UFC 97
| Company type | Event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | 2009-04-18 |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
Area served | Mixed martial arts fans |
| Parent | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
UFC 97: Redemption was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on April 18, 2009, taking place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Background
This event established a new record for UFC attendance, exceeding the previous benchmark set at UFC 83, which had also been held in Montreal less than one year prior.
Owing to scheduling limitations, the preliminary fight featuring Sam Stout versus Matt Wiman was elevated to the main card, resulting in six bouts being broadcast live.
Sanctioning and rules controversy
In February 2009, the Quebec regulatory body ("Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux", RACJ) proposed modifications to the rules that deviated from the Unified Rules of MMA, putting the event’s authorization at risk. These suggested alterations included prohibiting elbow and knee strikes, requiring a smaller fighting cage, and stopping matches when a competitor was knocked down. Although RACJ had previously adhered to the Unified Rules, local legislation permitted certain variations.
By mid-February, UFC representatives reached an agreement with RACJ allowing the use of the Unified Rules for UFC 97. As part of this compromise, foot stomps were prohibited exclusively for this event.
Bonus awards
An amount of $70,000 was awarded to fighters who delivered exceptional performances:
- Fight of the Night: Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman
- Knockout of the Night: Maurício Rua
- Submission of the Night: Krzysztof Soszynski