UFC 125
UFC 125: Resolution was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 1, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the promotion's first numbered event of the year and featuring twelve professional bouts across multiple weight classes.[1][2] The main event was a UFC Lightweight Championship rematch between defending champion Frankie Edgar and top contender Gray Maynard; the intense five-round war ended in a split decision draw—the first such outcome in a UFC title fight—allowing Edgar to retain his title amid widespread debate over the judging.[2] In the co-main event, Brian Stann secured a first-round technical knockout victory over Chris Leben in the middleweight division via knees and punches at 3:37.[2] Other key main card results included Jeremy Stephens defeating Marcus Davis by unanimous decision, Clay Guida submitting Takanori Gomi with a rear-naked choke in the second round, Dong Hyun Kim outpointing Nate Diaz by unanimous decision, and a light heavyweight clash between Brandon Vera and Thiago Silva that was later overturned to a no contest.[2] The preliminary card highlighted emerging talents, with Dustin Poirier claiming a second-round guillotine choke submission win over Josh Grispi in a featherweight bout and Phil Davis knocking out Tim Boetsch in the third round, alongside victories for Ed Herman, Jacob Volkmann, Diego Nunes, Brad Tavares, and Paul Taylor.[2] The event drew an attendance of 12,874 fans, generating a live gate of $2,174,780, and reportedly achieved approximately 270,000 pay-per-view buys.[3][3] A major controversy overshadowed the card when Silva's post-fight drug test sample was found inconsistent with human urine, resulting in a one-year license revocation by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and a $33,750 fine, while the Edgar-Maynard bout was retrospectively honored as Sherdog's 2011 Fight of the Year for its high-octane action.[4][5][6]Event Information
Date and Venue
UFC 125: Resolution was held on January 1, 2011, marking it as the first pay-per-view event of the year for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[1] This timing positioned the event as a New Year's Day spectacle, aligning with the promotion's tradition of kicking off the annual schedule with high-profile cards.[7] The event took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, a multi-purpose venue renowned for hosting major combat sports gatherings.[1] With a seating capacity of 16,800, the arena provides an intimate yet electric atmosphere for large-scale events.[8] Since its debut UFC event in 2001, the MGM Grand Garden Arena has become a cornerstone location for the organization, accommodating over 40 pay-per-views and contributing to the sport's growth in the entertainment capital.[9] As the 125th overall UFC event, Resolution underscored the promotion's expansion and consistency in delivering numbered pay-per-view spectacles.[1] The logistical setup emphasized the venue's state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced lighting and sound systems tailored for mixed martial arts productions.[8]Broadcast and Attendance
UFC 125's main card was distributed via pay-per-view on major cable and satellite providers, including iN Demand, DirecTV, and Dish Network, allowing viewers to purchase the event for $54.95 in standard definition or $64.95 in high definition.[3] The preliminary card marked a broadcasting milestone as the first UFC event to feature live prelims on network television, with three bouts airing on Ion Television starting at 9:00 p.m. ET, reaching an estimated 829,000 viewers.[10] This initiative represented a strategic expansion in content distribution following the UFC's merger with the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) promotion in late 2010, aiming to increase accessibility to undercard fights without relying solely on cable networks like Spike TV.[11] The event achieved a total attendance of 12,874, including 6,978 paid tickets, reflecting solid turnout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena despite competing with New Year's Day celebrations.[3] Financially, it generated a live gate revenue of $2,174,780 from ticket sales.[12] Pay-per-view performance was estimated at 270,000 buys, a moderate figure for the era that underscored the event's draw amid a rematch-heavy card but also highlighted challenges in sustaining high buy rates post-holiday.[13]Background
Promotion and Scheduling
UFC 125 marked the 125th numbered event in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's history and served as the promotion's first pay-per-view of 2011, coming shortly after UFC 124 on December 11, 2010.[1][14] The event was announced in September 2010, with initial planning focusing on shifting from the UFC's customary year-end scheduling to a post-holiday kickoff.[15] The promotional theme for UFC 125, titled "Resolution," drew directly from the New Year's Day timing, evoking the concept of personal resolutions while highlighting key bouts intended to settle ongoing rivalries and defend titles.[16] This branding emphasized narrative closure in matchups, aligning with the holiday's introspective spirit to engage fans in a fresh annual cycle.[1] Held on January 1, 2011—a non-traditional date for major UFC cards—the event aimed to leverage heightened post-holiday audience availability in Las Vegas.[15] This scheduling choice represented a strategic pivot to open the year strongly, building on the promotion's established Las Vegas presence.[15] In the broader context, UFC 125 occurred amid the recent merger of the UFC with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), announced on October 28, 2010, which integrated WEC's lighter weight classes into the UFC roster. This consolidation expanded the promotion's divisions, with UFC 125 featuring the inaugural UFC featherweight bouts as part of the transition.Fight Card Development
The development of the UFC 125 fight card began in mid-October 2010, when the Ultimate Fighting Championship officially announced the event for January 1, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The initial main event was set as a lightweight title rematch between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard, marking their first meeting since Maynard's unanimous decision victory over Edgar at The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 Finale in 2006. This bout headlined a preliminary lineup of six fights, including a heavyweight co-main event between Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson, as well as middleweight clash Chris Leben versus Brian Stann.[17] Significant changes occurred shortly after the initial announcement due to injuries. On October 26, 2010, Carwin withdrew from his scheduled bout with Nelson, citing a back injury that required an MRI and potentially surgery; the issue stemmed from lingering effects of his grueling July 2010 fight against Brock Lesnar at UFC 116. Nelson was subsequently removed from the card entirely, with rumors of Mirko Filipovic as a possible replacement opponent for Carwin quickly dismissed by UFC officials. The heavyweight slot remained vacant initially, prompting adjustments to the overall structure.[18] The card evolved further following the UFC's merger with World Extreme Cagefighting, announced on October 28, 2010, which integrated WEC's featherweight division into the UFC roster. On November 3, 2010, officials added a featherweight title bout between newly crowned UFC champion José Aldo—promoted via the merger—and challenger Josh Grispi as the revised co-main event, filling the void left by the Carwin-Nelson cancellation and marking the first UFC appearance for both fighters under the unified banner. However, on November 23, 2010, Aldo was forced to withdraw due to a compacted vertebra injury causing tingling in his arms, leading to Dustin Poirier stepping in as Grispi's opponent in a non-title featherweight matchup. This shift indirectly restructured the card's upper divisions, emphasizing emerging talent in lighter weight classes.[19][20] Additional bouts were announced throughout December 2010 to round out the undercard, including lightweight contests such as Takanori Gomi versus Clay Guida and Marcus Davis versus Jeremy Stephens, alongside light heavyweight and middleweight additions like Thiago Silva versus Brandon Vera and Phil Baroni versus Brad Tavares. By late December, the card was finalized with 11 total fights, featuring a strong emphasis on the lightweight division—highlighted by the main event and multiple high-profile prelims—and light heavyweight bouts to balance the lineup. This assembly reflected the UFC's efforts to capitalize on the post-merger influx of talent while navigating injury setbacks to deliver a diverse, competitive event.[21]Fight Card
Main Card
The main card of UFC 125 featured five high-profile bouts broadcast on pay-per-view, headlined by a lightweight championship rematch and including several fighters with significant career stakes.[1] The lightweight title fight pitted champion Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) against undefeated challenger Gray Maynard (10-0), a rematch from their January 2008 encounter that ended in a draw, with Edgar having since captured the belt by defeating BJ Penn twice. This marked Edgar's first defense of the title, amid questions about his legitimacy as champion given his underdog status entering the bout, while Maynard aimed for his first UFC title and a chance to avenge the prior stalemate through his wrestling prowess against Edgar's speed and striking.[22][23] In the co-main event, middleweight veterans Chris Leben (20-6) and Brian Stann (9-3) collided, with Leben returning after a one-year suspension for a positive drug test and subsequent rehab, seeking to reestablish himself against the rising Stann, a former Marine whose tactical evolution was highlighted in pre-fight discussions. Leben's history of brawling contrasted with Stann's disciplined approach, building hype around whether Leben could overcome personal setbacks to position himself for bigger opportunities, such as a potential matchup with Wanderlei Silva.[24][22] The light heavyweight matchup saw Brandon "The Truth" Vera (11-3) facing Thiago Silva (14-1), as Vera aimed to rebound from a severe facial injury suffered in his August 2010 loss to Jon Jones, which had sidelined him and led to a brief UFC release before his reinstatement. Silva, returning after a training hiatus due to back issues, brought a grappling-heavy style that promised a contrast to Vera's striking urgency in what was viewed as a pivotal fight for both men's career trajectories.[25][22] Welterweights Nate Diaz (13-5) and Dong Hyun Kim (13-0-1, 1 NC) met in a matchup that tested Diaz's recent successes at welterweight following struggles at lightweight, against the undefeated South Korean judoka Kim, known for his grappling control and size advantage in a potential battle of submissions versus takedown dominance.[26][27] Lightweights Clay Guida (27-10) and Takanori Gomi (32-5) represented a clash of styles and eras, with Guida's relentless energy and ground game testing the former PRIDE FC lightweight champion Gomi, who sought to revive his legacy in the UFC following a knockout loss in his October 2010 debut against Tyson Griffin. The bout generated excitement over Gomi's knockout power versus Guida's cardio, positioning it as a potential showcase for cross-promotional talent.[22][1]Preliminary Card
The preliminary card for UFC 125 consisted of six bouts spanning featherweight, lightweight, middleweight, and welterweight divisions, offering a platform for both promising prospects and seasoned competitors to demonstrate their skills ahead of the main event. Three of these fights aired live on Ion Television, representing the UFC's inaugural broadcast agreement with a national free-to-air network for undercard action. This arrangement allowed broader exposure for select matchups, emphasizing the promotion's efforts to expand accessibility on New Year's Day 2011. The televised portion highlighted key divisional tests, including a featherweight showdown between former WEC champion Josh Grispi and newcomer Dustin Poirier, a middleweight clash featuring veteran Phil Baroni against Brad Tavares, and a lightweight bout pitting striker Jeremy Stephens against grappler Marcus Davis. The untelevised fights rounded out the undercard with another featherweight matchup of ex-WEC title challenger Mike Brown versus Diego Nunes, a lightweight wrestling-centric encounter between Jacob Volkmann and Antonio McKee, and a welterweight scrap of Daniel Roberts against Greg Soto.| Weight Class | Fight |
|---|---|
| Featherweight | Josh Grispi vs. Dustin Poirier |
| Middleweight | Phil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares |
| Lightweight | Marcus Davis vs. Jeremy Stephens |
| Weight Class | Fight |
|---|---|
| Featherweight | Mike Brown vs. Diego Nunes |
| Lightweight | Jacob Volkmann vs. Antonio McKee |
| Welterweight | Daniel Roberts vs. Greg Soto |
Results
Main Card Results
The main card of UFC 125 featured five bouts, headlined by a lightweight title fight that marked a historic moment for the promotion. In the main event, champion Frankie Edgar defended his title against Gray Maynard in a grueling five-round war that ended in the first draw in UFC championship history.[28] Maynard dominated the opening round with a knockdown and heavy ground-and-pound, earning a 10-8 score from all judges, but Edgar rallied with superior cardio and striking volume over the final four rounds to secure a split decision draw by scores of 48-46 Edgar, 46-48 Maynard, and 47-47.[29] The controversial outcome, praised for its intensity, immediately sparked calls for a rematch, which was later scheduled for UFC 136 later that year.[28] In the co-main event, Brian Stann delivered a stunning upset over veteran Chris Leben with a first-round TKO via knees and punches at 3:37, showcasing his explosive striking and wrestling base to halt Leben's aggressive pressure early.[30] The victory propelled Stann into middleweight contention, earning him praise as an emerging force and setting up future high-profile matchups.[30] Thiago Silva controlled Brandon Vera throughout their light heavyweight clash, using takedowns and ground strikes to earn a unanimous decision victory by scores of 30-27 across the board after three rounds.[30] (Note: This result was later overturned to a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to Silva testing positive for performance-enhancing substances.)[31] Clay Guida outwrestled and submitted Takanori Gomi with a guillotine choke at 4:27 of the second round in a lightweight bout, capitalizing on Gomi's fatigue after a competitive first frame to extend his win streak.[32] (Note: Some reports initially misidentified the submission as a rear-naked choke and the finish time as occurring in Round 1, but official records confirm the guillotine in Round 2.)[2] Opening the main card, Dong Hyun Kim edged Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in a welterweight matchup, relying on his grappling to neutralize Diaz's submission threats over three rounds.[33]| Fight | Result | Method | Round | Time | Decision Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgar vs. Maynard (Lightweight Title) | Draw | Split Decision | 5 | 5:00 | 48-46 Edgar, 46-48 Maynard, 47-47 |
| Stann vs. Leben (Middleweight) | Stann def. Leben | TKO (knees and punches) | 1 | 3:37 | N/A |
| Silva vs. Vera (Light Heavyweight) | Silva def. Vera* | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 |
| Kim vs. Diaz (Welterweight) | Kim def. Diaz | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 |
| Guida vs. Gomi (Lightweight) | Guida def. Gomi | Submission (guillotine choke) | 2 | 4:27 | N/A |
Preliminary Card Results
The preliminary card for UFC 125 featured six bouts broadcast on Ion Television and Facebook, showcasing a mix of established veterans and rising prospects in the lightweight, featherweight, middleweight, and welterweight divisions. These undercard fights emphasized grappling exchanges and striking flurries, with three decisions and three stoppages highlighting the competitive depth of the promotion's roster at the time.[35]| Fighter | Result | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Volkmann | Win | Antonio McKee | Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | Volkmann controlled the grappling early, securing the upset victory over the undefeated McKee in a closely contested lightweight bout that advanced Volkmann's UFC record to 2-0.[35][3] |
| Daniel Roberts | Win | Greg Soto | Submission (kimura) | 1 | 3:45 | Roberts, making his UFC debut, capitalized on a takedown to lock in the arm from the top position, marking a quick finish in this welterweight matchup and boosting his momentum as a prospect.[35][2] |
| Diego Nunes | Win | Mike Brown | Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | Nunes edged out the former WEC featherweight champion with superior striking volume in the later rounds, earning his first UFC victory and solidifying his status as a division contender.[35][3] |
| Brad Tavares | Win | Phil Baroni | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:20 | Tavares overwhelmed Baroni with knees and ground strikes against the cage, handing the veteran a decisive loss in the middleweight division and extending Tavares' unbeaten streak in the UFC to 3-0.[35][1] |
| Dustin Poirier | Win | Josh Grispi | Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | Poirier dominated with takedowns and ground control throughout the featherweight clash, derailing Grispi's highly anticipated UFC debut and launching Poirier's trajectory toward future title contention.[35][2] |
| Jeremy Stephens | Win | Marcus Davis | KO (punch) | 3 | 2:33 | Stephens absorbed early pressure before landing a devastating right hand to drop Davis, securing a highlight-reel knockout in the lightweight opener and reinforcing his reputation as a knockout artist.[35][3] |
Post-Event
Bonus Awards
At UFC 125, performance bonuses were elevated to $60,000 per category, surpassing the typical $50,000 amount to highlight standout efforts at this New Year's Eve pay-per-view event.[38] The awards recognized exceptional displays across three categories: Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night. The Fight of the Night bonus was shared by lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard for their grueling five-round title bout, which featured multiple knockdowns and ended in a split draw after 25 minutes of back-and-forth action.[39] Each fighter received the full $60,000 award for their contributions to one of the most competitive main events in UFC history.[40] Jeremy Stephens earned the Knockout of the Night honor with a devastating right hand that dropped Marcus Davis, followed by ground strikes that prompted referee Herb Dean to stop the fight at 2:33 of the third round in their preliminary lightweight matchup.[39] This finish showcased Stephens' striking power and secured him the $60,000 bonus.[40] Clay Guida claimed Submission of the Night by catching Takanori Gomi in a guillotine choke during a grappling exchange, forcing the tap at 4:27 of the second round in their lightweight opener.[39] Guida's relentless pressure and opportunistic finish earned him $60,000 and marked his third straight submission victory.[41] In total, four fighters shared $240,000 in post-fight bonuses, emphasizing the event's high level of excitement and individual excellence.[38]Fighter Payouts
The Nevada State Athletic Commission reported a total disclosed fighter payroll of $872,000 for UFC 125, encompassing base salaries and win bonuses for all 22 participants on the card. These figures represent contractual earnings and do not include performance-based incentives such as Fight of the Night or Knockout of the Night awards, which are awarded separately. Win bonuses were standardly set to match the base pay for victorious fighters, with exceptions noted for the main event draw between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, where both received their win bonuses despite the outcome.[42] The top earners included light heavyweight Thiago Silva, who received $110,000 ($55,000 base + $55,000 win bonus) for his unanimous decision victory over Brandon Vera, and lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, who earned $102,000 ($51,000 base + $51,000 win bonus) following his draw with Gray Maynard. Other notable payouts went to welterweight Dong Hyun Kim ($70,000, $35,000 base + $35,000 win bonus), [lightweight](/page/Lightweight) [Clay Guida](/page/Clay_Guida) (62,000, $31,000 base + $31,000 win bonus), and light heavyweight Brandon Vera ($60,000 base). Middleweight Chris Leben earned $46,000 (base) in defeat to Brian Stann, who took home $42,000 ($21,000 base + $21,000 win bonus), while featherweight Jeremy Stephens secured $36,000 ($18,000 base + $18,000 win bonus).[42][43] The full breakdown of disclosed payouts is as follows:| Fighter | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Edgar | $51,000 | $51,000 | $102,000 |
| Gray Maynard | $26,000 | $26,000 | $52,000 |
| Brian Stann | $21,000 | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| Chris Leben | $46,000 | - | $46,000 |
| Thiago Silva | $55,000 | $55,000 | $110,000 |
| Brandon Vera | $60,000 | - | $60,000 |
| Dong Hyun Kim | $35,000 | $35,000 | $70,000 |
| Nate Diaz | $33,000 | - | $33,000 |
| Clay Guida | $31,000 | $31,000 | $62,000 |
| Takanori Gomi | $50,000 | - | $50,000 |
| Jeremy Stephens | $18,000 | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| Marcus Davis | $31,000 | - | $31,000 |
| Dustin Poirier | $4,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| Josh Grispi | $15,000 | - | $15,000 |
| Brad Tavares | $8,000 | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Phil Baroni | $25,000 | - | $25,000 |
| Diego Nunes | $10,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Mike Brown | $23,000 | - | $23,000 |
| Daniel Roberts | $12,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Greg Soto | $8,000 | - | $8,000 |
| Jacob Volkmann | $12,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Antonio McKee | $15,000 | - | $15,000 |