UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports entertainment |
| Founded | December 19, 2020 |
| Headquarters | Enterprise, Nevada , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal—also referred to as UFC Fight Night 183, UFC on ESPN+ 41, and UFC Vegas 17, was a mixed martial arts event organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 19, 2020. The event took place at the UFC Apex facility located in Enterprise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas metropolitan region.
Background
Initially, a welterweight showdown between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to headline the card. However, this bout was called off after both athletes tested positive for COVID-19, with Edwards suffering from severe symptoms. The UFC intended to reschedule this matchup for early 2021, but Chimaev’s extended recovery postponed his return until UFC 267.
Consequently, the welterweight clash between former title contender Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal, originally the co-main event, was elevated to main event status.
A flyweight contest featuring Matt Schnell versus Tyson Nam was rescheduled following a previous cancellation caused by Schnell’s medical complications related to weight cutting. This fight was eventually moved to UFC on ESPN 20.
The welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady was canceled after Brady withdrew due to a broken nose and Muhammad subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Muhammad was set to face replacement opponent Dhiego Lima, but this fight was ultimately scrapped with plans to reschedule.
In middleweight action, Deron Winn was slated to compete against Antônio Braga Neto, who withdrew for undisclosed reasons. He was replaced by Antônio Arroyo, and the fight was adjusted to a 195-pound catchweight.
A flyweight matchup between Alexandre Pantoja and former Rizin FF Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape was canceled when Pantoja developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Kape served as a backup fighter for the UFC Flyweight Championship bout at UFC 256.
Light heavyweight competitors Misha Cirkunov and Ryan Spann were scheduled to face each other, but Cirkunov pulled out due to injury, resulting in the postponement of their fight.
A flyweight bout between Jimmy Flick and Cody Durden, initially postponed from UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori because of Durden’s conjunctivitis, took place at this event.
Middleweights Karl Roberson and Dalcha Lungiambula experienced multiple cancellations due to Roberson’s COVID-19 related complications, leading to their fight being canceled again shortly before the event.
Former WSOF Featherweight Champion Ricky Glenn was expected to face Carlton Minus but withdrew during fight week. Christos Giagos stepped in as his replacement, with the bout contested at a 160-pound catchweight.
A bantamweight matchup between Aiemann Zahabi and Drako Rodriguez was canceled after Zahabi tested positive for COVID-19.
Bonus awards
The following competitors earned $50,000 bonuses:
- Fight of the Night: No award given.
- Performance of the Night: Stephen Thompson, Rob Font, Marcin Tybura, and Jimmy Flick