UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje
UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje, also referred to as UFC on ESPN 2, was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 30, 2019, at the Wells Fargo Center located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Background
This event represented the UFC's third appearance in Philadelphia and its first since the August 2011 event UFC 133.
The main event featured a lightweight clash between Edson Barboza and former WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje.
Originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2, a strawweight matchup between Alexa Grasso and Marina Rodriguez was postponed due to Rodriguez sustaining a hand injury. The bout was rescheduled for this event; however, Grasso later withdrew because of injury and was replaced by Jessica Aguilar, a former WSOF Women's Strawweight Champion.
A bantamweight contest was arranged between Ray Borg, a previous challenger for the UFC Flyweight Championship, and Liu Pingyuan. Liu was replaced by debutant Kyler Phillips, who in turn was substituted by Casey Kenney shortly before the fight.
During the weigh-ins, Borg exceeded the bantamweight limit by 1.75 pounds, incurring a penalty of 20% of his fight purse. Despite this, his matchup with Kenney proceeded at a catchweight.
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were awarded to the following fighters:
- Fight of the Night: Justin Gaethje vs. Edson Barboza
- Performance of the Night: Jack Hermansson and Paul Craig