UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens
Mexico
Main Card • Final
R1, 0:15
United States
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
R3, 5:00
Russia
R3, 5:00
Brazil
R2, 1:31
Performance of the Night
Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
Peru
Canada
R3, 1:56
R3, 5:00
Scotland
R1, 3:19
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
$50k POTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso earned $50,000 each for their action-packed three-round co-main event war.
Performance of the Night: Steven Peterson collected $50,000 for his spectacular second-round spinning back fist knockout over Martin Bravo.
Performance of the Night: Paul Craig secured $50,000 for his slick first-round rear-naked choke submission over Vinicius Moreira.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC | $60,000 | — | — | $60,000 | |
| NC | $67,000 | — | — | $67,000 | |
| WIN | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 | |
| LOSS | $24,000 | — | $50,000 | $74,000 | |
| DRAW | $20,000 | — | — | $20,000 | |
| DRAW | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $35,000 | $35,000 | $3,000* | $73,000 | |
| LOSS | $7,000* | — | — | $7,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | $50,000 | $82,000 | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $14,000 | |
| WIN | $28,000 | $28,000 | — | $56,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $18,000 | — | — | $18,000 | |
| WIN | $40,000 | $40,000 | — | $80,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $35,000 | $35,000 | — | $70,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 | |
| WIN | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $30,000 | $30,000 | — | $60,000 | |
| LOSS | $18,000 | — | — | $18,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 |
*Purses represent estimated baselines based on official UFC contract tiers, as athletic regulators in Mexico do not disclose fighter purse records. Vanessa Melo missed weight at 140 pounds and forfeited 30% of her purse ($3,000) to Irene Aldana. Performance and Fight of the Night bonuses ($50,000 each) are officially verified UFC awards.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens
Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens ended after just 15 seconds due to an accidental eye poke, setting the UFC record for the fastest No Contest in a promotional main event.
Steven Peterson scored only the fourth knockout via spinning back fist in UFC history, catching Martin Bravo while Bravo was simultaneously throwing the same technique.
Brandon Moreno and Askar Askarov fought to an action-packed split draw, recording only the third draw in UFC flyweight divisional history.
Paul Craig tapped Vinicius Moreira via first-round rear-naked choke, extending his record for the most submission victories by a light heavyweight in modern UFC history.
Claudio Puelles dominated Marcos Mariano on the ground for 13 minutes and 20 seconds, earning a rare 30-25 across all three judges’ scorecards.
Carla Esparza landed four takedowns on Alexa Grasso, moving into second place all-time for most takedowns landed in UFC strawweight division history.
Irene Aldana delivered 125 significant strikes across three rounds against Vanessa Melo, setting a career-best output inside the Octagon.
Angela Hill competed in her 12th UFC strawweight contest, tying the promotional record for the most appearances in the women’s 115-pound division.
Kyle Nelson recorded his first career UFC victory in explosive fashion, stopping Polo Reyes via TKO in just 1:36 of the opening round.
Staged at 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level in Mexico City, the event tied the record for the highest-altitude venue in UFC history.
Sergio Pettis earned his ninth career UFC win with a shutout unanimous decision over Tyson Nam, completing his promotional tenure before winning world titles elsewhere.
The sudden 15-second main event stoppage caused a massive crowd disturbance, forcing commentators Brendan Fitzgerald and Michael Bisping to broadcast from beneath their desk.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens take place?
UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens took place on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico.
What happened in the main event between Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens?
The main event was ruled a No Contest at 0:15 of Round 1 after an accidental eye poke from Yair Rodriguez prevented Jeremy Stephens from opening his left eye within the five-minute recovery period.
Why was Rodriguez vs. Stephens declared a No Contest instead of a disqualification?
Under unified mixed martial arts rules, if an unintentional foul occurs before two rounds are completed and a fighter is unable to continue, the bout must be declared a No Contest.
Why did fans throw beer and objects into the Octagon after the main event?
The crowd of 10,112 passionate fans became enraged that the anticipated headliner ended in just 15 seconds, hurling cups, bottles, and food toward the Octagon and broadcast desk.
Who won the post-fight bonuses at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens?
Four fighters earned $50,000 bonuses: Carla Esparza vs. Alexa Grasso (Fight of the Night), while Steven Peterson and Paul Craig received Performance of the Night honors.
Who won the co-main event between Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso?
Former champion Carla Esparza defeated Alexa Grasso via majority decision (28–28, 29–28, 29–28) after surviving a deep armbar attempt in the third round.
What was the result of Brandon Moreno vs. Askar Askarov?
The flyweight clash ended in an entertaining split draw (28–28, 30–27, 28–29), with Moreno scoring a knockdown and Askarov delivering multiple takedowns.
How did Steven Peterson knock out Martin Bravo?
Steven Peterson executed a highlight-reel spinning back fist knockout at 1:31 of Round 2, landing his strike just as Bravo was throwing his own spinning back fist.
Did Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens fight a rematch?
Yes. The UFC re-booked the fight just four weeks later at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston on October 18, 2019, where Yair Rodriguez won via unanimous decision in a Fight of the Night battle.
Who were the commentators and announcer for the event?
The event was called by Brendan Fitzgerald and former middleweight champion Michael Bisping, with Joe Martinez serving as the official Octagon announcer.
How did Paul Craig defeat Vinicius Moreira?
Scotland’s Paul Craig dropped Moreira with strikes and locked in a rear-naked choke at 3:19 of Round 1, picking up a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
What was the official attendance for UFC Fight Night 159?
The event drew an official crowd of 10,112 fans at the Mexico City Arena. The live gate revenue was not publicly disclosed.
Why did Vanessa Melo fight Irene Aldana at a catchweight?
Vanessa Melo took the fight on short notice and weighed in at 140 pounds, four pounds over the bantamweight non-title limit. She was fined 30% of her purse, which went to Aldana.
How dominant was Claudio Puelles against Marcos Mariano?
Claudio Puelles logged 13 minutes and 20 seconds of ground control and four takedowns, earning a dominant 30–25, 30–25, 30–25 shutout unanimous decision.
How did Kyle Nelson get his first UFC win?
Canada’s Kyle Nelson earned his first promotional victory by staggering Marco Polo Reyes with a barrage of power punches for a TKO finish at 1:36 of Round 1.
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