UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige
{{short description|UFC mixed martial arts event in 2020}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name= UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige
|image=The_official_poster_for_Kattar_vs_Ige.jpg
|promotion=Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date={{start date|2020|07|16}}
|venue= du Forum
|city= Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
|attendance=None (behind closed doors){{Cite web|author=Alan Dawson|date=2020-07-15|title=The Kattar vs. Ige main event for the UFC's next 'Fight Island' card is so good it could be the Fight of the Year, an analyst said|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/calvin-kattar-dan-ige-fight-of-the-year-jon-anik-2020-7|access-date=2020-07-17|publisher=businessinsideraustralia.com.au}}
|gate=
|previousevent=UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal
|followingevent=UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2
}}
UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige (also known as UFC on ESPN 13 and UFC Fight Island 1) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 16, 2020 at the du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/06/ufc-fight-island-located-yas-island-abu-dhabi|title=UFC 'Fight Island' is ... Yas Island, Abu Dhabi|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-06-09|access-date=2020-06-09}}
Background
This event was the second of four UFC Fight Island events scheduled to take place on Yas Island in July 2020, following UFC 251, as part of a plan to facilitate the hosting of events involving fighters impacted by U.S. travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Without fans in attendance, the promotion didn't have to worry about the local timing of the event, so it proceeded with normal timing for prime time hours on the east coast of North America. The main card began at 6:00 am (July 16) local time in Abu Dhabi, and a full preliminary card began at approximately 3:00 am Gulf Standard Time.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29294243/ufc-251-know-know-fight-island|title=What we know and don't know about 'Fight Island'|publisher=espn.com|author=Jeff Wagenheim|date=2020-06-11|access-date=2020-06-23}}
A featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige served as the event headliner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29316565/sources-calvin-kattar-dan-ige-headline-ufc-fight-night-july-15-fight-island|title=Calvin Kattar, Dan Ige to headline UFC Fight Night on July 15 at Fight Island|publisher=espn.com|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-06-15|access-date=2020-06-16}}
A middleweight bout between John Phillips and Duško Todorović was expected to take place at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards. However, the event was the first of five to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the bout was moved to Cage Warriors 113 (as the English organization's president decided to help some of the scheduled bouts to happen in his promotion's event scheduled for March 20).{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/03/some-ufc-on-espn-plus-29-london-fights-might-happen-at-cage-warriors-113|title=Graham Boylan hopes to save some UFC on ESPN+ 29 fights in London with Cage Warriors 113|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Simon Head|date=2020-03-15|access-date=2020-06-18}}{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/03/ufc-london-john-phillips-vs-dusko-todorovic-added-to-cage-warriors-113|title=UFC London's John Phillips vs. Dusko Todorovic added to Cage Warriors 113|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Simon Head|date=2020-03-16|access-date=2020-06-18}} In turn, Todorović pulled out due to other travel restrictions in the region.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/03/cage-warriors-113-bartosz-fabinski-darren-stewart-new-main-event|title=UFC's Bartosz Fabinski, Darren Stewart headline reshuffled Cage Warriors 113 card|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Simon Head|date=2020-03-18|access-date=2020-03-19}} They were then expected to meet at this event.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/53101785|title=UFC Fight Island: Welsh pair Brett Johns and John Phillips added to series|publisher=bbc.co.uk|author=Staff|date=2020-06-18|access-date=2020-06-18}} On July 8, Todorović pulled out once again, this time due to a potential medical issue.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-fight-island-dusko-todorovic-out-john-phillips-needs-opponent|title=Dusko Todorovic out at UFC on ESPN 13; John Phillips needs new opponent|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=John Morgan|date=2020-07-08|access-date=2020-07-08}} He was replaced by promotional newcomer Khamzat Chimaev.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/khamzat-chimaev-tapped-as-replacement-to-fight-john-phillips-at-ufc-on-espn-13|title=Khamzat Chimaev tapped as replacement to fight John Phillips at UFC on ESPN 13|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and John Morgan|date=2020-07-08|access-date=2020-07-08}}
A bantamweight bout between Pedro Munhoz and former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar was briefly linked to UFC 251, four days earlier. However, promotion officials elected to schedule the pairing for this event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/update-pedro-munhoz-vs-frankie-edgar-moved-to-ufc-event-on-july-15th/|title=Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar moved to UFC event on July 15th|publisher=fightbookmma.com|author=Ross Markey|date=2020-06-16|access-date=2020-06-18}} On July 6, it was announced that the bout between Munhoz and Edgar was scrapped due to Munhoz testing positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/platform/amp/2020/7/6/21315428/pedro-munhoz-tests-positive-covid-19-ufc-fight-island-frankie-edgar/|title=Pedro Munhoz tests positive for COVID-19, pulled from UFC ‘Fight Island’ bout with Frankie Edgar|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2020-07-06|access-date=2020-07-06}} They were rescheduled for UFC 252.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/news/1984875|title=Edgar-Munhoz rescheduled for UFC 252|publisher=thescore.com|author=Nick Baldwin|date=2020-07-12|access-date=2020-07-12}}
A light heavyweight bout between Vinicius Moreira and Modestas Bukauskas was scheduled for the event, along with another bout between Anderson dos Santos and Jack Shore at bantamweight. However, Moreira and dos Santos both tested positive for COVID-19 on July 3 and were removed from the event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Anderson-dos-Santos-Vinicius-Moreira-Out-of-July-15-Fight-Island-Card-After-Positive-COVID19-Tests-173766|title=Anderson dos Santos, Vinicius Moreira out of July 15 "Fight Island" card after positive COVID-19 tests|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tudor Leonte|date=2020-07-03|access-date=2020-07-04}} They were replaced by Andreas Michailidis and Aaron Phillips respectively.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/modestas-bukauskas-remains-on-ufc-fight-island-card-meets-andreas-michailidis-on-short-notice/|title=Modestas Bukauskas remains on UFC Fight Island card, meets Andreas Michailidis on short-notice|publisher=fightbookmma.com|author=Ross Markey|date=2020-07-04|access-date=2020-07-05}}{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-fight-island-aaron-phillips-jack-shore-july-15|title=Aaron Phillips set for UFC return, faces Jack Shore on 'Fight Island'|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and Simon Head|date=2020-07-04|access-date=2020-07-05}}
A women's strawweight bout between former Invicta FC and UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza and Marina Rodriguez was scheduled for the event. However, a Rodriguez cornerman tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was cancelled. Rodriguez had her test come back negative, but the bout was scrapped due to precautionary reasons.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/marina-rodriguez-vs-carla-esparza-removed-from-july-15-ufc-event-after-positive-covid-19-test|title=Marina Rodriguez vs. Carla Esparza removed from July 15 UFC event after positive COVID-19 test|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura and Nolan King|date=2020-07-03|access-date=2020-07-04}} They were rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till on July 26.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/carla-esparza-vs-marina-rodriguez-rebooked-july-ufc-abu-dhabi-fight-island-coronavirus|title=Carla Esparza vs. Marina Rodriguez reset for July 25 UFC show in Abu Dhabi|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2020-07-05|access-date=2020-07-05}}
A light heavyweight bout between Timo Feucht and Kenneth Bergh was scheduled for the event. However, one day after the bout was announced, Feucht was removed from the event for unknown reasons and was replaced by Jorge Gonzalez.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/jorge-gonzalez-vervangt-timo-feucht-tegen-kenneth-bergh-op-15-juli-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Jorge Gonzalez replaces Timo Feucht against Kenneth Bergh on July 15 in Abu Dhabi|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Staff|date=2020-07-10|access-date=2020-07-10}} {{in lang|nl}} It was later announced that Feucht was removed due to past Neo-Nazi ties, including a January 2016 attack in the Connewitz district of Leipzig for which he was arrested.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/11/21318073/ufc-timo-feucht-fight-island-releases-fighter-alleged-past-neo-nazi-ties-mma|title=UFC rescinds offer to Timo Feucht for Fight Island bout over alleged past Neo-Nazi ties|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin|date=2020-07-11|access-date=2020-07-11}} In turn, the bout was cancelled on the day of the weigh-ins as Bergh had issues during his weight cut.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-on-espn-13-kenneth-bergh-jorge-gonzalez-off|title=Weight cut issues for Kenneth Bergh force cancellation of Jorge Gonzalez fight at UFC on ESPN 13|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-07-14|access-date=2020-07-14}}
At the weigh-ins, Abdul Razak Alhassan and Chris Fishgold missed weight for their respective bouts. Alhassan weighed in at 174 pounds, three pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. Fishgold weighed in at 149 pounds, three pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. Both their bouts proceeded at a catchweight and they were respectively fined 20% of their individual purses, which went to their opponents Mounir Lazzez and Jared Gordon.{{Cite web|url= https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/14/21323978/ufc-on-espn-13-weigh-in-results-two-miss-weight-one-fight-canceled|title= UFC on ESPN 13 weigh-in results: Two miss weight, one fight canceled|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2020-07-14|access-date=2020-07-14}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card (ESPN / ESPN+)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 49–46, 48–47)
|5
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Flyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (174 lb)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Submission (D'Arce choke)
|2
|1:12
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|4:18
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (elbows)
|1
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (149 lb)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|def.
|Submission (armbar)
|1
|2:47
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Bantamweight
|def.
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|2
|2:29
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.
- Fight of the Night: Mounir Lazzez vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan{{ref|note1|1}}
- Performance of the Night: Khamzat Chimaev, Lerone Murphy and Modestas Bukauskas
:{{note|note1}} {{small| 1. Abdul Razak Alhassan was disqualified for the Fight of the Night bonus due to missing weight, as a result a third Performance of the Night bonus was awarded.}}{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-on-espn-13-fight-island-bonuses-abdul-razak-alhassan-mounir-lazzez|title=UFC on ESPN 13 bonuses: Weight miss costs Abdul Razak Alhassan $50K for 'Fight of the Night'|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2020-07-16|access-date=2020-07-16}}
See also
{{Portal|Martial Arts|UAE}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{2020 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:2020 in mixed martial arts
Category:2020 in Emirati sport
Category:Mixed martial arts in the United Arab Emirates