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UFC 259

UFC 259: Błachowicz vs. Adesanya was a event produced by the (UFC) that took place on March 6, 2021, at the in , . The event marked the seventh UFC card with three title fights and was held without a live audience due to ongoing restrictions. It drew an estimated 800,000 buys worldwide, including 600,000 domestic purchases on ESPN+ and 200,000 international sales. The main event featured a light heavyweight title defense by Polish champion against Nigerian middleweight titleholder , who was making his divisional debut; Błachowicz retained the belt via (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) after five rounds, handing Adesanya the first loss of his professional career. In the co-main event, Brazilian defended her women's featherweight championship against Australian challenger Megan Anderson, submitting her opponent with an armbar at 2:03 of the first round to extend her UFC winning streak to 12 fights. The card's third title bout saw Russian bantamweight champion disqualified in the fourth round against American contender for an illegal knee to the head of a grounded opponent, awarding Sterling the vacant title in a historic first for the UFC. Beyond the championships, the event included notable performances such as a third-round submission win by Islam Makhachev over Drew Dober in the lightweight division, bolstering his lightweight title aspirations, and a split decision victory for Dominick Cruz in his bantamweight prelim headliner against Casey Kenney. UFC 259 aired live on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+, underscoring the promotion's stacked lineup of elite fighters across multiple weight classes.

Event Details

Date and Venue

UFC 259 took place on March 6, 2021, at the in , , . The event was held in the compact, controlled environment of the Apex facility, which allowed for streamlined operations amid ongoing health concerns. Due to restrictions in at the time, UFC 259 was conducted as a closed-door event with no live audience permitted, ensuring compliance with public health guidelines. This setup mirrored many UFC productions during the pandemic, prioritizing fighter and staff safety while maintaining broadcast continuity without on-site spectators. Attendance figures were reported as zero, resulting in a live gate revenue of $0, as no tickets were sold. The event's reach extended through , generating an estimated 800,000 buys worldwide, reflecting strong viewer interest despite the absence of in-person crowds.

Production and Broadcast

The main card of UFC 259 was broadcast as a pay-per-view event on in the United States, beginning at 10:00 p.m. EDT on March 6, 2021. The preliminary card aired on and starting at 8:00 p.m. EDT, while the early prelims were available on at 6:00 p.m. EDT. Internationally, the event was distributed through various partners, including BT Sport in the United Kingdom, where the main card started at 3:00 a.m. GMT on March 7. served as the global streaming platform for prelims and early prelims outside the U.S., with additional regional broadcasters like handling coverage in select markets such as . Production was handled by the UFC's in-house broadcast team, with no specific deviations from standard procedures noted for the event. provided play-by-play commentary, joined by color analysts and for the main card and prelims. Due to ongoing restrictions at the venue, the event proceeded without an on-site crowd, resulting in a silent arena atmosphere during broadcasts.

Background

Announcement and Promotion

UFC 259 was announced in December 2020 as part of the promotion's adjusted 2021 schedule following disruptions from the , with the main event matchup revealed on December 30. The event marked a significant return to high-profile programming, building on the UFC's efforts to stabilize operations after relocating multiple cards to safer venues like earlier in the year. The promotional theme centered on the rarity of featuring three title fights in one night, a format not seen since in 2017. Marketing efforts highlighted this stacked championship lineup to generate buzz, positioning the event as a landmark opportunity. Trailers released in February 2021 emphasized Israel Adesanya's ambition to claim a second divisional title and ' unparalleled dominance across multiple weight classes, using dramatic visuals and fighter soundbites to underscore the high stakes. A pre-fight was held on March 4, 2021, where the six title bout participants fielded questions from media, further amplifying hype through direct fighter interactions. The official weigh-ins took place on March 5, 2021, at the in , conducted under protocols that limited in-person attendance and relied on for global fan engagement.

Fight Card Assembly

The main event for UFC 259 was finalized on December 30, 2020, when UFC champion was booked to challenge light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz for the 205-pound title. Adesanya, undefeated in the UFC at the time, aimed to become the organization's fifth simultaneous two-division champion without vacating his belt, marking a significant cross-division super fight. The co-main event featured a title clash between champion and challenger Megan Anderson, rebooked for March 6, 2021, after Nunes withdrew from their original matchup at due to health concerns. Anderson had earned her title opportunity through key victories, including a first-round of at UFC Fight Night 169 in February 2020, positioning her as the top contender in the division. The championship bout was added to the card on January 8, 2021, as the third title fight of the evening, pitting defending champion against top-ranked challenger in their first professional meeting. Yan, who had captured the title with a decision win over Jose Aldo at in July 2020, sought to solidify his reign against Sterling, who had strung together four consecutive victories leading into the matchup. Other notable main card bookings included a lightweight showdown between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober, announced in December 2020 to give Makhachev a ranked opponent for momentum in the division. Additionally, light heavyweight contenders Aleksandar Rakic and were paired in a pivotal clash to determine the next title challenger, with the bout confirmed in December 2020. The event experienced no major cancellations, with all fights proceeding as planned after uneventful weigh-ins on March 5, 2021.

Main Card Results

Championship Bouts

The championship bout between defending champion and titleholder served as the main event, with Adesanya aiming to become the fifth simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history. Błachowicz retained his title via after five rounds, with judges scoring the fight 49-46, 49-45, and 49-45. Early in the fight, Adesanya used his striking to land combinations and a notable left hook in the first round, but Błachowicz countered with pressure, securing takedowns in rounds two and three to control the action on the mat. Błachowicz's size and wrestling dominance became more evident in the later rounds, where he reversed positions and landed ground strikes, frustrating Adesanya's attempts to stand and handing the challenger his first professional loss. In the co-main event for the women's featherweight title, champion Amanda Nunes faced challenger Megan Anderson, who sought to become the second Australian to win UFC gold. Nunes retained her belt via submission (armbar) at 2:03 of the first round, extending her winning streak to 12 fights. Nunes immediately pressured Anderson with forward movement, landing a hard right hand that stunned the challenger early and dropped her to the canvas. From there, Nunes transitioned seamlessly into top position, securing an inverted triangle armbar that forced Anderson to tap, showcasing Nunes' versatility across weight classes. The bantamweight title fight pitted champion Petr Yan against top contender Aljamain Sterling in the night's third championship bout. Sterling won the belt via disqualification at 4:29 of the fourth round after Yan delivered an illegal knee to Sterling's head while the challenger had three points of contact on the mat. The bout was competitive through three rounds, with Yan edging ahead via striking volume and a knockdown in the second, while Sterling relied on grappling to neutralize Yan's offense. In the fourth, after Sterling secured a takedown, Yan's knee strike prompted referee Mark Smith to halt the action, deeming Sterling unable to continue; scorecards at the stoppage read 29-28 for Yan on two cards and 29-28 for Sterling on the third. This marked the first time in UFC history a fighter won a title via disqualification.

Non-Title Bouts

In the light heavyweight non-title bout, No. 4-ranked defeated No. 2-ranked by after three rounds, with judges scoring it 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27. adopted a measured strategy, circling at range to evade ' knockout power while pressing forward with jabs, leg kicks, and clinch knees to control the tempo. Although landed more significant strikes (49 to 's 36), had the higher volume of attempts (97 versus 89) but 's 2:32 of control time along the fence swayed the judges in his favor, marking his sixth UFC win and solidifying his contender status. The lightweight non-title fight featured against the streaking , ending with Makhachev securing an arm-triangle choke submission at 1:37 of the third round. Makhachev overwhelmed Dober with relentless wrestling pressure, landing three of four takedown attempts and accumulating 9:26 of control time across the bout, which limited Dober's striking output to just 10 significant strikes. After surviving early exchanges, Makhachev transitioned seamlessly from top position to lock in the choke, extending his winning streak to seven and boosting his profile in the division.

Preliminary Card Results

ESPN/ESPN+ Prelims

The ESPN/ESPN+ portion of the UFC 259 preliminary card featured seven bouts that showcased a mix of veteran savvy and rising prospects across multiple divisions, providing mid-card excitement ahead of the pay-per-view main events. These fights highlighted emerging talents like undefeated Russian flyweight and American bantamweight , both of whom extended their unbeaten streaks in the while testing themselves against established contenders. The card aired live from the in on March 6, 2021, emphasizing grappling dominance, striking exchanges, and dramatic turnarounds. In the welterweight bout, Sean Brady (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) submitted Jake Matthews (18-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) via arm-triangle choke at 3:28 of the third round. Brady controlled the fight with superior , securing the finish after a in the final frame to remain undefeated in the UFC. The light heavyweight clash saw Kennedy (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) stop Carlos (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) via (punches) at 3:19 of the second round, capitalizing on a to deliver ground-and-pound that forced the referee's intervention. Nzechukwu, riding momentum from a first-round in his prior outing, improved to 3-2 in the UFC by mixing sharp kicks with effective clinch work to wear down his taller opponent. Ulberg, a 27-year-old New Zealander making his promotional debut after going 5-0 on the regional scene, struggled to utilize his reach advantage and absorbed heavy shots before the stoppage, marking his first professional defeat. The victory positioned Nzechukwu as a prospect to watch in the division's rebuilding phase. In the flyweight matchup, (18-11-1 MMA, 5-7-1 UFC) outpointed Jordan Espinosa (15-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) via (30-27, 30-27, 30-25) after three rounds, leveraging his superior wrestling and pace to control much of the action on the feet and ground. Elliott, a UFC veteran with prior experience on , extended his record to 5-7-1 by frustrating Espinosa's attempts at counterstriking and securing consistent takedowns. Espinosa, returning from a loss earlier in 2020, absorbed significant damage but couldn't mount a comeback. This bout underscored Elliott's adaptability in a division known for its high-volume grapplers. In the flyweight opener for this portion, (13-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 UFC entering) delivered a dominant performance against former title challenger (27-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC entering), securing a victory with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26 after three rounds. Askarov controlled the fight with superior wrestling and heavy ground strikes, repeatedly taking Benavidez's back and bloodying the veteran in the second round, though Benavidez showed resilience in avoiding submission attempts. This win solidified Askarov's status as a top flyweight prospect, outlanding Benavidez 130-61 in significant strikes while averaging 4.33 takedowns per round. The subsequent flyweight clash saw Kai Kara-France (21-9 MMA, 4-2 UFC entering) rally from near-submission danger to stop Rogerio Bontorin (16-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC entering) via TKO (punches) at 4:55 of the first round. Bontorin dominated early with grappling, securing a rear-naked choke that nearly forced a tap, but Kara-France escaped and unleashed a devastating right hand that face-planted Bontorin, prompting referee Herb Dean to wave off the fight as the Brazilian lay motionless. Kara-France's comeback knockout, reminiscent of Mark Hunt's vintage walk-offs, marked his first UFC finish and boosted his momentum as a flyweight contender. Bantamweight prospect (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC entering) outworked streaking Chinese fighter (16-5-1 MMA, 5-1-1 UFC entering) to earn a (29-28 x3) after three competitive rounds. Phillips stunned Yadong with a massive head kick in the first round that wobbled the 22-year-old, but Yadong recovered and pressed forward with volume striking; Phillips countered effectively with precise combinations and takedown defense, landing 92 significant strikes to Yadong's 78. The victory kept Phillips undefeated in the UFC, highlighting his length and technical striking against a fellow emerging talent. Headlining the prelims, former two-time champion (23-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC entering) returned from a nearly five-year layoff to edge (15-2-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC entering) via (29-28, 28-29, 30-27). Cruz utilized his legendary footwork and angles to land counters in a back-and-forth affair, stuffing 11 of 12 takedown attempts while outstriking Kenney 78-72 in significant strikes, though Kenney's pressure and in the second round swayed one judge. The win marked Cruz's first victory since and demonstrated his enduring mid-card relevance despite the close nature of the bout.

UFC Fight Pass Early Prelims

The UFC Fight Pass Early Prelims for UFC 259, held on March 6, 2021, at the in , , consisted of three opening bouts that highlighted emerging talent and veteran resilience in the lower ranks of the card. These fights, streamed exclusively on starting at 5:15 p.m. ET, served as an introduction to the event's stacked lineup of title defenses, with a focus on debuts and technical matchups in non-contender divisions. In the bantamweight opener, (12-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC entering) defeated (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC entering) via (punches) at 0:40 of the second round. Jones overwhelmed Bautista with aggressive striking and ground control, landing a flurry of punches that prompted the referee to stop the contest early in the round. This win improved Jones to 2-1 in the UFC, showcasing his finishing power. The contest featured Uros (5-0 MMA, UFC debut) stopping Aalon (10-3 MMA, UFC debut) via (punches) at 1:40 of the first round. , making his promotional debut, pressed forward with heavy hands and secured a takedown before unleashing ground strikes that forced the stoppage. Both fighters were debuting, but 's aggression earned him the quick finish in an all-debut matchup. Women's strawweight capped the early prelims as (8-1-1 MMA, 2-1-1 UFC entering) defeated Livinha Souza (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC entering) by (punches) at 3:39 of the first round. Lemos dominated with powerful striking, dropping Souza early and following up with ground-and-pound to secure the stoppage. The victory boosted Lemos's standing in the division, highlighting her knockout power. No last-minute changes affected these matchups, though the card overall saw adjustments earlier in the week due to protocols.

Awards and Aftermath

Bonus Awards

At UFC 259, held on March 6, 2021, the UFC awarded four $50,000 post-fight bonuses to recognize exceptional performances on the card, all of which went to fighters from the preliminary bouts despite the event featuring three title fights. The Performance of the Night awards were given to for his second-round victory over in a flyweight bout, and to Uros Medic for his first-round of Aalon Cruz in his UFC debut during a lightweight matchup, with each receiving $50,000 for their dominant finishes. The Fight of the Night bonus, also worth $50,000 split between the participants, was awarded to and for their light heavyweight clash, which Nzechukwu won by third-round submission after a competitive back-and-forth exchange. These bonuses, totaling $200,000, were announced by UFC President during the post-fight press conference, adhering to the promotion's standard criteria for highlighting the most outstanding individual performances and the most entertaining fight of the evening.

Immediate Impact and Controversies

UFC 259 marked a pivotal moment in the promotion's history as the seventh event to feature three simultaneous title bouts, involving four reigning champions and five belts across multiple divisions. This stacked configuration underscored the event's prestige, with champion defending against undefeated titleholder in the main event, women's featherweight champion facing interim titleholder Megan Anderson in the co-main, and bantamweight champion putting his belt on the line against top contender . The card's emphasis on elite title defenses highlighted the UFC's growing emphasis on high-stakes matchups in recent years, echoing rare occurrences like in 2017. In terms of title outcomes, Błachowicz retained his championship via (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) over Adesanya, marking the latter's first professional loss and thwarting his bid to become a simultaneous two-division . Nunes similarly preserved her women's featherweight title, submitting Anderson with an armbar at 2:03 of the first round and extending her dominant run as a two-belt titleholder. Sterling captured the crown through Yan's disqualification for an illegal knee to the head of a grounded opponent at 4:29 of the fourth round, making him the first UFC to win a title solely by disqualification and immediately vacating Yan's reign. These results preserved two titles while shifting the division in an unprecedented manner, with Sterling's victory prompting swift discussions of a rematch to legitimize the change. The headliner ignited significant controversy due to Yan's infraction under the unified s, which prohibit knees to the head of a downed , sparking widespread debate over the clarity and enforcement of grounded opponent regulations. Critics, including referee John McCarthy, questioned whether Sterling exaggerated the impact of the knee—later confirmed to cause concussion-like symptoms—while Yan's corner was faulted for prematurely signaling the fight's continuation, leading to calls for revisions or even banning the grounded knee prohibition to avoid such outcomes. The disqualification not only cost Yan his but also drew backlash against Sterling's legitimacy as , with some labeling the result as undeserved despite his competitive performance prior to the foul; Yan was effectively stripped of the belt pending potential reinstatement via rematch, as announced shortly after. This incident overshadowed Yan's otherwise dominant showing and fueled immediate demands for a rubber match to resolve the division's leadership. The rematch took place at on March 5, 2022, where Yan defeated Sterling by technical knockout in the first round to reclaim the . Immediate post-event reactions amplified the event's buzz, with the pay-per-view drawing an estimated 600,000 domestic buys and 800,000 worldwide, reflecting strong fan interest despite the controversial finish. In the post-fight , Sterling defended his title win vehemently, urging detractors like to "shut the f**k up" and expressing a personal drive for a rematch to prove his worth beyond the technicality, while admitting the victory felt unearned. Adesanya reflected graciously on his defeat, emphasizing resilience and his intact reign, as UFC president confirmed plans for Yan-Sterling II to address the uproar; the overall discourse positioned UFC 259 as a landmark for its blend of historic stakes and divisive drama.

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