UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw
{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts event in 2019}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name= UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw
|image=220px
|promotion=Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date={{start date|2019|01|19}}
|venue=Barclays Center
|previousevent=UFC 232: Jones vs. Gustafsson 2
|followingevent=UFC 233 (cancelled)
}}
UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw (also known as UFC Fight Night 143 or UFC on ESPN+ 1) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on January 19, 2019, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/ufc-announces-2019-first-quarter-schedule-espn-debut|title=UFC announces 2019 first quarter schedule: ESPN debut Jan. 19 in Brooklyn|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-11-04|access-date=2018-11-04}}
Background
The event was the first in the promotion's five-year contract with ESPN and the first to be broadcast on the network's fledgling streaming service ESPN+, which was launched less than a month after the initial announcement in April 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/23581729/espn-ufc-reach-five-year-television-rights-deal|title=ESPN to broadcast 30 UFC events per year during 5-year deal|work=espn.com|author=ESPN Newswire|date=2018-05-23|access-date=2018-09-05}} It generated 525,000 new subscribers to the service on the day of the event alone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/1/21/18191215/ufc-espn-debut-525000-new-subscribers-saturday-night-mma-news|title=UFC's ESPN+ debut pulls in 525,000 new subscribers on Saturday night|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Mookie Alexander|date=2019-01-21|access-date=2019-01-22}} It was also the first UFC event to showcase the new UFC legacy belt, which was given out to the winner of Cejudo vs. Dillashaw.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-18 |title=At long last, UFC on ESPN+ 1 unveils the new UFC Legacy Belt |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/01/ufc-on-espn-plus-1-unveils-new-ufc-legacy-belt-brooklyn-cejudo-dillashaw-title |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |language=en-US}}
{{multiple image
| align = left
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Henry Cejudo.jpg
| width1 = 2500 | height1 = 2000
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = TJ Dillashaw.png
| width2 = 2500 | height2 = 2900
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = Cejudo (left) is the first Olympic champion to become a UFC champion. Meanwhile, Dillashaw (right) the first challenger in a champion vs. champion bout to drop a division.
}}
A UFC Flyweight Championship bout between 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling and current champion Henry Cejudo and current two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw headlined this event.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Henry-Cejudo-vs-TJ-Dillashaw-Moved-from-UFC-233-to-Headline-UFC-Debut-on-ESPN43-146595|title=Henry Cejudo vs. T.J. Dillashaw moved from UFC 233 to headline UFC debut on ESPN+|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2018-12-05|access-date=2018-12-06}} If successful, Dillashaw would become the third man to be champion in two divisions simultaneously and fourth fighter overall (after Conor McGregor at UFC 205, Daniel Cormier at UFC 226 and Amanda Nunes at UFC 232), as well as the seventh person overall to win a title in different divisions. This was the fifth time in UFC history that champions in different divisions fought for the same title, following UFC 94, UFC 205, UFC 226 and UFC 232. The pairing was initially expected to take place at UFC 233 a week later, but was moved on December 5.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/henry-cejudo-vs-tj-dillashaw-title-fight-official-ufc-233-anaheim|title=Henry Cejudo vs. T.J. Dillashaw flyweight title fight official for UFC 233 in Anaheim|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-11-26|access-date=2018-11-27}}
A women's flyweight bout between Rachael Ostovich and Paige VanZant was originally canceled on November 20 due to Ostovich being assaulted by her husband, resulting in a broken orbital bone.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmanytt.com/ufc/rachael-ostovich-ruled-out-of-her-fight-against-paige-vanzant/|title=Rachael Ostovich ruled out of her fight against Paige VanZant|publisher=mmanytt.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2018-11-20|access-date=2018-11-20}} However, after getting a second opinion from a doctor, though, Ostovich got the green light to stay in the bout.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/11/rachael-ostovich-vs-paige-vanzant-back-on-ufc-espn-1-second-opinion-assault|title=Second opinion for Rachael Ostovich puts fight with Paige VanZant back on at UFC on ESPN+ 1|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-11-27|access-date=2018-11-29}} After announcing that former NFL player Greg Hardy would make his UFC debut at this event, the decision to put him on the same card as Ostovich was met with backlash by many people as Hardy was found guilty of assaulting an ex-girlfriend, and sentenced to 18 months probation as well as being suspended for 10 games by the NFL.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/panthers-hardy-trial-start-tuesday/113293416|title=Panthers' Greg Hardy found guilty on 2 counts of domestic violence|publisher=wsoctv.com|author=Jim Bradley |date=2014-07-14|access-date=2018-12-07}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/12/6/18128476/ufc-shows-spectacular-misjudgment-placing-greg-hardy-on-same-card-as-rachael-ostovich|title=UFC shows spectacular misjudgment placing Greg Hardy on same card as Rachael Ostovich|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Chiappetta|date=2018-12-06|access-date=2018-12-06}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Greg-Hardy-to-Share-Card-with-Rachael-Ostovich-for-UFC-Debut-in-Brooklyn-on-Jan-19-146581|title=Greg Hardy to share card with Rachael Ostovich for UFC debut in Brooklyn on Jan. 19|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2018-12-05|access-date=2018-12-05}} The charges and suspension were later dropped after the victim failed to appear in court to testify, but Hardy's arrest and trial were the focus of considerable controversy.{{Cite news|url=http://www.wbtv.com/story/28059971/charges-dismissed-in-greg-hardy-trial-after-victim-fails-to-show-for-court/?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass|title=Panthers: No change in Greg Hardy status after charges dismissed
|publisher=wbtv.com|author=Staff|date=2015-02-09|access-date=2018-12-06}} UFC president Dana White later claimed that Ostovich was "totally cool" with Hardy on the same card as her.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/dana-white-rachael-ostovich-totally-cool-greg-hardy-same-card-ufc-espn-1-brooklyn-domestic-violence|title=Dana White: Rachael Ostovich 'totally cool' with Greg Hardy on same card at UFC on ESPN+ 1|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2018-12-06|access-date=2018-12-06}}
A women's flyweight bout between KSW Women's Flyweight Champion and promotional newcomer Ariane Lipski and Joanne Calderwood was initially scheduled for UFC 233.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/25216580/joanne-calderwood-ariane-lipski-flyweight-fight-added-ufc-233|title=Joanne Calderwood-Ariane Lipski flyweight fight added to UFC 233|work=espn.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2018-11-08|access-date=2018-12-03}} However, it was reported on December 2 that the bout had been rescheduled for this event instead.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-233/ariane-lipski-vs-joanne-calderwood-moved-from-ufc-233-to-ufc-brooklyn/|title=Ariane Lipski vs Joanne Calderwood moved from UFC 233 to UFC Brooklyn|publisher=bjpenn.com|author=Drake Riggs|date=2018-12-03|access-date=2018-12-03}}
As a result of the cancellation of UFC 233, a flyweight bout between former UFC Flyweight Championship challenger Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo was briefly linked to this event.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/multiple-ufc-233-fights-get-new-dates-locations-after-jan-26-card-scratched|title=Multiple UFC 233 fights get new dates, locations after Jan. 26 card scratched|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-12-12|access-date=2018-12-12}} However the following day, the promotion clarified plans indicating that the pairing was off and that Benavidez would be an alternate for the headliner bout in the event that either Cejudo or Dillashaw would be forced from the main event.{{Cite news|url=http://uk.ufc.com/news/2019-Fight-Updates|title=2019 fight updates|publisher=ufc.com|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=2018-12-13|access-date=2018-12-13}}{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/ufc-joseph-benavidez-backup-henry-cejudo-tj-dillashaw-title-fight-espn|title=Joseph Benavidez named Cejudo-Dillashaw backup for UFC on ESPN+ 1; fight vs. Figueiredo off|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-12-13|access-date=2018-12-13}} Later it was announced that despite still being an alternate, Benavidez would face Dustin Ortiz in a rematch of his unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson in November 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/joseph-benavidez-gets-ufc-on-espn-1-fight-after-all-rematches-dustin-ortiz/|title=Joseph Benavidez gets UFC on ESPN+ 1 fight after all, rematches Dustin Ortiz|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-12-15}}
A bantamweight bout between Thomas Almeida and Cory Sandhagen was briefly linked to the event. However, on December 22, it was announced that Sandhagen would face John Lineker in the event instead.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/25590084|title=Sources: Lineker-Sandhagen in works for Jan. 19|date=2018-12-22|work=espn.com|author=Ariel Helwani|access-date=2018-12-29}} On January 10, Lineker was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a rib injury.{{cite web|url=https://m.sherdog.com/news/news/Report-John-Lineker-Injured-Out-of-Bout-with-Cory-Sandhagen-at-UFC-on-ESPN43-1-148051|date=2019-01-10|title=John Lineker out of bout with Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Jay Pettry|access-date=2019-01-10}} He was replaced by promotional newcomer Mario Bautista.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/01/mario-bautista-in-for-john-lineker-vs-cory-sandhagen-ufc-brooklyn|title=Report: Mario Bautista in for John Lineker, meets Cory Sandhagen at UFC Brooklyn|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2019-01-12|access-date=2019-01-12}}
Ion Cuțelaba was expected to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Glover Teixeira at this event. However, on January 10, it was reported that Cuțelaba was forced out of the bout due to injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Ion-Cutelaba-Injured-Out-of-Bout-with-Glover-Teixeira-at-UFC-Brooklyn-148055|title=Ion Cutelaba injured, out of bout with Glover Teixeira at UFC Brooklyn|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Jay Pettry|date=2019-01-10|access-date=2019-01-10}} He was replaced by Karl Roberson.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2019/1/11/18179397/karl-roberson-steps-in-to-fight-glover-teixeira-at-ufc-brooklyn|date=2019-01-11|title=Karl Roberson steps in to fight Glover Teixeira at UFC Brooklyn|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|access-date=2019-01-11}}
Randy Brown was expected to face Chance Rencountre, but pulled out in the week leading up to the event.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/01/randy-brown-off-ufc-on-espn-plus-1-brooklyn-despite-being-100-percent-healthy|title=Randy Brown says he's off UFC on ESPN+ 1 card in Brooklyn – despite being '100 percent healthy|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2019-01-13|access-date=2019-01-14}} Dwight Grant was soon announced as his replacement, but it was later reported that he was unable to be cleared to fight due to an "eye issue".{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/01/dwight-grant-steps-in-vs-chance-rencountre-to-finalize-ufc-on-espn-1-lineup|title=Dwight Grant not cleared as replacement for UFC on ESPN+ 1 (UPDATED)|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2019-01-13|access-date=2019-01-14}} Promotional newcomer Kyle Stewart was then announced as Rencountre's new opponent.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/01/kyle-stewart-in-for-dwight-grant-meets-chance-rencountre-at-ufc-brooklyn|title=Kyle Stewart in for Dwight Grant, meets Chance Rencountre at UFC Brooklyn|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2019-01-14|access-date=2019-01-14}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main Card (ESPN+)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Flyweight
|Henry Cejudo (c)
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|0:32
|For the UFC Flyweight Championship. Dillashaw tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO).
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|def.
|DQ (illegal knee)
|2
|2:28
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|2
|4:59
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Flyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|def.
|Submission (armbar)
|2
|1:50
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|1
|3:21
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (ESPN)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|TKO (head kick and punches)
|2
|3:43
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|3:56
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|Submission (armbar)
|1
|3:31
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|Te Edwards
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Kyle Stewart
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|1
|2:25
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Brooklyn-Bonuses-Donald-Cerrone-Pockets-36100K-in-Successful-Lightweight-Return-148377|title=UFC Brooklyn bonuses: Donald Cerrone pockets $100K in successful lightweight return|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2019-01-19|access-date=2019-01-19}}
- Fight of the Night: Donald Cerrone vs. Alexander Hernandez
- Performance of the Night: Henry Cejudo and Donald Cerrone
Suspension
On March 20, it was announced that Dillashaw was suspended one-year due to a failed drug test in relation to this event and therefore he decided to vacate his title.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/3/20/18274036/t-j-dillashaw-announces-positive-drug-test-relinquishes-ufc-bantamweight-title-mma-news|title=T.J. Dillashaw suspended for failed drug test, relinquishes UFC bantamweight title|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Nick Baldwin|access-date=2019-03-20|date=2019-04-10}} He initially received a one-year suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) retroactive to the event's date.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/26313639|title=Dillashaw gives up belt, suspended by NYSAC|work=espn.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2019-03-20|access-date=2019-04-11}} On April 9, Dillashaw accepted a two-year suspension by USADA, retroactive to January 19, as it was revealed he tested positive to erythropoietin in a fight night test.{{cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/04/ufc-tj-dillashaw-suspended-two-years-usada|title=T.J. Dillashaw accepts two-year suspension from USADA after positive drug test|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|access-date=2019-04-09|date=2019-04-10}}
See also
{{Portal|martial arts|New York City|New York (state)}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{2019 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:2019 in mixed martial arts
Category:Mixed martial arts in New York (state)
Category:Sports competitions in Brooklyn