UFC 97
{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts event in 2009}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name=UFC 97: Redemption
|image=New97poster.jpg
|promotion=Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date=April 18, 2009
|venue=Bell Centre
|city=Montreal, Quebec, Canada
|attendance= 21,451
|gate= $4,900,000
|previousevent=UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann
|followingevent=UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
}}
UFC 97: Redemption (not to be confused with UFC 17: Redemption) was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on April 18, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Background
This event broke the UFC attendance record that was set 364 days earlier in Montreal at UFC 83.{{cite web|url=http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-97-redemption |title=UFC 97: Redemption |publisher=tapology.com |access-date=2014-12-03}}
Due to time constraints, the preliminary bout between Sam Stout and Matt Wiman was moved to the main card, resulting in a six-fight live main card.
Sanctioning and rules controversy
On February 12, 2009, reports surfaced that province regulators ("Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux", or RACJ) requested a set of rule changes that differ from the Unified Rules of MMA put the event at risk from taking place.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8173&zoneid=2 |title=Possible Rule Changes Put UFC 97 in Jeopardy |date=February 12, 2009 |work=MMAWeekly.com |first=Ken |last=Pishna |access-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216110144/http://mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8173&zoneid=2 |archive-date=February 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The proposed rule changes banned elbow and knee strikes, mandated a smaller cage, and would stop a fight when a fighter gets knocked down.{{cite web|url=http://www.fighttrend.com/2009/02/13/possible-quebec-athletic-commission-rule-changes-puts-ufc-97-in-jeopardy/ |title=Possible Quebec Athletic Commission rule changes puts UFC 97 in jeopardy |date=February 12, 2009 |work=FightTrend.com |access-date=February 13, 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Before, the RACJ has followed the Unified Rules, but as laws differ by city, state, or province, a commission can insist on the usage of its own rules.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/2009/02/12/ufc_qac/ |title=UFC's Montreal in jeopardy? |work=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215182645/http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/2009/02/12/ufc_qac/ |archive-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
On February 18, 2009, it was announced that UFC officials were able to convince the RACJ to reverse its stand and use the Unified Rules. As a concession, the UFC agreed to the banning of foot stomps for this event.{{cite web |last=Holland |first=Jesse |url=http://mmamania.com/2009/02/18/ufc-97-to-remain-in-montreal-after-compromise-with-quebec-athletic-commission/|title=UFC 97 to remain in Montreal on April 18 |date=February 18, 2009 |work=MMAmania.com |access-date=February 18, 2009}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card (PPV)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|Anderson Silva (c)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 50–46)
|5
|5:00
|For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|4:28
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Submission (kimura)
|1
|3:53
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|2
|2:29
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Xavier Foupa-Pokam
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|TKO (elbows)
|1
|2:27
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (157)
|def.
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|1
|4:57
|Bielkheden did not make the 156 pound lightweight limit, weighing in at 157 pounds.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Decision (split) (30–27, 28–29, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
- Fight of the Night: Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman
- Knockout of the Night: Maurício Rua
- Submission of the Night: Krzysztof Soszynski
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ufc 097}}
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events
Category:April 2009 sports events in Canada
Category:Sports competitions in Montreal
Category:2009 in mixed martial arts