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UFC 97

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
UFC 97: Redemption
The poster for UFC 97: Redemption
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateApril 18, 2009
VenueBell Centre
CityMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Attendance21,451
Total gate$4,900,000
Buyrate650,000[1]
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann UFC 97: Redemption UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida

UFC 97: Redemption (not to be confused with UFC 17: Redemption) was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on April 18, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Background

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This event broke the UFC attendance record that was set 364 days earlier in Montreal at UFC 83.[2]

Due to time constraints, the preliminary bout between Sam Stout and Matt Wiman was moved to the main card, resulting in a six-fight live main card.

Sanctioning and rules controversy

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On February 12, 2009, reports surfaced that province regulators ("Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux", or RACJ) requested a set of rule changes that differ from the Unified Rules of MMA put the event at risk from taking place.[3] The proposed rule changes banned elbow and knee strikes, mandated a smaller cage, and would stop a fight when a fighter gets knocked down.[3][4] Before, the RACJ has followed the Unified Rules, but as laws differ by city, state, or province, a commission can insist on the usage of its own rules.[5]

On February 18, 2009, it was announced that UFC officials were able to convince the RACJ to reverse its stand and use the Unified Rules. As a concession, the UFC agreed to the banning of foot stomps for this event.[6]

Results

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Main card (PPV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Anderson Silva (c) def. Thales Leites Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 50–46) 5 5:00 [a]
Lightweight Sam Stout def. Matt Wiman Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Maurício Rua def. Chuck Liddell TKO (punches) 1 4:28
Light Heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski def. Brian Stann Submission (kimura) 1 3:53
Heavyweight Cheick Kongo def. Antoni Hardonk TKO (punches) 2 2:29
Light Heavyweight Luiz Cane def. Steve Cantwell Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Preliminary card
Middleweight Denis Kang def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Nate Quarry def. Jason MacDonald TKO (elbows) 1 2:27
Middleweight Ed Herman def. David Loiseau Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Catchweight (157) Mark Bocek def. David Bielkheden Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 4:57 [b]
Welterweight T. J. Grant def. Ryo Chonan Decision (split) (30–27, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Eliot Marshall def. Vinny Magalhães Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
  1. ^ For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
  2. ^ Bielkheden did not make the 156 pound lightweight limit, weighing in at 157 pounds.

Bonus awards

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Fighters were awarded $70,000 bonuses.[7]

  • Fight of the Night: Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman
  • Knockout of the Night: Maurício Rua
  • Submission of the Night: Krzysztof Soszynski

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2010-02-15). "UFC remains king of PPV hill". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  2. ^ "UFC 97: Redemption". tapology.com. Retrieved 2014-12-03.
  3. ^ a b Pishna, Ken (February 12, 2009). "Possible Rule Changes Put UFC 97 in Jeopardy". MMAWeekly.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  4. ^ "Possible Quebec Athletic Commission rule changes puts UFC 97 in jeopardy". FightTrend.com. February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009. [dead link]
  5. ^ "UFC's Montreal in jeopardy?". Sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  6. ^ Holland, Jesse (February 18, 2009). "UFC 97 to remain in Montreal on April 18". MMAmania.com. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
  7. ^ "UFC 97 bonuses: Rua, Soszynski, Stout and Wiman each earn $70K awards". MMAjunkie.com. April 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2009.