UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington
Brazil
Main Card • Final
R5, 2:36
Title Fight
United States
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
R1, 2:27
R3, 3:43
R2, 1:00
Performance of the Night
Prelims • Final
R1, 4:45
Russia
R1, 1:45
Performance of the Night
R1, 4:15
Germany
R1, 3:40
Early Prelims • Final
R2, 5:00
Norway
R3, 2:10
R3, 5:00
R1, 4:28
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Kelvin Gastelum and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza earned $50,000 each for their back-and-forth middleweight war, which Gastelum won by razor-thin split decision.
Performance of the Night: Lyoto Machida earned $50,000 for his iconic jumping front-kick knockout over former champion Vitor Belfort in the second round.
Performance of the Night: Aleksei Oleinik earned $50,000 for securing the second Ezekiel choke submission in UFC history against Júnior Albini.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| LOSS | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Purses for UFC 224 were not publicly disclosed by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA). Disclosed figures reflect officially confirmed post-fight performance bonuses ($50,000 each). Mackenzie Dern weighed in at 123 pounds (7 pounds over the strawweight limit) and was fined 30% of her fight purse, which was forfeited to Amanda Cooper.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC 224
UFC 224 featured 11 stoppages in 13 bouts (84.6%), tying the all-time modern UFC record for the most finishes on a single fight card alongside UFC Fight Night 55 and UFC 281.
Lyoto Machida became the only fighter in UFC history to record two knockouts via crane/front kick, stopping Vitor Belfort in round 2 (following his iconic UFC 129 finish of Randy Couture).
Aleksei Oleinik submitted Júnior Albini via Ezekiel choke in round 1, remaining the only athlete in UFC history to execute the rare submission, doing so for a historic second time.
Amanda Nunes secured her third consecutive undisputed women’s bantamweight championship defense, finishing Raquel Pennington via fifth-round TKO.
Former light heavyweight champion and UFC 12 tournament winner Vitor Belfort made his final promotional walk, concluding a legendary UFC career spanning over 21 years.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos scored one of the few spinning wheel kick knockouts in UFC welterweight history, stopping future middleweight champion Sean Strickland in round 1.
The card featured six first-round finishes (Machida, Dern, Ferreira, Oleinik, Ramos, Perez), marking one of the fastest and most finish-heavy events in promotional history.
Mackenzie Dern overcame a controversial 7-pound weight miss to drop Amanda Cooper with an overhand right and secure a rear-naked choke submission in just 2:27 of round 1.
ADCC champion Davi Ramos secured his second straight first-round rear-naked choke inside the Octagon, tapping out judo Olympian Nick Hein at 4:15 of round 1.
Jack Hermansson suffered a fractured rib in the opening frame but rallied through extreme adversity to mount and finish former title challenger Thales Leites via TKO in round 3.
Cezar Ferreira registered a rare technical submission, rendering Karl Roberson unconscious with an arm-triangle choke at 4:45 of round 1.
John Lineker landed 102 significant strikes and scored two knockdowns over Brian Kelleher, finishing the bout with a thunderous walk-off left hook in round 3.
When and where did UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington take place?
UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington took place on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Who won the main event between Amanda Nunes and Raquel Pennington?
Amanda Nunes defeated Raquel Pennington via TKO (punches) at 2:36 of Round 5 to successfully defend her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship for the third time.
Who won the co-main event between Kelvin Gastelum and Ronaldo Souza?
Kelvin Gastelum defeated Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in an action-packed co-main event that earned Fight of the Night honors.
Who won the post-fight bonuses at UFC 224?
Four fighters earned $50,000 bonuses: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Ronaldo Souza took home Fight of the Night, while Lyoto Machida and Aleksei Oleinik claimed Performance of the Night honors.
Did UFC 224 set a promotional record for total finishes?
Yes. UFC 224 featured 11 finishes out of 13 bouts, tying the all-time modern UFC record for the most stoppage finishes on a single fight card.
How did Lyoto Machida knock out Vitor Belfort?
Lyoto Machida landed a spectacular jumping crane/front kick directly to Vitor Belfort’s chin at 1:00 of Round 2, winning via knockout in what was Belfort’s retirement fight.
What submission did Aleksei Oleinik use at UFC 224?
Aleksei Oleinik submitted Júnior Albini using his signature Ezekiel choke from bottom position at 1:45 of Round 1, marking only the second Ezekiel choke submission in UFC history (both belonging to Oleinik).
Why was Mackenzie Dern’s fight against Amanda Cooper at catchweight?
Mackenzie Dern weighed in at 123 pounds, seven pounds over the strawweight limit. The fight proceeded at catchweight, and Dern was fined 30% of her purse before winning via first-round rear-naked choke.
How did Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos defeat Sean Strickland?
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos landed a stunning spinning wheel kick that dropped Sean Strickland, finishing the fight with follow-up punches at 3:40 of Round 1.
What was the attendance for UFC 224?
UFC 224 drew an announced attendance of 10,696 spectators at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
How did John Lineker defeat Brian Kelleher at UFC 224?
John Lineker engaged in a high-octane brawl, landing over 100 significant strikes before knocking out Brian Kelleher with a devastating left hook at 3:43 of Round 3.
What injury did Jack Hermansson suffer during his fight with Thales Leites?
Hermansson suffered a severely fractured rib in Round 1, but fought through intense pain to secure a takedown and finish Thales Leites via TKO from full mount at 2:10 of Round 3.
What was the corner controversy between the fourth and fifth rounds in the main event?
Raquel Pennington told her coaches “I’m done” after Round 4 due to a broken nose, but her corner encouraged her to continue into Round 5, where Amanda Nunes finished her via TKO.
Who called the fights for the UFC 224 broadcast?
The event was called by lead play-by-play announcer Jon Anik alongside color analyst Jimmy Smith, with Bruce Buffer announcing inside the Octagon.
Did Vitor Belfort retire after UFC 224?
Yes. Following his knockout loss to Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort laid his gloves down in the center of the Octagon, announcing his retirement from professional mixed martial arts.