UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales
United States
Main Card • Final
Ecuador
R1, 3:39
Performance of the Night
Brazil
R3, 5:00
Nigeria
Uzbekistan
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
Prelims • Final
R2, 3:43
R1, 3:37
Cuba
R1, 2:54
R2, 4:59
R2, 0:30
Performance of the Night
South Korea
R1, 2:26
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Melquizael Costa and Julian Erosa each earned $50,000 for their relentless three-round featherweight war, combining for 171 significant strikes.
Performance of the Night: Michael Morales received $50,000 for his explosive first-round knockout over former title challenger Gilbert Burns.
Performance of the Night: Denise Gomes captured $50,000 for her thunderous 30-second second-round TKO victory over Elise Reed.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $85,000 | $85,000 | $50,000 | $220,000 | |
| LOSS | $200,000 | — | — | $200,000 | |
| WIN | $24,000 | $24,000 | — | $48,000 | |
| LOSS | $65,000 | — | — | $65,000 | |
| WIN | $42,000 | $42,000 | — | $84,000 | |
| LOSS | $38,000 | — | — | $38,000 | |
| WIN | $32,000 | $32,000 | $50,000 | $114,000 | |
| LOSS | $68,000 | — | $50,000 | $118,000 | |
| WIN | $26,000 | $26,000 | — | $52,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $62,000 | $62,000 | — | $124,000 | |
| LOSS | $45,000 | — | — | $45,000 | |
| WIN | $14,000 | $14,000 | — | $28,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $30,000 | $30,000 | — | $60,000 | |
| LOSS | $16,000 | — | — | $16,000 | |
| WIN | $36,000 | $36,000 | $50,000 | $122,000 | |
| LOSS | $28,000 | — | — | $28,000 | |
| WIN | $20,000 | $20,000 | — | $40,000 | |
| LOSS | $24,000 | — | — | $24,000 | |
| WIN | $55,000 | $55,000 | — | $110,000 | |
| LOSS | $34,000 | — | — | $34,000 |
*Purses and payout figures are estimated based on previous Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) disclosed payouts, contract structures, and confirmed promotional bonus awards ($50,000 each).
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales
Ecuadorian standout Michael Morales preserved his unblemished professional record, moving to 19-0 (6-0 UFC) with a first-round TKO over former title challenger Gilbert Burns.
Michael Morales became the first fighter representing Ecuador to headline a UFC event and secure a first-round knockout victory in promotional history.
Melquizael Costa and Julian Erosa traded 171 combined significant strikes over 15 minutes of non-stop action, earning Fight of the Night honors.
Denise Gomes notched her 4th knockout stoppage in the UFC strawweight division, stopping Elise Reed in just 30 seconds of Round 2 to tie for the second-most finishes in division history.
Jared Gordon recorded his 21st career professional victory, halting grappling ace Thiago Moisés with a thunderous punch knockout at 3:37 of Round 1.
TUF 32 winner Mairon Santos made a successful lightweight transition, upsetting perennial top contender Sodiq Yusuff via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Luana Santos locked in a keylock submission against Tainara Lisboa at 4:59 of Round 2, marking only the fourth keylock finish in UFC women’s bantamweight history.
Nursulton Ruziboev utilized his length and striking to outpoint Dustin Stoltzfus, claiming his 37th career mixed martial arts victory via unanimous decision.
Cuban standout Yadier del Valle improved his professional record to 11-1-0 by executing a clean rear-naked choke over Connor Matthews in 2:54 of Round 1.
South Korea’s HyunSung Park secured his 10th career victory with an emphatic first-round rear-naked choke over Carlos Hernandez at 2:26 of the opening frame.
Tecia Pennington earned her 10th career victory in the UFC strawweight division by defeating Luana Pinheiro via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).
A scheduled light heavyweight co-main event between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato was scratched mid-broadcast after Bellato was deemed medically unfit by regulatory officials.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales take place?
UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales (also known as UFC Vegas 106 / UFC on ESPN+ 114) took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who won the main event between Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales?
Michael Morales defeated former title challenger Gilbert Burns via TKO (punches) at 3:39 of Round 1, preserving his undefeated professional record.
Why was the co-main event between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato cancelled?
The light heavyweight co-main event was cancelled during the live broadcast after Rodolfo Bellato was ruled medically ineligible by athletic commission doctors due to an active skin infection.
Who won the post-fight bonuses at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales?
Four fighters received $50,000 performance checks: Melquizael Costa vs. Julian Erosa earned Fight of the Night, while Michael Morales and Denise Gomes secured Performance of the Night.
What is Michael Morales’ mixed martial arts record after this event?
With his first-round stoppage over Gilbert Burns, Michael Morales improved his unblemished professional record to 19-0 (6-0 in the UFC).
How did Denise Gomes defeat Elise Reed?
Denise Gomes blitzed Elise Reed early in the second frame, dropping her and securing a TKO (punches) at 0:30 of Round 2 to take home a $50,000 bonus.
Who won the Fight of the Night clash between Melquizael Costa and Julian Erosa?
Melquizael Costa defeated Julian Erosa via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) in a three-round featherweight barnburner that saw Costa land 102 significant strikes.
How did Jared Gordon defeat Thiago Moisés?
Jared Gordon caught Thiago Moisés with a crisp right punch, finishing the bout via KO (punches) at 3:37 of Round 1.
How did Luana Santos finish Tainara Lisboa?
Luana Santos secured a rare keylock submission at 4:59 of Round 2, forcing Tainara Lisboa to tap out with just one second remaining in the frame.
Who won the lightweight bout between Mairon Santos and Sodiq Yusuff?
Mairon Santos defeated ranked veteran Sodiq Yusuff via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) in the co-main event.
What was the result of Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus?
Nursulton Ruziboev defeated Dustin Stoltzfus via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) in a three-round middleweight showcase.
How did Yadier del Valle defeat Connor Matthews?
Undefeated Cuban featherweight Yadier del Valle submitted Connor Matthews with a rear-naked choke at 2:54 of Round 1.
Who were the commentators and announcer for this event?
The event was called by lead commentator Brendan Fitzgerald alongside color analysts Dominick Cruz and Paul Felder, with Joe Martinez serving as the cage announcer.
Where was UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales broadcast?
In the United States, the entire main card streamed exclusively on ESPN+, while preliminary bouts aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
How many fights took place on the card?
Following the mid-card cancellation of Craig vs. Bellato, the event featured a total of 11 completed bouts (4 main card fights and 7 preliminary bouts).
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