UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw
| Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Enterprise, Nevada , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Website | www |
UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw—also referred to as UFC on ESPN 27 and UFC Vegas 32'—was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It occurred on July 24, 2021, at the UFC Apex facility located in Enterprise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area.
Background
This event was notable for being the inaugural UFC occasion allowing spectators at the UFC Apex, with 51 exclusive VIP premium tickets sold, each priced at $2,000. These VIP offerings were subsequently made available at future events.
The headline bout featured a bantamweight clash between former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw and contender Cory Sandhagen. This match marked Dillashaw’s comeback following a two-year suspension after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), which had resulted in him relinquishing his title. Originally, this fight was planned for an earlier date but was postponed due to an injury Dillashaw sustained from a headbutt.
A bantamweight contest initially set between Raphael Assunção and Kyler Phillips underwent modification when Assunção withdrew because of a biceps injury; he was substituted by Raulian Paiva.
Sijara Eubanks competed against promotional newcomer Elise Reed, after a previously arranged bout with Priscila Cachoeira failed to materialize.
Several bantamweight matchups involving Trevin Jones, Tony Kelley, and Aaron Phillips experienced multiple adjustments: Kelley pulled out, Else was removed from the card, and Phillips was scheduled to face Jones but later withdrew. Consequently, Jones was rescheduled to fight Ronnie Lawrence at a later event.
A heavyweight bout between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Chris Daukaus was canceled due to COVID-19 safety protocols affecting Abdurakhimov’s team. This matchup had already been postponed twice before eventually taking place at UFC 266.
A women’s bantamweight fight featuring Aspen Ladd and Macy Chiasson, who won The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters featherweight division, was called off during fight week because Chiasson suffered a foot stress fracture.
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were awarded to:
- Fight of the Night: Raulian Paiva vs. Kyler Phillips
- Performance of the Night: Darren Elkins and Adrian Yañez