UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports entertainment |
| Founded | August 13, 2022 |
| Headquarters | San Diego , United States |
Area served | United States |
UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz, also referred to as UFC on ESPN 41,' was a mixed martial arts event organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 13, 2022. The competition took place at Pechanga Arena located in San Diego, California.
Background
The main event featured a bantamweight clash between Marlon Vera and former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion as well as ex-WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz.
A women's flyweight encounter between Viviane Araújo and Alexa Grasso was planned but ultimately canceled due to visa complications affecting Grasso; this matchup had previously been postponed because of an injury sustained by Araújo.
Yazmin Jauregui competed against Iasmin Lucindo after Istela Nunes withdrew from the bout owing to injury.
The women's flyweight contest between Cynthia Calvillo and Nina Nunes was rescheduled after Nunes became ill on the initially scheduled date.
A flyweight fight involving Malcolm Gordon and Allan Nascimento was called off following Gordon’s injury.
A women's bantamweight matchup featuring Aspen Ladd and former Olympian as well as UFC title contender Sara McMann was postponed due to Ladd testing positive for COVID-19; this fight, originally slated for June 2020, was moved to September.
Youssef Zalal stepped in to face Da'Mon Blackshear after Cristian Quiñonez withdrew because of visa issues.
A welterweight catchweight bout set at 180 pounds between Jason Witt and Josh Quinlan was transferred from an earlier event following an unusual drug test result from Quinlan.
Former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion Ariane Lipski competed against Priscila Cachoeira in a bantamweight bout after several reschedulings caused by Cachoeira’s suspension and Lipski missing weight or failing medical clearance.
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were awarded to fighters as follows:
- Fight of the Night: Nate Landwehr vs. David Onama
- Performance of the Night: Marlon Vera and Tyson Nam
Reported payout
The total disclosed fighter payroll submitted to the California State Athletic Commission amounted to $1,708,000. These amounts do not include sponsorship earnings, discretionary bonuses, or other income sources.
- Marlon Vera: $300,000 ($150,000 win bonus) defeated Dominick Cruz: $175,000
- Nate Landwehr: $60,000 ($30,000 win bonus) defeated David Onama: $24,000
- Yazmin Jauregui: $50,000 ($25,000 win bonus) defeated Iasmin Lucindo: $12,000
- Azamat Murzakanov: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) defeated Devin Clark: $75,000
- Priscila Cachoeira: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus) defeated Ariane Lipski: $40,000
- Gerald Meerschaert: $140,000 ($70,000 win bonus) defeated Bruno Silva: $40,000
- Angela Hill: $190,000 ($95,000 win bonus) defeated Lupita Godinez: $45,000
- Martin Buday: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) defeated Łukasz Brzeski: $10,000
- Nina Nunes: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus) defeated Cynthia Calvillo: $70,000
- Gabriel Benítez: $100,000 ($50,000 win bonus) defeated Charlie Ontiveros: $12,000
- Tyson Nam: $50,000 ($25,000 win bonus) defeated Ode' Osbourne: $28,000
- Josh Quinlan: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) defeated Jason Witt: $23,000
- Da'Mon Blackshear: $12,000 versus Youssef Zalal: $24,000