UFC 215
UFC 215: Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on September 9, 2017, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[1] The event was originally scheduled to be headlined by a UFC Flyweight Championship bout between champion Demetrious Johnson and challenger Ray Borg, but it was canceled on September 8 due to Borg falling ill with a viral infection, prompting UFC doctors to deem him unfit to compete.[2][3] As a result, the co-main event—a women's bantamweight title rematch between champion Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko—was elevated to the main event slot on the pay-per-view card.[2] The card also featured 10 other bouts across various weight classes, drawing a sold-out attendance of 16,232 fans and generating a live gate of $2.03 million USD.[4] In the main event, Nunes retained her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) after five rounds, in a closely fought rematch that divided opinions among fans, media, and fighters, with many believing Shevchenko had done enough to win based on her control in the middle rounds.[1][5] The bout, a rematch of their first meeting at UFC 196 in 2016 where Nunes had defeated Shevchenko by first-round TKO, highlighted the high-level striking and grappling exchanges between the two elite competitors.[1] Other notable main card results included former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos submitting Neil Magny via rear-naked choke in the first round of their welterweight bout, Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo stopping Wilson Reis with punches in the second round of their flyweight matchup, and Ilir Latifi defeating Tyson Pedro by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight contest.[1] On the preliminary card, Canadian lightweight Kajan Johnson knocked out Adriano Martins in the third round, while Arjan Bhullar won a unanimous decision over Luis Henrique da Silva in a heavyweight bout that marked Bhullar's UFC debut as the first fighter of Indian descent to compete in the promotion.[1] The event underscored the UFC's growing presence in Canada while facing challenges from last-minute changes, ultimately delivering a mix of finishes and decisions across 11 fights.[1]Event Details
Date and Location
UFC 215 took place on September 9, 2017, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[1][6] The event marked the first time the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hosted an event in Edmonton, serving as the promotion's second visit to the province of Alberta following UFC 149 in Calgary in 2012.[7][8] Rogers Place, a multi-purpose arena with a standard seating capacity of 18,347 for ice hockey and up to 20,000 for other configurations, was adapted for mixed martial arts by installing the UFC Octagon in the center of the arena floor, optimizing sightlines for the in-the-round setup.[9][10]Broadcast and Production
The main card of UFC 215 was distributed via pay-per-view (PPV) in the United States, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET on September 9, 2017, allowing viewers to access the headline fights including the women's bantamweight title rematch between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko.[11] The preliminary card aired live on Fox Sports 1 starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, featuring bouts such as Ketlen Vieira vs. Sara McMann, while the early preliminary card was streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from 7:00 p.m. ET, covering opening matchups like Luis Henrique vs. Arjan Bhullar.[11] This multi-tiered broadcast approach aligned with UFC's strategy for PPV events, providing free-to-air prelims to build hype before the premium main card.[12] Production for the event included a commentary team led by play-by-play announcer Jon Anik, with color analysts Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier providing analysis during the PPV main card broadcasts. Rogan, a longtime UFC commentator, also conducted post-fight octagon interviews, such as with Nunes following her victory.[13] Jon Anik provided play-by-play commentary for the Fox Sports 1 prelims. Bruce Buffer served as the ring announcer throughout the event, introducing fighters and declaring outcomes in his signature style.[14] Internationally, UFC 215 reached audiences through a network of broadcasting partners tailored to regional markets, enhancing global accessibility. In Canada, where the event occurred at Rogers Place in Edmonton, coverage was provided by Sportsnet and TSN, with the main card available via PPV and prelims on linear TV, adjusted for local Mountain Time (starting at 8:00 p.m. MT).[1] In Australia, Fox Sports aired the prelims from 9:00 a.m. AEST on September 10, followed by the main card on Main Event PPV, accommodating the time difference for Asia-Pacific viewers.[15] Similar partnerships, including BT Sport in the UK, ensured broad distribution, with start times shifted to align with evening viewing slots in those regions. The event's PPV performance was estimated at approximately 100,000 buys in the United States, reflecting a modest draw amid card changes earlier in the year but consistent with UFC's positioning of the rematch as a key women's title attraction. This figure underscored the production's focus on leveraging the Nunes-Shevchenko rivalry to engage core MMA fans via traditional PPV channels.Background
Announcement and Planning
The Ultimate Fighting Championship initially planned a pay-per-view event for August 19, 2017, in the United States, with Seattle widely rumored as the location based on reports of negotiations for KeyArena. However, this event was scrapped without an official announcement, leading to a renumbering of the schedule. On June 26, 2017, the UFC confirmed that its previously scheduled September 9 card at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta—originally slated as UFC 216—would instead become UFC 215, marking the promotion's debut in the city.[16][17] This adjustment aligned with the UFC's broader strategy to expand its presence in Canada, where it had hosted nine prior events but none in Edmonton. The selection of Rogers Place, a state-of-the-art arena opened in 2016, facilitated partnerships with local entities including the venue's operators and city officials to promote mixed martial arts in Alberta. UFC executives highlighted the event as an opportunity to tap into the region's growing fanbase and strengthen ties with Canadian markets beyond established hubs like Montreal and Toronto.[18][19] The women's bantamweight title rematch between champion Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko was originally scheduled as the rematch following their first meeting at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016, where Nunes won by unanimous decision, but was postponed from UFC 213 on July 8, 2017, after Nunes withdrew due to illness.[20][21] Following subsequent card changes, including the cancellation of the original flyweight title bout, the promotional theme shifted to "Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2," centering on the women's bantamweight rematch. This focus emphasized high-stakes title redemption, with marketing materials and trailers building anticipation around their prior closely contested encounter. The UFC produced TV spots and online content to underscore the rivalry's intensity, positioning it as a marquee attraction for the pay-per-view.[22] Hype-building efforts included a media conference call on August 31, 2017, featuring key fighters discussing their preparations, followed by an on-site media day in Edmonton on September 7 with staredowns and interviews. These activities, combined with rapid ticket sales—nearing sellout within days of going on sale—underscored local enthusiasm and the UFC's targeted outreach through regional advertising and fan engagements.[23][24]Cancellations and Card Adjustments
UFC 215 experienced significant pre-event disruptions that necessitated major adjustments to its fight card. The original main event, a flyweight title bout between champion Demetrious Johnson and challenger Ray Borg, was cancelled on September 8, 2017, just one day before the event, after Borg was diagnosed with a viral illness that rendered him unfit to compete according to UFC medical staff.[2][25] The matchup was subsequently rescheduled for UFC 216 on October 7, 2017.[26] Earlier in the planning process, the heavyweight bout between former champion Junior dos Santos and rising contender Francis Ngannou was removed from the card on August 18, 2017, following dos Santos' positive test for hydrochlorothiazide, a banned diuretic under USADA protocols, which raised concerns of a potential anti-doping violation.[27][28] No replacement opponent was found for Ngannou, resulting in his complete withdrawal from the event.[29] To maintain the event's viability, the UFC restructured the main card. The women's bantamweight title rematch between champion Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, originally slated as the co-main event, was promoted to headline the pay-per-view broadcast.[2][30] Stepping up to fill the co-main slot was the welterweight matchup between Rafael dos Anjos and Neil Magny, which was elevated to the main broadcast following the flyweight title fight cancellation.[2][31] Additionally, the flyweight contest between Henry Cejudo and Wilson Reis was moved from the prelims to the PPV main card to bolster the lineup.[2] These changes ensured the event proceeded with a competitive five-fight main card despite the setbacks.Fight Card
Main Card
The main card of UFC 215 featured five bouts broadcast on pay-per-view, headlined by a women's bantamweight title rematch and including several high-stakes matchups between established contenders and prospects across multiple weight classes.[1] The headline fight pitted defending UFC women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes against top contender Valentina Shevchenko in a rematch. Nunes, a Brazilian fighter with a 7-1 UFC record at the time, had captured the title with a first-round submission victory over Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July 2016 and successfully defended it against Ronda Rousey later that year. Known for her aggressive striking and grappling, Nunes entered the bout aiming to solidify her reign. Shevchenko, a Kyrgyzstan native and former multiple-time Muay Thai and K-1 world champion, held a 3-1 UFC record, highlighted by a submission win over Julianna Peña in January 2017, and sought to avenge a prior unanimous decision loss to Nunes on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. Her elite kickboxing pedigree emphasized precise, high-volume striking.[32] In the welterweight co-main event, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos faced rising contender Neil Magny. Dos Anjos, a Brazilian veteran with a 15-7 UFC record, was transitioning back to welterweight after capturing the lightweight title in 2015 and scoring a recent decision win over Tarec Saffiedine in June 2017, bringing his well-rounded skill set including elite wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Magny, an American ranked No. 6 in the division with a 12-4 UFC record, was on a three-fight win streak, most notably a decision victory over Johny Hendricks in December 2016, leveraging his length, wrestling, and striking volume. The flyweight bout matched Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Wilson Reis. Cejudo, an American freestyle wrestling standout from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24, brought unparalleled takedown expertise and transitional grappling to the division. Reis, a seasoned Brazilian grappler with nine submission victories in his career, had competed as a top flyweight contender, including a recent title challenge, emphasizing his ground control and finishing ability from the bottom position. A light heavyweight clash saw Ilir Latifi take on unbeaten prospect Tyson Pedro. Latifi, an Albanian-Swedish fighter with a wrestling foundation and a 4-2 UFC record, was known for his durability and pressure fighting style, having previously competed against top-10 opponents. Pedro, an Australian with a kickboxing background and a 2-0 UFC record, entered undefeated overall at 6-0, showcasing explosive athleticism and striking flair in his prior Octagon wins. Rounding out the main card was a featherweight bout between knockout specialist Jeremy Stephens and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. Stephens, an American veteran with a 13-13 UFC record and 17 knockout wins, was renowned for his heavy hands and resilience in wars. Melendez, also American, brought championship experience from Bellator and Strikeforce with a 1-2 UFC record (one NC) at the time, highlighted by his elite boxing and overall MMA pedigree as he debuted at featherweight.Preliminary Card
The preliminary card for UFC 215 showcased a diverse array of weight classes, ranging from heavyweight to women's strawweight, highlighting emerging talents and providing opportunities for fighters with strong regional ties to the host city of Edmonton, Alberta. Aired on Fox Sports 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET and UFC Fight Pass for early prelims at 7 p.m. ET, the seven bouts featured a mix of submission specialists, strikers, and wrestlers, many of whom represented Canadian prospects or had connections to the local MMA scene.[1][33] Key matchups included a women's bantamweight clash between undefeated Brazilian prospect Ketlen Vieira, known for her grappling prowess and submission skills, and American Olympic wrestler Sara McMann, who brought elite wrestling credentials from her silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Another women's bantamweight bout pitted Canadian Sarah Moras, a Vancouver-based fighter with a background in judo, against Ashlee Evans-Smith, emphasizing ground control techniques in a matchup with potential for local fan appeal. In the women's strawweight division, Canadian grappler Randa Markos, a Baghdad-born fighter raised in London, Ontario, faced Australian aggressor Bec Rawlings, contrasting Markos's takedown-heavy style with Rawlings's forward pressure and striking volume. The welterweight bout featured Canadian knockout artist Nordine Taleb, a Montreal resident with a history of powerful striking finishes, against English speedster Danny Roberts, whose quick hands and counterpunching added excitement to the division's depth. Middleweight saw submission expert Gerald Meerschaert, renowned for his rear-naked choke expertise, test his skills against Thiago Santos, a Brazilian striker who later transitioned to light heavyweight and showcased heavy hands early in his UFC tenure. Early prelims on Fight Pass included a heavyweight debut for Canadian wrestler Arjan Bhullar, the first fighter of South Asian descent in the UFC and a 2012 Olympian, opposite Brazilian Luis Henrique da Silva, bringing size and experience to the clash. Rounding out the card was a lightweight matchup between Canadian Kajan Johnson, a Yellowknife native riding a win streak with versatile striking, and Brazilian Michel Prazeres, a judo black belt focused on grappling control.| Weight Class | Fighter 1 | vs. | Fighter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Bantamweight | Ketlen Vieira | vs. | Sara McMann |
| Women's Bantamweight | Sarah Moras | vs. | Ashlee Evans-Smith |
| Women's Strawweight | Randa Markos | vs. | Bec Rawlings |
| Welterweight | Nordine Taleb | vs. | Danny Roberts |
| Middleweight | Gerald Meerschaert | vs. | Thiago Santos |
| Heavyweight | Arjan Bhullar | vs. | Luis Henrique da Silva |
| Lightweight | Kajan Johnson | vs. | Michel Prazeres |
Results
Main Event Outcome
In the main event of UFC 215, women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes defended her title against challenger Valentina Shevchenko in a closely contested rematch, ultimately securing a split decision victory after five rounds.[34] The official scorecards read 48-47 in favor of Nunes from judges Sal D’Amato and David Therien, while judge Tony Weeks scored it 48-47 for Shevchenko, marking one of the most debated outcomes in UFC title fight history.[35] Refereed by veteran official John McCarthy, the bout showcased a blend of striking precision and grappling attempts, with Nunes' power edging out Shevchenko's technical volume in the eyes of the majority.[34] The first round saw Nunes establish early dominance through aggressive striking, landing 25 of 43 significant strikes compared to Shevchenko's 11 of 31, while securing the bout's first takedown late in the frame to punctuate her control.[34] Shevchenko responded in the second round with sharper counters, including an overhand left and body kicks, but Nunes outlanded her 16 to 12 in significant strikes in a tactical exchange that highlighted her cleaner technique. Round three featured intense striking flurries from both, with Nunes absorbing punishment but landing 17 significant strikes to Shevchenko's 15, maintaining a forward pressure that kept the action at range.[34] The championship rounds remained competitive, as Shevchenko ramped up her output in the fourth, connecting on 20 of 50 significant strikes against Nunes' 24 of 42, focusing on leg kicks to disrupt her opponent's base.[34] In the final round, fatigue appeared to set in for Nunes, who landed only 4 of 15 significant strikes while Shevchenko fired back with 14 of 32, but Nunes countered with a crucial late takedown and top control to sway the judges. Overall, Nunes outlanded Shevchenko 86 to 72 in significant strikes and held a 2-of-8 edge in takedowns, with Shevchenko attempting just one unsuccessful takedown, underscoring Nunes' slight advantage in output and grappling success.[34] The split verdict reflected the razor-thin margins, with the dissenting judge favoring Shevchenko's perceived control in rounds two, three, and five based on effective striking and movement.[35]Other Fight Outcomes
The co-main event featured former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos making a successful welterweight debut by submitting Neil Magny via arm-triangle choke at 3:43 of the first round, showcasing his grappling prowess against a taller opponent.[36] Flyweight contender Henry Cejudo followed with a dominant performance, securing a TKO victory over Wilson Reis via punches just 25 seconds into the second round.[36] The main card opener saw Jeremy Stephens outstrike Gilbert Melendez en route to a lopsided unanimous decision win (30-26, 30-26, 30-25), highlighted by devastating leg kicks that compromised Melendez's mobility. In a gritty light heavyweight clash, Ilir Latifi used superior wrestling to control Tyson Pedro for a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).[36] The preliminary card delivered several finishes and decisions, with Brazilian prospects shining in submission wins. Below is a summary of all non-main event results:| Weight Class | Bout | Winner | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welterweight | Rafael dos Anjos vs. Neil Magny | Rafael dos Anjos | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 3:43 [36] |
| Flyweight | Henry Cejudo vs. Wilson Reis | Henry Cejudo | TKO (punches) | 2 | 0:25 [36] |
| Light Heavyweight | Ilir Latifi vs. Tyson Pedro | Ilir Latifi | Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 [36] |
| Featherweight | Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert Melendez | Jeremy Stephens | Unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Women's Bantamweight | Ketlen Vieira vs. Sara McMann | Ketlen Vieira | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 2 | 4:16 [36] |
| Women's Bantamweight | Sarah Moras vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith | Sarah Moras | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 2:51 [36] |
| Featherweight | Rick Glenn vs. Gavin Tucker | Rick Glenn | Unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 29-27) | 3 | 5:00 [36] |
| Lightweight | Alex White vs. Mitch Clarke | Alex White | TKO (punches) | 2 | 4:36 [36] |
| Heavyweight | Arjan Bhullar vs. Luis Henrique | Arjan Bhullar | Unanimous decision (29-28 x3) | 3 | 5:00 [36] |
| Lightweight | Kajan Johnson vs. Adriano Martins | Kajan Johnson | KO (punch) | 3 | 0:49 [36] |