UFC 295
UFC 295 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on November 11, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring a light heavyweight championship rematch between former champion Jiří Procházka and Alex Pereira in the main event, alongside an interim heavyweight title bout between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall as the co-main event.[1][2] The event marked the UFC's return to Madison Square Garden for a pay-per-view card since UFC 205 in 2016 and drew an announced attendance of 19,039 fans, generating a live gate of $12,432,563, which ranked as the second-highest grossing UFC event in the venue's history behind only UFC 205.[3][4] In the headline fight, Pereira secured the light heavyweight title with a second-round knockout via elbows at 4:08, becoming the ninth UFC fighter to claim championships in two divisions and doing so in just his seventh Octagon appearance.[5][6] Aspinall claimed the interim heavyweight belt in the co-main event by knocking out Pavlovich with a right hand just 1:09 into the first round, extending his undefeated streak in the division to seven fights.[2] The main card delivered a high-octane night with all five bouts ending in finishes, including Jessica Andrade's second-round TKO of Mackenzie Dern via ground-and-pound and Benoît Saint Denis's viral first-round knockout of Matt Frevola with a flying knee.[7][2] Among the prelims, standout performances included Diego Lopes's first-round TKO of Pat Sabatini and Mateusz Rębecki's armbar submission of Roosevelt Roberts, while the early prelims featured a majority draw between Nazim Sadykhov and Viacheslav Borshchev.[1][2] UFC CEO Dana White later announced UFC 295 as the fourth-highest grossing pay-per-view event in company history, underscoring its commercial success amid a card that produced multiple Performance of the Night bonuses for Pereira, Aspinall, Saint Denis, and Lopes, with the Frevola-Saint Denis clash earning Fight of the Night honors.[8][5]Background
Announcement and planning
UFC 295 was officially scheduled for November 11, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking the promotion's return to the iconic venue for its annual major event in the market.[9] The arena, with a capacity of approximately 19,000 for MMA configurations, has hosted UFC cards since 2016, with this installment serving as the seventh such occurrence and underscoring the organization's commitment to delivering high-profile bouts in a key U.S. city known for strong fan attendance and revenue potential.[3][4] The initial main event was announced on July 7, 2023, by UFC President Dana White, featuring heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against former champion Stipe Miocic in a unification bout.[9] This matchup was positioned as a blockbuster to anchor the card, aligning with UFC's approach to pairing established stars for events in revenue-driving locations like New York, where previous shows have consistently generated multimillion-dollar gates.[10] On September 20, 2023, the co-main event was revealed as a light heavyweight title fight between former champion Jiří Procházka and former middleweight champion Alex Pereira for the vacant belt, following the vacating of the title by reigning champion Jamahal Hill due to a ruptured Achilles tendon injury in July 2023.[11] This addition elevated the card to a double-title header, further emphasizing UFC's planning to feature championship implications at Madison Square Garden to boost pay-per-view sales and live attendance in one of its most lucrative markets.Main event changes due to injury
The UFC heavyweight title defense headlining UFC 295 was derailed when champion Jon Jones tore his pectoral tendon off the bone during a training session on October 23, 2023.[12] UFC president Dana White publicly announced the injury and Jones' withdrawal from the November 11 event two days later, noting that surgery would sideline the fighter for about eight months.[12] The scrapped matchup had pitted Jones against former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in what would have been the challenger's first fight since a second-round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 on March 27, 2021, marking a nearly three-year layoff at the time of the planned bout.[13] To fill the void, White revealed that top contenders Tom Aspinall—ranked No. 4 in the division—and No. 2-ranked Sergei Pavlovich would instead compete for the interim heavyweight title, a pivot announced on October 25, 2023.[14] Miocic was fully removed from the UFC 295 lineup, with the promotion confirming intentions to reschedule the Jones-Miocic fight for a major pay-per-view in 2024 once Jones recovered.[15] The replacement elevated what was originally the co-main event slot to the headline, shifting the card from an undisputed title clash to an interim championship battle while sustaining the event's focus on elite heavyweight action.[16]Promotion and hype
Press conferences and media events
The UFC 295 pre-fight press conference took place on November 9, 2023, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring the main event fighters Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka, as well as co-main event participants Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich.[17] The event, moderated by UFC CEO Dana White, highlighted verbal exchanges among the athletes, with Aspinall and Pavlovich engaging in light-hearted banter about their striking power, while Procházka and Pereira maintained a more reserved demeanor focused on their technical preparations.[18] Attendance at the in-person event was limited due to its media-focused format, but the live stream on UFC's platforms drew significant online engagement. Key quotes from the conference underscored the fighters' confidence and strategies. Aspinall expressed assurance in avoiding a prolonged stand-up battle with Pavlovich, stating, "I'm not gonna stand in the middle of the cage and have a shootout with him, I'm not gonna have a d***-measuring competition with him," implying his intent to leverage grappling for a swift resolution.[19] Pereira, addressing Procházka's renowned grappling, emphasized his kickboxing foundation, noting he was prepared for takedowns but preferred to keep the fight standing where his striking excels.[20] Procházka, in turn, discussed his evolution post-injury, promising a more refined version of his aggressive style.[21] Media day on November 8, 2023, featured one-on-one interviews with the headliners, captured in the UFC Embedded series, which highlighted emerging rivalries and personal narratives. Episodes showcased Procházka's recovery from a severe shoulder injury that had forced him to vacate the light heavyweight title in 2022, with him describing the rehabilitation as a mental and physical rebirth.[22] Aspinall and Pavlovich also shared insights into their short-notice preparations, while Pereira reflected on his transition to light heavyweight and the pressure of New York's iconic venue.[23] UFC promotional efforts included cinematic trailers that captured the electric Madison Square Garden atmosphere and the high stakes of the vacant light heavyweight title and interim heavyweight championship bouts.[24] These videos, released in late October 2023, integrated dramatic music and fighter highlights to build global anticipation. The press conference streams alone amassed over 500,000 views on YouTube, contributing to broader media hype that exceeded 1 million combined interactions across platforms.[18]Weigh-ins and final preparations
The official weigh-ins for UFC 295 occurred on November 10, 2023, at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City, where all fighters on the main card successfully made their contracted weights without any misses.[25][26] In the main event for the vacant light heavyweight championship, former champion Jiří Procházka weighed in at 204.2 pounds, while challenger Alex Pereira registered at 204 pounds.[26] The co-main event participants for the interim heavyweight title, Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich, both cleared the 265-pound limit, with Aspinall at 261.6 pounds and Pavlovich at 259.8 pounds.[27] Other main card bouts, including Jessica Andrade versus Mackenzie Dern at strawweight and Roman Dolidze versus Anthony Smith at light heavyweight, proceeded without weight-related issues.[26] Later that evening, the ceremonial weigh-ins took place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, incorporating dramatic fighter entrances and theatrics to energize the crowd ahead of the November 11 event.[1] Faceoffs during this session featured intense staredowns, most notably between Procházka and Pereira, which underscored the high stakes of their title clash and drew significant attention from attendees.[28] No physical altercations or disruptions occurred, maintaining a professional atmosphere throughout the formalities.[26] As part of the pre-fight protocols, all competitors underwent routine medical evaluations at the weigh-ins, confirming their fitness to compete, including clearance for Procházka following his prior injury recovery.[29] These checks ensured compliance with athletic commission standards, allowing the full card to proceed as scheduled.[26]Fight card
Main card matchups
The main card of UFC 295 consisted of five bouts, blending two championship opportunities with compelling clashes between established contenders to attract a broad audience and boost pay-per-view sales at the iconic Madison Square Garden venue.[1] This selection emphasized high stakes in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions while featuring ranked fighters in welterweight, lightweight, and strawweight to showcase divisional depth and potential upsets.[30] The headline attraction pitted former light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka (29-3-1, 1 NC) against Alex Pereira (7-2) for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Procházka, renowned for his relentless aggression and 25 career knockouts, sought to recapture the belt he vacated earlier in 2023 due to a shoulder injury, bringing his chaotic fighting style back to the forefront.[31] Pereira, a former middleweight titleholder with knockout power derived from his kickboxing background, aimed to claim a second divisional crown in the UFC, leveraging his precision striking in a weight class better suited to his frame.[32] This matchup was chosen for its star-driven appeal, pitting two former champions with explosive styles against each other amid the division's instability following Jamahal Hill's injury-forced title relinquishment.[33] In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall (12-3, 1 NC) faced Sergei Pavlovich (17-1) for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship, created due to Jon Jones' ongoing recovery from a torn pectoral muscle. Aspinall, a fast-rising contender with exceptional speed and seven UFC finishes in seven wins, represented the division's next generation, emphasizing his technical striking and grappling transitions.[34] Pavlovich, on an 18-fight unbeaten streak with 15 knockouts, brought raw knockout power and a compact, pressure-heavy approach honed in Russia's combat sports scene.[35] The pairing highlighted contrasting skill sets—quickness versus one-punch devastation—and was selected to deliver a potential title fight while Jones prepared for his return, ensuring heavyweight action remained prominent on the card.[33] The welterweight bout featured undefeated prospect Sean Brady (15-1) against veteran Kelvin Gastelum (18-8, 1 NC), serving as a grappling showcase for the rising Philadelphia native. Brady, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with six submission victories, tested his elite ground control against higher competition following a brief setback.[36] Gastelum, a former middleweight title challenger experienced across multiple weight classes, provided a durable striking test while dropping to welterweight for the first time since 2019.[37] This fight was included to spotlight Brady's potential as a future contender and give Gastelum a path to rebound in a lighter division.[1] At lightweight, Benoit Saint Denis (12-2, 1 NC) met Matt Frevola (11-3-1) in a clash of momentum and resilience. The French special forces veteran Saint Denis, on a four-fight win streak with finishes in three, aimed to build on his aggressive pressure and submission threats against international opposition. Frevola, a New York native with a gritty, volume-based striking game and a prior draw in the division, looked to defend home turf and extend his three-fight winning run.[38] Selected for its contrast between Saint Denis' rising European hype and Frevola's local appeal, the bout added lightweight intrigue without diluting the title focus.[1] Rounding out the card, former strawweight and flyweight champion Jessica Andrade (24-12) took on grappling ace Mackenzie Dern (13-3) in a women's strawweight showdown. Andrade, with 16 UFC wins and knockout power from her bantamweight experience, faced a stylistic challenge from Dern's world-class jiu-jitsu and undefeated submission record in the UFC. Dern, seeking her first UFC win since 2021, brought elite ground control to test Andrade's takedown defense. This matchup was curated to highlight Andrade's veteran status against Dern's technical prowess, appealing to fans of women's divisions and providing a potential ranking shift.[1] Overall, the main card's composition balanced marquee title implications with ranked prospect battles, optimizing excitement and commercial viability for UFC 295's New York audience.[30]Preliminary card matchups
The preliminary card for UFC 295 featured eight compelling bouts across a variety of weight classes, blending veteran experience with emerging talents to highlight the developmental pipeline of the UFC roster and offering fans a broad spectrum of fighting styles.[1] This undercard emphasized fighter growth and fan engagement through matchups that tested skills in striking, grappling, and endurance, contributing to the event's overall balance and appeal. Representation across multiple weight classes—from flyweight to heavyweight and including women's divisions—underscored the card's diversity, drawing in audiences interested in multiple divisions while spotlighting prospects poised for future main card opportunities.[1] In the welterweight division, Randy Brown (16-4) took on Muslim Salikhov (19-4) in a high-stakes striking battle between two seasoned veterans known for their knockout power and technical kickboxing backgrounds.[1] Brown, a lanky Jamaican-American with versatile stand-up skills, met Salikhov, the "King of Kung Fu," who relied on his Sanda roots for dynamic counters, making this a pivotal test for both men's trajectory in the 170-pound class.[39] The women's strawweight matchup saw Virna Jandiroba (19-3) clash with Amanda Lemos (13-2-1), a contest contrasting Jandiroba's elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappling against Lemos's explosive power punching, with the winner eyeing top-5 contention in the division.[1] Jandiroba, undefeated in her last six UFC appearances, aimed to leverage her submission expertise, while Lemos, a former title challenger, sought to reclaim momentum through her striking threat and durability. At heavyweight, Jailton Almeida (19-2), a submission specialist with an unblemished UFC record entering the event, faced Derrick Lewis (27-10), the division's knockout king with 14 UFC finishes by KO/TKO.[1] This developmental bout pitted Almeida's BJJ dominance and wrestling against Lewis's one-punch power, offering a classic grappler vs. striker dynamic that highlighted heavyweight's unpredictable nature and potential for breakout performances. The featherweight division featured Diego Lopes (21-6) against Pat Sabatini (18-5), blending Lopes' finishing ability with Sabatini's grappling prowess in a matchup promising action for the 145-pound ranks.[1] Lopes, on a win streak with multiple UFC finishes, tested his striking and submissions against Sabatini's wrestling control. In the early prelims, the flyweight bout showcased Joshua Van (10-1) versus Kevin Borjas (9-1), two young prospects with high-volume striking and grappling upside in a closely matched affair to accelerate one's rise in the 125-pound class.[1] Van, a Myanmar native with quick hands and takedown defense, met Borjas, a Peruvian talent known for his aggressive pressure. The bantamweight matchup pitted John Castañeda (22-4) against Kang Kyung-ho (20-8), contrasting Castañeda's high-volume striking with Kang's counterpunching savvy, designed to evaluate volume vs. precision in the competitive 135-pound class.[1] Lightweight action included Nazim Sadykhov (10-1-1) versus Viacheslav Borshchev (7-3-1), two aggressive strikers with knockout potential, adding fireworks to the undercard.[1] Finally, Mateusz Rebecki (8-1) faced Roosevelt Roberts (12-3) at lightweight, blending Rebecki's grappling pressure with Roberts' versatile skill set in a bout highlighting emerging European and American talents.[1] Overall, the preliminary card's variety fostered emerging talents while giving veterans opportunities to compete, enhancing the event's narrative depth without overshadowing the main card's marquee stakes.[40]Results
Main card outcomes
The main card of UFC 295 opened with a featherweight bout between Diego Lopes and Pat Sabatini. In the first round, the fight began tentatively with both fighters exchanging strikes at range, but Sabatini landed a right hand that briefly staggered Lopes. During a subsequent takedown attempt by Sabatini, Lopes capitalized on the scramble, rocking his opponent with heavy punches before finishing with ground strikes to secure the knockout victory at 1:30. Next, lightweight contenders Benoit Saint Denis and Matt Frevola clashed in a high-stakes matchup. The first round saw Frevola initiate with takedown pressure, but Saint Denis reversed position effectively and unleashed a devastating head kick that dropped Frevola, followed by punches for the knockout stoppage at 1:31. This quick finish highlighted Saint Denis's striking power and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. The women's strawweight bout featured former champion Jessica Andrade against grappling specialist Mackenzie Dern. Round one was competitive, with Dern landing combinations early, but Andrade turned the tide late by dropping Dern with a powerful strike. In round two, Andrade continued her aggression, dropping Dern multiple times with precise shots before a final right hand prompted the referee stoppage at 3:15 via TKO. Andrade's resilience and striking dominance proved decisive in the back-and-forth affair. The co-main event pitted Sergei Pavlovich against Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight championship. The first round exploded into action immediately, with Aspinall connecting a leg kick early before Pavlovich pressed forward. Aspinall countered brilliantly with a series of punches, culminating in a right hook that dropped Pavlovich, followed by ground strikes for the knockout at 1:09. This dominant performance showcased Aspinall's speed and power, crowning him the new interim champion. In the main event, Alex Pereira faced Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight title. Round one was marked by Pereira's signature calf kicks, which visibly impaired Prochazka's mobility and dropped him midway through, though Prochazka responded with forward pressure and a late takedown attempt. The second round saw Prochazka briefly hurt Pereira with strikes, but Pereira recovered, clinched, and delivered a left hook that floored Prochazka, finishing with elbows and punches at 4:08 for the knockout victory. Pereira thus became a two-division UFC champion in his promotional debut at light heavyweight. UFC 295 drew an announced attendance of 19,039 fans to Madison Square Garden, generating a live gate of $12.4 million, marking it as the second-highest grossing event in the venue's history for UFC. The event was broadcast on ESPN+ pay-per-view, with estimates placing it among the promotion's top-grossing offerings.Preliminary card outcomes
The preliminary card for UFC 295 featured eight competitive bouts, broadcast live on ESPNews and ESPN+, setting the stage for the main event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1] The card opened with featherweight action, where Jamall Emmers secured a quick victory over Dennis Buzukja via TKO (strikes) at 0:49 of the first round, overwhelming his opponent with a flurry of punches against the cage.[41] In the next flyweight matchup, Joshua Van outpointed Kevin Borjas by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), relying on effective striking and takedown defense over three rounds.[41] Catchweight fighter John Castañeda dominated Kyung Ho Kang en route to a unanimous decision win (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), controlling the pace with superior volume and ground control.[41] Lightweight Jared Gordon then delivered a highlight-reel finish, dropping Mark Madsen with a left hook and finishing with ground strikes for a TKO at 4:42 of the first round.[41] Moving to the main prelims, lightweight bout between Nazim Sadykhov and Viacheslav Borshchev ended in a majority draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-28) after a back-and-forth war marked by sharp exchanges and near-finishes.[41] Mateusz Rebecki made a strong UFC debut, forcing Roosevelt Roberts to verbally submit to an armbar at 3:08 of the first round in their lightweight clash.[41] In women's strawweight, Loopy Godinez edged out Tabatha Ricci by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), using her wrestling to neutralize Ricci's grappling attempts in a closely contested fight.[41] The prelims closed with flyweight Steve Erceg defeating Alessandro Costa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), showcasing crisp combinations and movement to secure the win.[41]Post-event
Performance bonuses
At UFC 295, held on November 11, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, seven fighters received $50,000 performance bonuses for their standout efforts, as announced by UFC CEO Dana White during the post-event press conference.[42][43] These awards, part of the UFC's longstanding system to incentivize exciting and dominant performances, totaled $350,000 and highlighted the event's finish-heavy card with multiple knockouts and a notable draw.[42][44] The bonuses consisted of one Fight of the Night award and five Performance of the Night awards. The Fight of the Night went to lightweight prelim fighters Viacheslav Borshchev and Nazim Sadykhov for their intense, back-and-forth three-round majority draw, characterized by high-volume striking exchanges and competitive action that kept fans engaged.[42][45] Performance of the Night honors were awarded to five fighters for their decisive finishes:| Fighter | Opponent | Method and Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | Jiří Procházka | TKO (elbows), Rd. 2, 4:08 | Clinched the vacant light heavyweight title with a highlight-reel knockout in the main event.[41] |
| Tom Aspinall | Sergei Pavlovich | TKO (punches), Rd. 1, 1:09 | Captured the interim heavyweight title with a rapid ground-and-pound stoppage in the co-main event.[42] |
| Benoît Saint Denis | Matt Frevola | KO (knee and punches), Rd. 1, 1:31 | Delivered a stunning first-round knockout upset on the main card.[41] |
| Diego Lopes | Pat Sabatini | KO (flying knee and punches), Rd. 1, 1:30 | Opened the main card with a spectacular 90-second finish.[42] |
| Jessica Andrade | Mackenzie Dern | TKO (ground and pound), Rd. 2, 3:22 | Secured a dominant stoppage in the women's strawweight bout on the main card.[41] |