}} The pairing previously met in November 2017 at UFC 217 with Namajunas winning the title via knockout in the first round.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-217-results-rose-namajunas-crushes-joanna-jedrzejczyk-to-win-strawweight-title/|title=UFC 217 results: Rose Namajunas crushes Joanna Jedrzejczyk to win strawweight title|publisher=cbasports.com|author=Brian Campbell|date=2017-11-05|access-date=2018-01-19}}

Mairbek Taisumov was expected to face Evan Dunham at the event. However, Taisumov withdrew from the fight on March 9 over visa delays.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/3/9/17099896/mairbek-taisumov-withdraws-from-ufc-223-due-to-visa-delay|title=Mairbek Taisumov withdraws from UFC 223 due to visa delay|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Peter Carroll|date=2018-03-09|access-date=2018-03-09}} Dunham faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier at the event.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/3/11/17106382/olivier-aubin-mercier-to-fight-evan-dunham-at-ufc-223|title=Olivier Aubin-Mercier to fight Evan Dunham at UFC 223|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2018-03-11|access-date=2018-03-11}}

On April 5, following the event's media day, Conor McGregor and his crew attacked a bus containing several fighters scheduled to compete at the event, just as it was leaving the arena following a press conference. Nurmagomedov and two teammates were inside that bus. The attack included objects being thrown through a window, which then shattered.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/5/17203162/conor-mcgregor-crew-allegedly-cause-chaotic-scene-after-ufc-223-media-day|title=Conor McGregor, crew cause chaotic scene after UFC 223 media day|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=2018-04-05|access-date=2018-04-06}} As a result of this act, the event suffered several changes:

• Artem Lobov was expected to face Alex Caceres, but the bout was scrapped after Lobov was removed from the event due to his direct involvement in the incident.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/5/17203782/artem-lobov-pulled-from-ufc-223-after-alleged-involvement-in-conor-mcgregor-incident|title=Artem Lobov pulled from UFC 223 after alleged involvement in Conor McGregor incident|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2018-04-05|access-date=2018-04-06}}
• The Ultimate Fighter: Live lightweight winner Michael Chiesa was expected to face former WEC and UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis, but was pulled from the bout due to multiple cuts from a broken window.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/5/17204810/michael-chiesa-vs-anthony-pettis-scratched-from-ufc-223-after-conor-mcgregor-incident|title=Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis scratched from UFC 223 after Conor McGregor incident|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=2018-04-05|access-date=2018-04-06}}
• A flyweight bout between former UFC Flyweight Championship challenger Ray Borg and Brandon Moreno was expected to take place seven weeks earlier at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros. However, due to a minor injury sustained by Moreno, the pairing was delayed and rescheduled to take place at this event.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/1/31/16957586/injury-postpones-ray-borg-vs-brandon-moreno-to-ufc-223-in-brooklyn|title=Injury postpones Ray Borg vs. Brandon Moreno to UFC 223 in Brooklyn|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2018-01-31|access-date=2018-01-31}} This bout was also scrapped, after Borg had issues related to glass shards in his eye.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/5/17204860/ray-borg-vs-brandon-moreno-pulled-from-ufc-223-in-latest-conor-mcgregor-incident-casualty|title=Ray Borg vs. Brandon Moreno pulled from UFC 223 in latest Conor McGregor incident casualty|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2018-04-05|access-date=2018-04-06}}

McGregor eventually turned himself in to the NYPD and was held in custody as charges were filed. He was later arrested alongside SBG teammate Cian Cowley and charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/6/17205472/conor-mcgregor-charged-with-three-counts-assault-one-count-criminal-mischief-for-bus-attack|title=Conor McGregor charged with three counts of assault, one count of criminal mischief for bus attack|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Peter Caroll|date=2018-04-06|access-date=2018-04-06}} They were released with a bail of $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/6/17206552/conor-mcgregors-bail-set-for-50000-has-next-hearing-june-14|title=Conor McGregor's bail set for $50,000, has next hearing June 14|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2018-04-06|access-date=2018-04-06}} The charges were dropped in late July after McGregor pleaded no contest to a count of disorderly conduct for his role in the melee and performed five days of community service.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/26/conor-mcgregor-brooklyn-plea-deal-jail-time|title=Conor McGregor avoids jail time with plea deal for Brooklyn melee|publisher=theguardian.com |date=2018-07-26|access-date=2018-07-26}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2018/07/27/conor-mcgregor-ufc-future-dana-white/854129002/|title=Dana White: Conor McGregor unlikely to face punishment from UFC for bus attack|publisher=usatoday.com |author=Mike Bohn and John Morgan|date=2018-07-27|access-date=2018-07-27}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2018/7/28/17624212/dana-white-conor-mcgregor-good-following-ufc-223-bus-attack-mma-news|title=Dana White: Conor McGregor and I 'are good' following UFC 223 bus attack, plea deal|publisher=bloodyelbow.com |author=Mookie Alexander|date=2018-07-28|access-date=2018-07-28}}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Main Card}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Khabib Nurmagomedov

|def.

|Al Iaquinta

|Decision (unanimous) (50–44, 50–43, 50–43)

|5

|5:00

|For the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship (only Nurmagomedov was eligible).

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Strawweight

|Rose Namajunas (c)

|def.

|Joanna Jędrzejczyk

|Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 49–46, 49–46)

|5

|5:00

|For the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Renato Moicano

|def.

|Calvin Kattar

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Zabit Magomedsharipov

|def.

|Kyle Bochniak

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Chris Gruetzemacher

|def.

|Joe Lauzon

|TKO (corner stoppage)

|2

|5:00

|

}}

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

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Strawweight

|Karolina Kowalkiewicz

|def.

|Felice Herrig

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Olivier Aubin-Mercier

|def.

|Evan Dunham

|TKO (knees to the body and punches)

|1

|0:53

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Flyweight

|Ashlee Evans-Smith

|def.

|Bec Rawlings

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Light Heavyweight

|Devin Clark

|def.

|Mike Rodríguez

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC-223|title=UFC 223: Khabib vs. Iaquinta|publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2018-01-18}}

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/ufc-223-bonuses-zabit-magomedsharipov-kyle-bochniak-fight-of-night-olivier-aubin-mercier-chris-gruetzemacher-mma-brooklyn|title=UFC 223 bonuses: Magomedsharipov-Bochniak an all-time no-brainer for 'Fight of Night'|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2018-04-08|access-date=2018-04-08}}

• Fight of the Night: Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Kyle Bochniak
• Performance of the Night: Chris Gruetzemacher and Olivier Aubin-Mercier

• List of UFC events
• 2018 in UFC
• List of current UFC fighters
• Mixed martial arts in New York

{{Reflist}}

{{UFC Events}}

{{2018 in mixed martial arts}}

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events

Category:2018 in mixed martial arts

Category:Mixed martial arts in New York (state)

Category:Sports competitions in Brooklyn

Category:2018 in sports in New York (state)

Category:April 2018 sports events in the United States