UFC 260

A UFC Heavyweight Championship rematch bout between current two-time champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou headlined this event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/ufc-260-stipe-miocic-vs-francis-ngannou-rematch-booked-heavyweight-title|title=Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou rematch to headline UFC 260 in March|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2021-01-16|access-date=2021-01-17}} The pairing met previously at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018, where Miocic won via unanimous decision and broke the record for most consecutive title defenses for the division with his third.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-220-stipe-miocic-dominates-francis-ngannou-retains-heavyweight-belt-062103147.html|title=UFC 220: Stipe Miocic dominates Francis Ngannou, retains heavyweight belt|publisher=sports.yahoo.com|author=Kevin Iole|date=2018-01-21|access-date=2021-01-17}}

A UFC Featherweight Championship bout between current champion Alexander Volkanovski and former title challenger Brian Ortega would have served as the co-main event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/30722881/sources-alexander-volkanovski-defend-ufc-featherweight-title-vs-brian-ortega-ufc-260|title=Sources: Alexander Volkanovski to defend UFC featherweight title vs. Brian Ortega at UFC 260|work=espn.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2021-01-16|access-date=2021-01-17}} However, the fight was cancelled a week before taking place as Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/20/22342440/alexander-volkanovski-out-of-ufc-260-due-covid-19-protocols-fight-against-brian-ortega-rescheduled|title=Alexander Volkanovski out of UFC 260 due to COVID-19 protocols, fight against Brian Ortega to be rescheduled|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2021-03-20|access-date=2021-03-20}} The pairing was later rescheduled for UFC 266.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-14|title=Volkanovski, Shevchenko to defend at UFC 266|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31814276/alexander-volkanovski-valentina-shevchenko-set-defend-titles-ufc-266|access-date=2021-07-29|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}

Johnny Walker was expected to face Jimmy Crute in a light heavyweight bout at the event.{{Cite web|url=https://thesportsrush.com/ufc-news-jimmy-crute-vs-johnny-walker-an-intriguing-light-heavyweight-fight-set-for-march-27-2021/|title=Jimmy Crute vs. Johnny Walker: an intriguing light heavyweight fight set for March 27, 2021|publisher=thesportsrush.com|author=Prateek Arya|date=2021-01-03|access-date=2021-02-10}} However, Walker pulled out of the fight in early February citing a chest injury.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-260-johnny-walker-withdraws-torn-pectoral-injury|title=Torn pectoral muscle forces Johnny Walker out of UFC 260 fight vs. Jimmy Crute|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2021-02-09|access-date=2021-02-09}} Promotion officials elected to remove Crute from the card and reschedule him against Anthony Smith the following month at UFC 261.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-261-anthony-smith-replaces-johnny-walker-meets-jimmy-crute|title=Anthony Smith replaces Johnny Walker, meets Jimmy Crute at UFC 261 in April|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2021-02-09|access-date=2021-02-09}}

A heavyweight bout between former WSOF Heavyweight Champion Blagoy Ivanov and Marcin Tybura was scheduled to take place at the event.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/2/16/22286125/report-marcin-tybura-vs-blagoi-ivanov-slated-ufc-260-mma-news|title=Report: Marcin Tybura vs. Blagoy Ivanov slated for UFC 260|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Mookie Alexander|date=2021-02-16|access-date=2021-02-23}} However, Ivanov was pulled from the bout in late February, citing an injury.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/blagoy-ivanov-out-vs-marcin-tybura-ufc-260-injury-mma-fight-booking-matchup|title=Injury forces Blagoy Ivanov out of UFC 260 bout vs. Marcin Tybura|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2021-02-23|access-date=2021-02-23}} Tybura is now expected to compete against Walt Harris at UFC Fight Night 193 on June 5.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/ufc-news-marcin-tybura-vs-walt-harris-fight-night-announcement-booking|title=Marcin Tybura shifts to UFC Fight Night on June 5, will face Walt Harris|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun and Nolan King|date=2021-03-06|access-date=2021-03-06}}

A women's flyweight bout between Gillian Robertson and Miranda Maverick was scheduled for UFC 258, but it was cancelled on the day of the event after Robertson had a non-COVID related illness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/2/13/22282071/gillian-robertson-vs-miranda-maverick-scratched-from-ufc-258-after-robertson-falls-ill|title=Gillian Robertson vs. Miranda Maverick scratched from UFC 258 after Robertson falls ill|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2021-02-13|access-date=2021-02-24}} They eventually met at this event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-260-gillian-robertson-vs-miranda-maverick-rebooked-after-cancellation|title=After fight-day cancellation, Gillian Robertson vs. Miranda Maverick rebooked for UFC 260|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2021-02-24|access-date=2021-02-24}}

A women's strawweight bout between Randa Markos and promotional newcomer Luana Pinheiro was expected to take place at the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/randa-markos-luana-pinheiro-ufc-260|title=Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro added to UFC 260|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2021-03-05|access-date=2021-03-18}} However, Markos was removed from the card on March 18 after testing positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/randa-markos-deixa-ufc-260-por-protocolo-de-covid-19-e-luana-pinheiro-espera-por-nova-rival.ghtml|title=Randa Markos off UFC 260 for covid-19 protocol and Luana Pinheiro waits for a new rival|publisher=globoesporte.globo.com|author=Evelyn Rodrigues and Raphael Marinho|date=2021-03-18|access-date=2021-03-18}} {{in lang|pt}} The pairing was left intact and rescheduled five weeks later at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/22/22344466/randa-markos-luana-pinheiro-mayra-bueno-silva-poliana-botelho-may-1-ufc-event|title=Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro set for May 1 UFC event|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2021-03-22|access-date=2021-03-22}}

Former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion and UFC Women's Strawweight Championship challenger Jessica Penne and Hannah Goldy were expected to meet in a women's strawweight bout at the event.{{Cite web|url= https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/2/2/22261974/ufc-260-after-20-month-suspension-jessica-penne-to-return-hannah-goldy-wmma-mma-news|title=After serving 20 month suspension Jessica Penne to return at UFC 260|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Tim Bissell|date=2021-02-02|access-date=2021-03-25}} However, on March 24, Goldy tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was postponed.{{Cite web|url= https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/hannah-goldy-tests-positive-for-covid-19-fight-with-jessica-penne-at-ufc-260-off/|title=Hannah Goldy tests positive for COVID-19, fight with Jessica Penne at UFC 260 off|publisher=Bjorne.com|author=Adam Martin|date=2021-03-24|access-date=2021-03-24}} The pairing remained intact and was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/gecancelde-gevechten-en-invallers-voor-ufc-260-aankomende-zaterdag/|title=Canceled fights and substitutes for UFC 260 this Saturday|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Staff|date=2021-03-24|access-date=2021-03-24}} {{in lang|nl}}

A light heavyweight bout between Alonzo Menifield and William Knight was originally expected to take place at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/ufc-fight-night-william-knight-vs-alonzo-menifield-booked-february-27|title=William Knight vs. Alonzo Menifield added to UFC Fight Night on Feb. 27|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and Mike Bohn|date=2020-11-23|access-date=2020-03-24}} However, the bout was postponed during the week leading up to the event after Menifield tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-fight-night-186-alonzo-menifield-covid-19-william-knight-bout-canceled-delayed|title=Alonzo Menifield tests positive for COVID-19; UFC Fight Night 186 bout vs. William Knight postponed|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and Mike Bohn|date=2020-02-25|access-date=2021-03-24}} The bout was then rescheduled for this event, but this time Knight was removed due to COVID-19 protocols and was replaced by promotional newcomer Fabio Cherant.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/ufc-260-news-william-knight-covid-19-alonzo-menifield-vs-fabio-cherant|title=William Knight out of UFC 260 due to COVID-19 protocols; Alonzo Menifield meets Fabio Cherant|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2021-03-24|access-date=2021-03-24}} At the weight-ins, Cherant weighted 206.5 pounds, half a pound over the non-title light heavyweight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to Menifield.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/26/22352538/ufc-260-weigh-in-results-stipe-miocic-giving-almost-30-pounds-francis-ngannou-two-miss-first-attempt|title=UFC 260 weigh-in results: Stipe Miocic gives up almost 30 pounds to Francis Ngannou, two miss on first attempt|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2021-03-26|access-date=2021-03-26}}

This was the final event under the UFC's outfitting policy with Reebok.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31176357/ufc-new-venum-uniform-deal-gives-fighters-slight-pay-bump|title=UFC's new Venum uniform deal gives fighters slight pay bump|work=espn.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2021-04-01|access-date=2021-04-01}}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Main card}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Heavyweight

|Francis Ngannou

|def.

|Stipe Miocic (c)

|KO (punch)

|2

|0:52

|For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Vicente Luque

|def.

|Tyron Woodley

|Submission (brabo choke)

|1

|3:56

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Sean O'Malley

|def.

|Thomas Almeida

|KO (punches)

|3

|3:52

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women’s Flyweight

|Miranda Maverick

|def.

|Gillian Robertson

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Jamie Mullarkey

|def.

|Khama Worthy

|KO (punches)

|1

|0:46

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Catchweight (206.5 lb)

|Alonzo Menifield

|def.

|Fabio Cherant

|Submission (shoulder choke)

|1

|1:11

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Abubakar Nurmagomedov

|def.

|Jared Gooden

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Light Heavyweight

|Michał Oleksiejczuk

|def.

|Modestas Bukauskas

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Omar Morales

|def.

|Shane Young

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

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Early preliminary card (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Middleweight

|Marc-André Barriault

|def.

|Abu Azaitar

|TKO (punches)

|3

|4:56

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-260|title=UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2|date=5 January 2021 |publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2021-01-24}}

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-260-bonuses-50000-francis-ngannou-sean-omalley-knockouts/amp|title=UFC 260 bonuses: The new champ is among the $50,000 winners|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2021-03-27|access-date=2021-03-27}}

• Fight of the Night: Vicente Luque vs. Tyron Woodley
• Performance of the Night: Francis Ngannou and Sean O'Malley

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