UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez
{{short description|2021 MMA event}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name= UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez
|image= File:Official poster for UFC Fight Night, Holloway vs. Rodríguez.jpg
|promotion= Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date= {{start date|2021|11|13}}
|venue= UFC Apex
|city= Enterprise, Nevada, United States
|gate=
|previousevent= UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2
|followingevent= UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate
}}
UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez (also known as UFC Fight Night 197, UFC Vegas 42 and UFC on ESPN+ 55) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on November 13, 2021, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-events-approved-by-nevada-state-athletic-commission-october-november-las-vegas|title=NAC approves six UFC events stretching from October through November|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2021-09-23|access-date=2021-09-24}}
Background
On October 19, it was announced that the UFC sent a memo to fighters and their staff regarding policy changes to U.S. international travel requirements. Starting on November 8, foreign individuals looking to travel to the United States will need to be fully vaccinated with, and provide proof of, one of seven World Health Organization approved vaccines. They will also need a negative COVID-19 test from a 72-hour period prior to travel. The policy also applies to those crossing from Canada or Mexico, or those coming by ship. This was the first event under such requirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/19/22735133/ufc-alerts-international-fighters-about-vaccination-requirements-to-travel-into-us-starting-nov-8|title=UFC alerts international fighters about new vaccination requirements to travel into the U.S. starting Nov. 8|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2021-10-19|access-date=2021-10-19}}{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/ufc-news-covid-19-new-policy-travel-hunter-campbell|title=UFC informs fighters of U.S. government's new COVID-19 vaccination travel policies|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2021-10-19|access-date=2021-10-19}}
A featherweight bout between former UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway and The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight winner Yair Rodríguez served as the event headliner.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/08/ufc-news-dana-white-max-holloway-vs-yair-rodriguez-november-13|title=UFC targeting Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez as Nov. 13 main event|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2021-08-03|access-date=2021-08-03}} The pairing was previously scheduled to headline UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés, but Holloway was pulled from the bout during the weeks leading up to that event due to injury.{{Cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/mma/nota?id=8790695|title=Max Holloway is injured and his fight against Yair Rodríguez is postponed|publisher=espndeportes.espn.com|author=Carlos Contreras Legaspi|date=2021-06-17|access-date=2021-06-17}} {{in lang|es}}
A light heavyweight bout between Kennedy Nzechukwu and Da Un Jung was originally expected to take place at UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont, but it was pushed back to this event for unknown reasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotowire.com/mma/player.php?id=1699 |title=Fight pushed back |publisher=rotowire.com|author=Staff|date=2021-10-07|access-date=2021-10-07}}
A women's flyweight bout between former UFC Women's Flyweight Championship challenger Jessica Eye and Andrea Lee was scheduled for the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/08/ufc-news-jessica-eye-vs-andrea-lee-in-the-works-for-ufc-fight-night-on-nov-13|title=UFC targets Andrea Lee vs. Jessica Eye for Fight Night event on Nov. 13|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matthew Wells and Farah Hannoun|date=2021-08-26|access-date=2021-08-26}} However, Eye pulled out of the bout in mid-October citing illness and was replaced by Cynthia Calvillo.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/jessica-eye-out-injury-illness-cynthia-calvillo-vs-andrea-lee-ufc-fight-night-197-women-mma-matchup|title=With Jessica Eye out, Cynthia Calvillo steps in to face Andrea Lee at UFC Fight Night 197|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun and John Morgan|date=2021-10-19|access-date=2021-10-19}}
Two middleweight bouts between Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus, as well as Eryk Anders and Roman Dolidze were scheduled for the event. However, Holland withdrew from his bout due to injury,{{Cite web|author=Damon Martin|date=2021-10-27|title=Kevin Holland injured, out of upcoming Kyle Daukaus rematch at UFC event on Nov. 13|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/27/22749633/kevin-holland-injured-out-of-upcoming-kyle-daukaus-rematch-at-ufc-event-on-nov-13|access-date=2021-10-28|publisher=mmafighting.com}} and Anders withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons. Daukaus and Dolidze were then scheduled to face each other instead.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-29|title=With Eryk Anders out, Roman Dolidze vs. Kyle Daukaus targeted for UFC Fight Night 197|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/ufc-news-eryk-anders-out-roman-dolidze-vs-kyle-daukaus|access-date=2021-10-30|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and John Morgan}} In turn, the bout was scrapped due to COVID-19 protocols related to Dolidze's camp.{{Cite web|title= Kyle Daukaus vs. Roman Dolidze scrapped from UFC Vegas 42 card|url= https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/11/10/22773771/kyle-daukaus-vs-roman-dolidze-scrapped-from-ufc-vegas-42-card |date=2021-11-10|access-date=2021-11-10|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin}}
A lightweight bout between Marc Diakiese and Rafael Alves was rescheduled for the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/marc-diakiese-vs-rafael-alves-opnieuw-ingepland-ditmaal-voor-13-november-in-las-vegas/|title=Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Alves rescheduled, this time for November 13 in Las Vegas|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2021-10-28|access-date=2021-10-29}} {{in lang|nl}} The pair was previously expected to meet at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till, but Alves pulled out of the fight in mid-August due to undisclosed reasons and the bout was scrapped.{{Cite web|url=https://mma.uno/marc-diakiese-vs-rafael-alves-reprogramado-para-ufc-vegas-42/|title=Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Alves rescheduled for UFC Vegas 42|publisher=mma.uno|author=Steve Duncan|date=2021-10-28|access-date=2021-10-29}} {{in lang|es}}
A featherweight bout between Lando Vannata and Tucker Lutz was expected to take place at this event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/lando-vannata-treft-tucker-lutz-tijdens-ufc-evenement-op-13-november/|title=Lando Vannata meets Tucker Lutz at UFC event on November 13|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2021-08-26|access-date=2021-08-28}} {{in lang|nl}} However, Lutz was pulled from the bout and instead scheduled to face Pat Sabatini at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-22|title=Tucker Lutz pulled from Lando Vannata fight, Lutz vs. Pat Sabatini in the works|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/tucker-lutz-vs-pat-sabatini-ufc-fight-night-197-198-mma-fight-booking-announcement|access-date=2021-10-30|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff, Nolan King and John Morgan}}
Former interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Ovince Saint Preux was expected to face Philipe Lins in a light heavyweight bout at the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/08/ufc-news-philipe-lins-vs-ovince-saint-preux-november-13-card|title=Philipe Lins, Ovince Saint Preux verbally agree to fight at UFC event Nov. 13|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and John Morgan|date=2021-08-02|access-date=2021-11-07}} In turn, Saint Preux withdrew from the fight for undisclosed reasons and the bout was cancelled.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/11/ufc-fight-night-197-ovince-saint-preux-out-vs-philipe-lins|title=Ovince Saint Preux out of UFC Fight Night 197 vs. Philipe Lins|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2021-11-07|access-date=2021-11-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Ovince-St-Preux-Removed-from-UFC-Fight-Night-197-Bout-vs-Philipe-Lins-Canceled-182892|title=Ovince St. Preux removed from UFC Fight Night 197, bout vs. Philipe Lins canceled|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2021-11-10|access-date=2021-11-10}}
A light heavyweight bout between Danilo Marques and Jailton Almeida was scheduled for this event.{{Cite web|url= https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/9/17/22680219/dwcs-signee-jailton-almeida-november-ufc-debut-danilo-marques-mma|title=DWCS signee Jailton Almeida set for November UFC debut vs. Danilo Marques|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2021-09-17|access-date=2021-10-18}} However, the bout was rescheduled due to Danilo getting injured and it is now expected to take place at UFC Fight Night 201.{{Cite web|url=https://agfight.com/ufc/danilo-marques-se-lesiona-e-luta-com-malhadinho-no-ufc-e-adiada/|title=Danilo Marques is injured and fight with Malhadinho in the UFC is postponed|publisher=agfight.com|author=Diego Ribas|date=2021-10-07|access-date=2021-11-11}} {{in lang|pt}}
At the weigh-ins, two fighters missed weight for their respective bouts. Joel Álvarez weighed in at 157.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. Liana Jojua weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the women's flyweight non-title fight limit. Both bouts proceeded at catchweight with Álvarez and Jojua each fined 30% of their purses, which went to their opponents Thiago Moisés and Cortney Casey respectively.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-12|title=UFC Fight Night 197 weigh-in results: Two fighters get 30 percent fines, but headliners clear|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/11/ufc-fight-night-197-max-holloway-yair-rodriguez-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream|access-date=2021-11-12|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday|author=Staff}}
With eight knockouts, this event tied the record for most knockouts in a single UFC event.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-14|title=UFC Fight Night: Max Holloway beats Yair Rodriguez in five-round classic to cap night of highlight-reel moments|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/32614541/ufc-fight-night-max-holloway-vs-yair-rodriguez-results-analysis|publisher=ESPN|author=Staff}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card (ESPN+)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 48–47)
|5
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|0:32
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Featherweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|3
|4:25
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|3
|1:02
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|TKO (head kick and punches)
|2
|1:35
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (ESPN+)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (157.5 lb)
|def.
|TKO (elbows and punches)
|1
|3:01
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|def.
|TKO (corner stoppage)
|2
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|Collin Anglin
|TKO (punches to the body)
|1
|4:30
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (128.5 lb)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|1
|1:48
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|KO (elbows)
|1
|3:04
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-197-bonuses-50000-max-holloway-yair-rodriguez-khaos-williams-andrea-lee|title=UFC Fight Night 197 bonuses: Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez an all-time obvious 'Fight of Night' winner|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2021-11-14|access-date=2021-11-14}}
- Fight of the Night: Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodríguez
- Performance of the Night: Khaos Williams and Andrea Lee
See also
{{Portal|Martial Arts}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{2021 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:2021 in mixed martial arts
Category:November 2021 sports events in the United States
Category:2021 in sports in Nevada
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship events in Enterprise, Nevada