UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | May 30, 2020 |
| Headquarters | Enterprise, Nevada , United States |
Area served | Las Vegas metropolitan area |
| Parent | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns—also referred to as UFC on ESPN 9 and UFC Vegas'—was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 30, 2020. The event took place at the UFC Apex facility located in Enterprise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas metropolitan region.
Background
Initially planned for May 23, the event was rescheduled to May 30 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. UFC president Dana White intended to host the event in Las Vegas but considered relocating to Arizona if Nevada’s regulatory constraints posed obstacles. On May 20, White announced that the UFC Apex would serve as the venue despite lacking initial approval from the NSAC, which was subsequently granted on May 27.
The headline bout featured a welterweight clash between former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns, with confirmation on May 22 that it would air on ESPN. The fight card incorporated athletes from previously canceled matchups, including:
- A heavyweight contest between former WSOF Heavyweight Champion Blagoy Ivanov and Augusto Sakai, originally slated for UFC 249.
- A women's strawweight matchup between Mackenzie Dern and Hannah Cifers, postponed from an April event that was canceled.
On May 26, due to injury, Kevin Holland withdrew from his scheduled welterweight fight against Daniel Rodriguez, with promotional newcomer Gabriel Green stepping in as his replacement.
During the weigh-ins, Brok Weaver exceeded the lightweight limit by 1.5 pounds and was penalized 20% of his fight purse, which was awarded to his opponent Roosevelt Roberts. Their bout proceeded at a catchweight.
Results
Bonus awards
Each awarded fighter received a $50,000 bonus:
- Fight of the Night: Brandon Royval vs. Tim Elliott
- Performance of the Night: Gilbert Burns and Mackenzie Dern
Reported payout
The total disclosed fighter payroll amounted to $1,157,000. These figures reported to the NSAC do not include sponsorship earnings or additional discretionary bonuses from the UFC:
- Gilbert Burns: $164,000 (including an $84,000 victory bonus) defeated Tyron Woodley: $200,000
- Augusto Sakai: $100,000 (including a $50,000 win bonus) defeated Blagoy Ivanov: $60,000
- Billy Quarantillo: $24,000 (including a $12,000 win bonus) defeated Spike Carlyle: $12,000
- Roosevelt Roberts: $46,400 (including a $22,000 win bonus) defeated Brok Weaver: $9,600 ^
- Mackenzie Dern: $66,000 (including a $33,000 win bonus) defeated Hannah Cifers: $25,000
- Katlyn Chookagian: $120,000 (including a $60,000 win bonus) defeated Antonina Shevchenko: $35,000
- Daniel Rodriguez: $24,000 (including a $12,000 win bonus) defeated Gabriel Green: $12,000
- Jamahal Hill: $24,000 (including a $12,000 win bonus) defeated Klidson Abreu: $18,000
- Brandon Royval: $24,000 (including a $12,000 win bonus) defeated Tim Elliott: $31,000
- Casey Kenney: $54,000 (including a $27,000 win bonus) defeated Louis Smolka: $48,000
- Chris Gutiérrez: $40,000 (including a $20,000 win bonus) defeated Vince Morales: $20,000
^ Weaver was penalized 20% ($2,400) of his purse for failing to make weight; this amount was awarded to Roberts.
Aftermath
On August 5, the NSAC imposed provisional suspensions on Jamahal Hill and Tim Elliott following positive marijuana results from their pre-fight drug screenings. Subsequently, on September 3, Hill's win was changed to a no contest; he was handed a six-month suspension along with a penalty of 15% of his fight earnings. Elliott faced a suspension lasting four and a half months and was also fined 15%, with his suspension shortened due to the short notice of his bout.