UFC 230
UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on November 3, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.[1] It marked the third UFC event hosted at the iconic venue and was headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Daniel Cormier and top contender Derrick Lewis.[1] The pay-per-view card primarily featured middleweight bouts, including high-profile matchups that showcased emerging talents and veteran performances.[2] In the main event, Cormier submitted Lewis via rear-naked choke at 2:14 of the second round, retaining his heavyweight title and making history as the first UFC fighter to successfully defend championships in two weight classes simultaneously—while also holding the light heavyweight belt.[2][3] The co-main event saw Ronaldo Souza defeat former middleweight champion Chris Weidman by third-round TKO, earning Fight of the Night honors for their back-and-forth war.[1][4] Other standout performances included Israel Adesanya's first-round knockout of Derek Brunson, which propelled his rise toward a title shot and netted him a Performance of the Night bonus, and Jared Cannonier's second-round stoppage of David Branch, also earning Performance of the Night accolades.[1][4] The event attracted an announced attendance of 17,011 fans and generated a live gate of $2,841,718.68, reflecting strong interest in the heavyweight title defense despite the card being assembled on relatively short notice after Lewis replaced an initially planned opponent.[5] UFC 230 contributed to the organization's growing legacy at Madison Square Garden, with a total of 12 bouts that blended title implications, knockouts, and submissions across multiple divisions.[1]Event Overview
Date and Venue
UFC 230 took place on November 3, 2018.[1] The event was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, United States, as part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's numbered pay-per-view series.[1][6] Madison Square Garden, with a capacity of approximately 20,000 for mixed martial arts events, is renowned as a premier venue for combat sports, having hosted numerous high-profile boxing and wrestling matches throughout its history.[7][8] The arena played a pivotal role in the UFC's expansion into New York following the state's legalization of professional mixed martial arts in April 2016, when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill regulating the sport under the New York State Athletic Commission.[9][10] This legislation, the last in the U.S. to sanction MMA, enabled landmark events like UFC 205 in November 2016 at the same venue, marking the promotion's debut in the state and setting the stage for subsequent cards such as UFC 230.[11][9]Broadcast and Revenue
The main card of UFC 230 was broadcast on pay-per-view (PPV) starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, while the preliminary card aired on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET, and the early preliminary card was available on UFC Fight Pass from 6:15 p.m. ET.[12][13] This multi-platform approach ensured broad accessibility for viewers in the United States, with the PPV event distributed through traditional cable and satellite providers as well as emerging digital options.[14] Financially, UFC 230 generated an estimated 250,000 PPV buys, according to reports from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The event drew 17,011 paid attendees at Madison Square Garden, contributing to a total live gate revenue of $2,841,718.[5][15] These figures reflected a solid commercial performance for a non-title-heavy card headlined by champion Daniel Cormier, though the per-ticket revenue averaged approximately $167, underscoring the venue's premium pricing in the New York market.[5] In comparison to prior UFC events at Madison Square Garden, UFC 230's viewership trended lower; for instance, UFC 205 in 2016 achieved 1.3 million PPV buys, and UFC 217 in 2017 reached 875,000, both boosted by high-profile title changes and star power absent in the 2018 lineup.[16] This decline highlighted a broader softening in PPV demand for New York cards without crossover appeal, despite consistent live attendance drawing from the local fanbase.[17]Background
Announcement and Promotion
UFC 230 was officially announced on July 8, 2018, as part of the promotion's release of its remaining event schedule for the year, scheduled for November 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[18] At the time of the initial announcement, no headliner was specified, but early bout bookings began shortly thereafter to build the card.[19] The event's initial headlining bout was planned as a women's flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Sijara Eubanks for the vacant championship, announced on October 2, 2018, after Joanna Jędrzejczyk withdrew from her scheduled bout against Shevchenko at UFC 231 due to preparation issues.[20] This matchup was positioned to anchor the pay-per-view, emphasizing Shevchenko's technical striking prowess against Eubanks' grappling credentials, but it was shifted just one week later due to the opportunity for a higher-profile heavyweight title defense.[21] Promotion for UFC 230 centered on Daniel Cormier's status as the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion, having won the heavyweight title at UFC 226 in July 2018 while holding the light heavyweight belt, alongside Derrick Lewis's reputation for explosive knockouts and fan-favorite persona.[22] Marketing campaigns highlighted the event as a marquee return to Madison Square Garden—UFC's "Mecca" following sold-out successes like UFC 205 and 217—building hype around Cormier's historic heavyweight title defense against Lewis's power-punching threat, with trailers like "Blood in the Water" underscoring the high stakes and potential for a legendary moment.[23] Key press releases from UFC.com marked the promotional timeline: On July 24, 2018, Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa was confirmed as a middleweight showcase bout.[24] The Cormier-Lewis headliner was detailed on October 9, 2018, via UFC president Dana White's statements.[25] An October 16, 2018, feature interview with Cormier amplified Fighter of the Year narratives tied to the event.[22] Final card updates and official poster release followed on October 17, 2018, solidifying the buildup.[26]Card Changes
The UFC 230 event underwent several significant alterations to its fight card in the lead-up to November 3, 2018, primarily due to injuries, scheduling shifts, and promotional decisions aimed at elevating high-profile matchups. Initially announced in August 2018 without a confirmed headliner, the card began taking shape with Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz booked as the lightweight main event on August 3. However, this bout was scrapped on October 9 when Poirier withdrew due to an undisclosed injury sustained in training.[27] On October 2, the UFC announced Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks as the main event for the vacant women's flyweight championship, shifting Shevchenko from her originally planned UFC 231 bout against Joanna Jedrzejczyk after Jedrzejczyk was unable to prepare in time.[28] This flyweight title opportunity for Eubanks, who had earned contender status following her TUF 26 Finale performance, was short-lived. Just one week later, on October 9, the UFC elevated Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis to the heavyweight title main event—made possible after Lewis's knockout win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 229—prompting the cancellation of Shevchenko vs. Eubanks.[29] Shevchenko was rebooked against Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231, while Eubanks remained on the UFC 230 undercard, matched against Roxanne Modafferi in a women's flyweight bout.[30] The change delayed the flyweight division's title resolution but allowed for a blockbuster heavyweight clash that heightened the event's appeal around the promotion's buildup of the heavyweight crown. Further adjustments rippled through the middleweight division. Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold was initially slated for the co-main event slot following Poirier's withdrawal, but Rockhold pulled out on October 19 due to a severe leg infection requiring a stem-cell graft, compounded by a broken nose and sprained knee from training.[31] Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza stepped in as a replacement, creating a pivotal middleweight matchup with Weidman on October 20.[32] This substitution displaced Souza's original opponent, David Branch, who was then paired with Jared Cannonier on October 22 in another middleweight contest added to the card.[33] To bolster the main card, Israel Adesanya vs. Derek Brunson, which had been announced earlier on August 3, 2018, provided a high-stakes middleweight clash that showcased emerging talent Adesanya against the veteran Brunson. These shifts strengthened the middleweight representation but left the lightweight division without its anticipated marquee fight, impacting contender progression in that weight class. Undercard adjustments were less disruptive but contributed to the final configuration. For instance, multiple preliminary bouts were reshuffled to accommodate the promoted fights, including the addition of Karl Roberson vs. Jack Marshman in middleweight after earlier pairings fell through due to opponent availability. The overall chronology of changes, spanning from late August through late October 2018, transformed an already solid lineup into a heavyweight-focused spectacle while introducing key middleweight opportunities that influenced divisional narratives moving forward.[29]Pre-Event
Weigh-Ins
The official weigh-ins for UFC 230 were held on November 2, 2018, at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the day before the event at the main arena.[34][35] Early weigh-ins occurred at the UFC host hotel, while the ceremonial session open to the public began at 6 p.m. ET, drawing a lively crowd for the pre-fight formalities.[34][35] All 26 fighters on the card made weight for their respective bouts, with the exception of two who came in over the limit, resulting in catchweight adjustments and fines. Sijara Eubanks weighed in at 127.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds above the women's flyweight limit of 125 pounds, for her bout against Roxanne Modafferi; the fight proceeded at catchweight, and Eubanks forfeited 20 percent of her purse to Modafferi.[34][35] Similarly, Brian Kelleher registered 137 pounds, 2 pounds over the bantamweight limit of 135 pounds, ahead of his matchup with Montel Jackson; this bout also went ahead at catchweight, with Kelleher fined 20 percent of his purse.[34][35] No other weight-related issues were reported, ensuring the full card moved forward as planned.[34] The following table summarizes the official weigh-in results by bout:| Bout | Fighter 1 | Weight (lbs) | Fighter 2 | Weight (lbs) | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Heavyweight Championship | Daniel Cormier | 251.2 | Derrick Lewis | 264.6 | Heavyweight |
| Co-Main: Middleweight | Chris Weidman | 186 | Ronaldo Souza | 185.4 | Middleweight |
| Middleweight | David Branch | 185.6 | Jared Cannonier | 184.8 | Middleweight |
| Middleweight | Karl Roberson | 184.6 | Jack Marshman | 185.4 | Middleweight |
| Middleweight | Israel Adesanya | 184.8 | Derek Brunson | 185.8 | Middleweight |
| Featherweight | Hakeem Dawodu | 145 | Kyle Bochniak | 146 | Featherweight |
| Women's Flyweight (Catchweight) | Sijara Eubanks* | 127.2 | Roxanne Modafferi | 125 | Flyweight |
| Featherweight | Jason Knight | 145.8 | Jordan Rinaldi | 145.8 | Featherweight |
| Featherweight | Julio Arce | 145 | Sheymon Moraes | 146 | Featherweight |
| Welterweight | Lyman Good | 169.6 | Ben Saunders | 170.4 | Welterweight |
| Lightweight | Matt Frevola | 155.4 | Lando Vannata | 155.4 | Lightweight |
| Featherweight | Shane Burgos | 145.6 | Kurt Holobaugh | 145 | Featherweight |
| Bantamweight (Catchweight) | Brian Kelleher* | 137 | Montel Jackson | 136 | Bantamweight |
| Heavyweight | Marcos Rogerio de Lima | 253.2 | Adam Wieczorek | 232.2 | Heavyweight |
Press Conference
The UFC 230 pre-fight media event occurred on November 1, 2018, in New York City, structured as a media day featuring individual fighter interviews, a fan Q&A session, and staredowns to build anticipation for the heavyweight title bout.[38][39] Unlike traditional open workouts, which had taken place the previous day on October 31, this session emphasized verbal exchanges and promotional activities, allowing fighters like Derrick Lewis to engage directly with attendees instead of demonstrating techniques.[40] During the Q&A, champion Daniel Cormier highlighted his grappling superiority, expressing confidence that his wrestling pedigree would neutralize Lewis's knockout power and potentially lead to a submission victory, drawing on his Olympic-level background to underscore his technical edge.[41] Lewis, in response, trash-talked that he planned to knock Cormier out early, dismissing the champion's ground game as overhyped.[42][40] The event drew significant media attention, with journalists from outlets like MMA Fighting, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN conducting on-site interviews, while fan interactions added to the lively atmosphere through direct questions posed to Lewis and other fighters during the Q&A.[39][40] Analysts at the time largely favored Cormier, with betting odds listing him as a heavy -700 favorite and Lewis as a +450 underdog, reflecting expectations of a dominant performance by the defending champion.[43]Fight Card
Main Card
The main card for UFC 230 featured five bouts, headlined by a heavyweight title defense and four middleweight matchups, all broadcast on pay-per-view from Madison Square Garden in New York City. This lineup was assembled on relatively short notice following several high-profile injuries and withdrawals, such as Dustin Poirier's hip injury and Luke Rockhold's knee injury.[1][44][45] In the main event, UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier (21-1) defended his title against Derrick Lewis (21-5). Cormier, an Olympic-level wrestler and former Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix winner, had recently captured the belt by knocking out Stipe Miocic at UFC 226, becoming the promotion's first simultaneous two-division champion after also holding the light heavyweight crown. At 39 years old, he aimed to solidify his legacy before a planned retirement in early 2019, viewing this as a high-earnings opportunity despite the abrupt matchup. Lewis, a knockout artist known for his explosive power and unorthodox style, earned the shot after a stunning third-round knockout of Alexander Volkov at UFC 229, marking a 9-1 run in his prior ten fights. The bout pitted Cormier's technical wrestling and clinch control against Lewis' raw strength, size, and one-punch knockout threat, with analysts expecting Cormier to grind the fight while Lewis sought an early finish.[46][47] The co-main event saw former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman (14-3) face Ronaldo "Jacaré" Souza (25-6) in a potential title eliminator. Weidman, a New York native returning to his home state for the first time since 2014, had reclaimed momentum with a unanimous decision over Kelvin Gastelum in July 2017 after three consecutive losses, drawing on his decorated wrestling background and improved striking to re-enter contender contention. Souza, a former Strikeforce middleweight champion and elite grappler with world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu credentials, had strung together wins over Derek Brunson and Gegard Mousasi but never secured a UFC title shot despite his pedigree. A victory was seen as a path for either to challenge champion Robert Whittaker, with the stylistic clash emphasizing Weidman's boxing range and takedown defense against Souza's pressure wrestling and submission hunting.[48][46] Further down the card, David Branch (22-4) met Jared Cannonier (10-4) in a middleweight bout reshuffled due to earlier card changes. Branch, a two-division champion in World Series of Fighting with strong grappling and top control, had rebounded from a loss to Luke Rockhold with a first-round knockout of Thiago Santos earlier in 2018, positioning him as a top-10 contender. Cannonier, dropping to middleweight for the first time after competing mostly at light heavyweight, brought a kickboxing foundation honed in regional promotions, having gone 3-3 in the UFC with losses to elite competition like Glover Teixeira. The matchup highlighted Branch's submission-oriented ground game and boxing setups against Cannonier's mobile striking and off-angle punches, with a win crucial for Branch to maintain his ranking and for Cannonier to establish himself in the division.[49] Israel Adesanya (13-0) faced Derek Brunson (18-5) in another middleweight clash. Adesanya, a former Glory kickboxing standout from New Zealand, entered undefeated in MMA with a flair for creative, distance-based striking and had impressed on Dana White's Contender Series. Brunson, a powerful wrestler training at American Top Team, held top-five aspirations after a knockout of Lyoto Machida but needed consistency following inconsistent performances. The fight represented a major test for Adesanya's unproven ground game against Brunson's aggressive takedowns and forward pressure, potentially elevating the winner toward title contention.[50] Rounding out the main card, Karl Roberson (6-1) took on Jack Marshman (22-7) at middleweight. Roberson, a 28-year-old prospect and former kickboxer, had earned his UFC contract with a quick submission on Contender Series and notched a win over Darren Stewart, rebounding from his first professional loss. Marshman, a 30-year-old Welsh veteran with experience in Cage Warriors, had an upset debut knockout but struggled against top UFC talent like Thiago Santos. Both fighters sought to build momentum, with Roberson's technical counters and grappling facing Marshman's brawling volume and close-range power.[51]Preliminary Card
The preliminary card for UFC 230, broadcast on Fox Sports 1 starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, highlighted four mid-tier matchups that provided key opportunities for established fighters to regain momentum or solidify their positions within the UFC roster.[1] These bouts spanned the featherweight division twice, a catchweight contest, and welterweight, emphasizing grapplers and strikers vying for relevance in competitive weight classes.[52] In the featherweight opener, Jason Knight faced Jordan Rinaldi in a clash of fighters seeking to halt recent skid. Knight entered with two consecutive losses in the UFC, including defeats to top prospects, while Rinaldi dropped to 145 pounds for his first fight at the weight class after going 1-2 at lightweight. The matchup was added to the card in September 2018 as a test for both to reestablish themselves in the stacked featherweight landscape. The catchweight bout at 126 pounds pitted Sijara Eubanks against Roxanne Modafferi, drawing attention due to Eubanks' recent turmoil. Eubanks had been slated for a flyweight title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 230 before the matchup was altered to Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Shevchenko, prompting Eubanks to confront UFC president Dana White in frustration over the change.[53] With a 2-1 UFC record including a knockout win over Sarah Fromento, Eubanks aimed to rebound against the 38-year-old Modafferi, a judo black belt and TUF 26 veteran coming off a unanimous decision victory. Another featherweight contest featured Sheymon Moraes taking on Julio Arce, both of whom had shown promise in recent Octagon appearances. Moraes, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a 2-1 UFC record, sought to build on his unanimous decision win over Elias Boudegourd, while New York native Arce, undefeated in two UFC fights following his debut, looked to capitalize on home-crowd support in his third promotion bout. This fight underscored the depth of the featherweight division, where consistent wins could propel contenders toward top-15 contention.[54] Closing the prelims was a welterweight showdown between Lyman Good and Ben Saunders. Good, known as "Cyborg" and a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter Season 19 where he advanced past the elimination round, returned after a 17-month layoff with a 1-1 UFC mark, aiming to leverage his knockout power.[55] Saunders, stepping in on short notice for an injured opponent, brought a 8-7 UFC record and experience against ranked foes like Jake Ellenberger, making the bout a potential ranking booster in the welterweight hierarchy for the victor.[56]Early Preliminary Card
The early preliminary card for UFC 230 consisted of three bouts streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, providing a platform for emerging talents and regional fighters to gain visibility in the promotion.[1] These matchups highlighted prospects vying for breakthroughs in their respective divisions, with opportunities for standout performances to lead to extended contracts or higher-profile assignments.[2] The card opened with a heavyweight clash between Marcos Rogério de Lima and Adam Wieczorek, both seeking to solidify their places in the UFC's deep 265-pound division after recent inconsistencies in their records.[1] Following that was a featherweight bout featuring Shane Burgos against Kurt Holobaugh, where Burgos, a Bronx native with a black belt in Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts and multiple NAGA grappling medals, brought his submission expertise to the Octagon.[57] The lightweight opener pitted Matt Frevola, a New York-area fighter from Northport known for his local fanbase and U.S. Army Reserve background, against Lando Vannata, emphasizing Frevola's appeal to the Madison Square Garden crowd.[58] These early bouts underscored the UFC's developmental pipeline, offering lesser-known fighters like de Lima, Wieczorek, Holobaugh, and Vannata chances to showcase skills that could propel them toward regional dominance or UFC roster stability, while local stars such as Frevola and Burgos aimed to capitalize on home-state energy for career momentum.[59]Results
Main Event
The main event of UFC 230 featured a UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Daniel Cormier and challenger Derrick Lewis on November 3, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Cormier, entering as a heavy favorite at -650 odds, aimed to solidify his status as a dual-division champion following his recent light heavyweight title retention.[41] Lewis, known for his knockout power, stepped in on short notice after previous opponents withdrew, bringing his explosive striking to counter Cormier's wrestling pedigree.[60] In the opening round, Lewis started aggressively, landing a few heavy punches early to test Cormier's chin, but Cormier quickly closed the distance and secured a takedown at the 1:00 mark.[61] From there, Cormier transitioned to side control and briefly took Lewis's back, controlling the pace on the mat despite Lewis's attempts to scramble up.[61] Lewis managed to stand midway through but ate a second takedown, allowing Cormier to rain down ground-and-pound strikes while absorbing minimal damage in return—only three strikes from Lewis landed.[61] The round ended with Cormier dominating positionally, earning a likely 10-8 score from judges due to his grappling superiority.[61] The second round began with Lewis swinging big for a knockout, connecting with a right hand that briefly rocked Cormier, but the champion absorbed the shot and immediately shot for another takedown, dragging Lewis to the canvas.[62] Cormier swiftly advanced to the back mount, flattening Lewis out and sinking in hooks before locking up a rear-naked choke.[61] Lewis fought the submission valiantly but tapped out at 2:14, giving Cormier the victory by submission.[61] With the win, Cormier successfully defended his heavyweight title for the second time, following his initial capture against Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 earlier that year, and maintained his undefeated record as heavyweight champion at 2-0.[63] This performance underscored Cormier's versatility, blending elite wrestling with opportunistic finishing ability against a power puncher like Lewis.[64]Undercard Outcomes
The undercard of UFC 230 featured 11 bouts across the main card, preliminary card, and early preliminary card, all of which proceeded without interruptions or late changes once the event began.[65] Several fights ended in decisive finishes, including four first- or second-round stoppages, while the majority went the full distance to judges' scorecards.[61]| Fighter 1 | vs. | Fighter 2 | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronaldo Souza | Chris Weidman | Souza def. Weidman | TKO (punches) | 3 | 2:46 [66] | |
| Jared Cannonier | David Branch | Cannonier def. Branch | TKO (punches) | 2 | 0:39 | |
| Karl Roberson | Jack Marshman | Roberson def. Marshman | Unanimous decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Israel Adesanya | Derek Brunson | Adesanya def. Brunson | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:51 | |
| Jordan Rinaldi | Jason Knight | Rinaldi def. Knight | Unanimous decision | 3 | 5:00 [67] | |
| Sijara Eubanks | Roxanne Modafferi | Eubanks def. Modafferi | Unanimous decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Sheymon Moraes | Julio Arce | Moraes def. Arce | Split decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Lyman Good | Ben Saunders | Good def. Saunders | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:32 | |
| Matt Frevola | Lando Vannata | Draw | Majority decision | 3 | 5:00 [68] | |
| Shane Burgos | Kurt Holobaugh | Burgos def. Holobaugh | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 2:11 | |
| Marcos Rogerio de Lima | Adam Wieczorek | de Lima def. Wieczorek | Unanimous decision | 3 | 5:00 |