UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold
Australia
Main Card • Final
Cuba
R3, 1:48
Interim Title Bout*
United States
R3, 5:00
New Zealand
R1, 2:18
France
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
China
R1, 3:54
Russia
Prelims • Final
South Korea
R3, 5:00
Nigeria
R2, 3:37
Performance of the Night
R2, 4:57
Canada
Brazil
R3, 1:43
Performance of the Night
Early Prelims • Final
England
R3, 5:00
Japan
Mexico
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
Interim Title Fight*
$50k FOTN
$50k POTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Jake Matthews and Li Jingliang each took home $50,000 for their dramatic, back-and-forth welterweight clash on the main card.
Performance of the Night: Promotional newcomer Israel Adesanya collected $50,000 for his second-round stoppage of Rob Wilkinson, while Jussier Formiga secured $50,000 for his slick third-round rear-naked choke over Ben Nguyen.
Ineligibility Note: Yoel Romero was ineligible to receive post-fight performance bonuses after weighing in 2.7 pounds above the middleweight championship limit.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOSS | $750,000 | — | — | $765,000 | |
| LOSS | $455,000 | — | — | $485,000 | |
| WIN | $245,000 | — | — | $255,000 | |
| WIN | $43,000 | $43,000 | $50,000 | $146,000 | |
| WIN | $54,000 | $54,000 | — | $128,000 | |
| WIN | $24,000 | $24,000 | $50,000 | $103,000 | |
| LOSS | $29,000 | — | $50,000 | $84,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 | $73,500 | |
| WIN | $23,000 | $23,000 | — | $51,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | — | $37,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | — | $37,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | — | $37,000 | |
| WIN | $14,000 | $14,000 | — | $33,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $27,500 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $27,500 | |
| LOSS | $22,000 | — | — | $27,000 | |
| LOSS | $18,000 | — | — | $23,000 | |
| LOSS | $18,000 | — | — | $23,000 | |
| LOSS | $18,000 | — | — | $23,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $17,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $17,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $15,500 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $13,500 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | — | $13,500 |
*Purses are compiled from disclosed reports, regulatory filings, and industry sources. Since the Western Australian Combat Sports Commission does not publicly publish exact purse totals, reported base salaries reflect contractual estimates. Yoel Romero forfeited 30% of his original $350,000 purse ($105,000) to Luke Rockhold after missing weight. Estimated totals also include official UFC Fight Night performance bonuses ($50,000 each) and UFC Athlete Outfitting pay (Reebok).
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC 221
UFC 221 generated a staggering live gate of $2,810,520 (AUD $3.6 million), breaking the all-time gross ticketing revenue record for any sporting event in Perth Arena history.
UFC 221 stood as the premier combat sports card held in Perth following Western Australia’s official legislative lifting of its long-standing cage-fighting ban in early 2017.
Future two-time undisputed UFC middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya launched his storied Octagon tenure with an explosive second-round TKO over Rob Wilkinson, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus.
Yoel Romero captured his sixth career third-round stoppage inside the Octagon, the most third-round knockout finishes in modern UFC middleweight division history.
Because Yoel Romero missed weight at 187.7 lbs, his knockout victory left the interim middleweight belt vacant, marking a rare championship headliner that produced no crowned titlist.
Curtis Blaydes completed 10 takedowns against fan favorite Mark Hunt, setting the all-time UFC heavyweight record for most takedowns scored in a single bout on Australian soil.
Sydney heavyweight Tai Tuivasa battered Cyril Asker in 2:18, extending his remarkable professional MMA record to 8-0 with all eight victories coming by way of first-round knockout.
Alexander Volkanovski handed previously undefeated Canadian prospect Jeremy Kennedy his first professional loss via second-round TKO, extending his personal winning streak to 14.
Jussier Formiga secured his third career submission victory inside the Octagon via technical rear-naked choke against Ben Nguyen, tying him for 2nd all-time in UFC flyweight history.
To accommodate Saturday evening primetime viewing in North America, preliminary bouts commenced at 7:30 AM local Australian Western Standard Time (AWST), marking one of the earliest live start times in UFC history.
Former Bellator color analyst Jimmy Smith made his official Octagon commentary debut, partnering cage-side alongside play-by-play voice Jon Anik.
Jake Matthews and Li Jingliang produced an unforgettable blood-and-guts scrap that earned Fight of the Night honors, despite an infamous second-round eye-gouge controversy that sparked league-wide scrutiny.
When and where did UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold take place?
UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold took place on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the Perth Arena in Perth, Western Australia, Australia (broadcasting live in North America on Saturday evening, February 10, 2018).
Who won the main event between Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold?
Yoel Romero defeated Luke Rockhold via KO (punches) at 1:48 of Round 3 after dropping Rockhold with a thunderous overhand left and finishing with an uppercut on the ground.
Why was Yoel Romero not awarded the Interim Middleweight Championship after winning?
Romero weighed in at 187.7 lbs (2.7 pounds over the 185-pound championship limit), rendering him ineligible to win the title. Because Rockhold lost, the interim UFC Middleweight Championship remained vacant.
What happened to the original UFC 221 main event featuring Robert Whittaker?
Undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker was originally scheduled to defend his title against Luke Rockhold in his home country, but was forced to withdraw on January 13, 2018, due to a severe staph infection and chickenpox. Romero stepped in on short notice to create the interim bout.
Did Israel Adesanya make his UFC debut at UFC 221?
Yes. Future two-time undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya made his promotional debut at UFC 221, stopping Rob Wilkinson via TKO (knees and punches) at 3:37 of Round 2 and earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.
Who won the co-main event between Curtis Blaydes and Mark Hunt?
Curtis Blaydes defeated Mark Hunt via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–26, 29–27), surviving early power punches from Hunt before utilizing 10 takedowns to dominate the final two rounds.
Who won the post-fight bonuses at UFC 221?
Four fighters received $50,000 bonus checks: Jake Matthews vs. Li Jingliang earned Fight of the Night, while Israel Adesanya and Jussier Formiga were awarded Performance of the Night honors.
What was the controversy during the Jake Matthews vs. Li Jingliang fight?
During a deep second-round guillotine choke attempt by Matthews, Li Jingliang blatantly gouged Matthews’ eyes to escape the submission. Despite the visible foul, referee James Allen did not deduct a point, and Matthews battled through bloody eye damage to win a unanimous decision.
How did Alexander Volkanovski perform against Jeremy Kennedy?
Future featherweight pound-for-pound champion Alexander Volkanovski dominated unbeaten Canadian Jeremy Kennedy, landing 73 significant ground strikes before securing a TKO finish at 4:57 of Round 2.
How did Tai Tuivasa win his fight at UFC 221?
Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa blitzed French contender Cyril Asker against the cage, finishing him with vicious elbows and punches for a first-round TKO at 2:18.
What was the attendance and live gate for UFC 221?
UFC 221 drew an official attendance of 12,437 fans, generating a live gate of $2,810,520 (AUD $3.6 million), making it the highest-grossing sporting event ever held in Perth Arena.
Why did UFC 221 start on Sunday morning in Australia?
The card was staged on Sunday morning in Western Australia (prelims kicking off at 7:30 AM AWST) so that the live Pay-Per-View telecast could air during the lucrative Saturday evening primetime slot (10:00 PM EST) in the United States.
Who called the broadcast for UFC 221?
The English-language pay-per-view telecast was called cage-side by play-by-play lead Jon Anik alongside color analyst Jimmy Smith in his UFC promotional debut, with Bruce Buffer announcing inside the Octagon.
How did Jussier Formiga finish Ben Nguyen?
Formiga landed a spinning backfist to drop Nguyen in the third round before transitioning directly to the back and locking in a tight rear-naked choke to render Nguyen unconscious at 1:43 of Round 3.
Why was UFC 221 a milestone for combat sports in Western Australia?
Western Australia had banned fenced combat enclosures until early 2017. UFC 221 was the very first UFC event hosted in the state of Western Australia following the legalization of cage fighting.
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