UFC 299
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | March 9, 2024 |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida , United States |
UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 was a mixed martial arts spectacle organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 9, 2024, hosted at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, United States.
Background
This event represented the UFC's third appearance in Miami and its first return since UFC 287 held in April 2023.
The main event showcased a rematch for the UFC Bantamweight Championship between reigning titleholder Sean O'Malley and challenger Marlon Vera. Their prior encounter ended with Vera securing a first-round TKO victory at UFC 252. Merab Dvalishvili was designated as the official backup fighter for this matchup.
Serving as the co-headliner was a five-round lightweight contest featuring former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier against Benoît Saint Denis. Although contract complications briefly jeopardized this fight, it was ultimately reinstated following resolution.
A heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida was rescheduled to this card after Blaydes had to pull out from their originally planned November 2023 meeting.
The welterweight bout initially arranged between Ian Machado Garry and Geoff Neal was postponed to UFC 298 due to undisclosed circumstances.
Lauren Murphy, former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion and past UFC Women's Flyweight title contender, was set to compete against Karine Silva but withdrew because of injury. Subsequently, Silva was matched up with former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion Ariane Lipski at UFC on ESPN 55.
A light heavyweight fight between Ion Cuțelaba and 2018 PFL Heavyweight tournament victor Philipe Lins took place after being delayed from October 2023 following Lins' withdrawal.
At the official weigh-ins, C.J. Vergara exceeded the flyweight limit by one pound; his bout continued at catchweight with Vergara forfeiting 30% of his purse to opponent Asu Almabayev as a penalty.
During the broadcast, it was revealed that former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk would be inducted as the next "modern wing" member into the UFC Hall of Fame, with the ceremony scheduled for June’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were awarded as follows:
- Fight of the Night: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoît Saint Denis
- Performance of the Night: Sean O’Malley, Jack Della Maddalena, Curtis Blaydes, Michel Pereira, Robelis Despaigne