UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee
United States
Main Card • Final
R5, 2:18
Brazil
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
R1, 2:30
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
Wales
New Zealand
R1, 3:00
Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
Canada
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
Georgia
Afghanistan
R2, 2:40
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
Early Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
Japan
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Ricky Simón and Merab Dvalishvili each earned $50,000 for their dramatic, breathless bantamweight battle that concluded with a controversial technical submission at the final horn (5:00 of Round 3).
Performance of the Night: David Branch received a $50,000 bonus for his stunning first-round knockout over feared power-puncher Thiago Santos in just 2:30.
Performance of the Night: Siyar Bahadurzada secured a $50,000 bonus for delivering a highlight-reel liver kick and follow-up punch knockout against Luan Chagas at 2:40 of Round 2.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $84,000 | $84,000 | — | $151,200* | |
| LOSS | $75,000 | — | — | $91,800* | |
| WIN | $195,000 | $195,000 | — | $390,000 | |
| LOSS | $90,000 | — | — | $90,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | — | $32,000 | |
| LOSS | $18,000 | — | — | $18,000 | |
| WIN | $55,000 | $55,000 | $50,000 | $160,000 | |
| LOSS | $48,000 | — | — | $48,000 | |
| WIN | $36,000 | $36,000 | — | $72,000 | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $14,000 | |
| WIN | $30,000 | $30,000 | — | $60,000 | |
| LOSS | $71,000 | — | — | $71,000 | |
| WIN | $33,000 | $33,000 | — | $66,000 | |
| LOSS | $31,000 | — | — | $31,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 | |
| LOSS | $10,000 | — | $50,000 | $60,000 | |
| WIN | $26,000 | $26,000 | $50,000 | $102,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $52,000 | $52,000 | — | $104,000 | |
| LOSS | $38,000 | — | — | $38,000 | |
| WIN | $31,000 | $31,000 | — | $62,000 | |
| LOSS | $19,000 | — | — | $19,000 |
*Purses are estimates compiled from established fighter contract rates and official post-fight performance bonuses ($50,000 each). The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB) does not publicly release disclosed fighter purse figures. Kevin Lee weighed in at 157 lbs (1 lb over the lightweight non-title limit) and was fined 20% of his purse, which was awarded directly to Edson Barboza.
Historic UFC Records & Milestones Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee
Corey Anderson completed 12 takedowns against Patrick Cummins, establishing the all-time single-fight takedown record in UFC light heavyweight division history.
Ricky Simón’s guillotine choke finish over Merab Dvalishvili at 5:00 of Round 3 stands as the latest stoppage victory ever recorded in a three-round fight in UFC history.
Kevin Lee compiled 15 minutes and 1 second of ground control time across five rounds, among the highest control times recorded in a modern lightweight headliner.
UFC Fight Night 128 marked the promotion’s ninth overall event in Atlantic City and its first visit to historic Boardwalk Hall since UFC 53 in June 2005.
Returning to competition only 49 days after suffering his first career stoppage loss, Frankie Edgar completed a clean 30-27 sweep on all scorecards in his co-main rematch with Cub Swanson.
Dan Hooker notched his third consecutive knockout victory since moving up to lightweight, finishing veteran Jim Miller with a picture-perfect knee at 3:00 of Round 1.
David Branch became the first fighter in over two years to knock out future title challenger Thiago Santos, stopping the Brazilian power-puncher in 2:30 of Round 1.
Edson Barboza connected with his signature spinning wheel kick in Round 3, wobbling Kevin Lee in one of the most celebrated and dramatic near-comebacks in UFC history.
Aljamain Sterling handed undefeated Welsh prospect Brett Johns his first career defeat (15-1), out-striking him 89 to 27 in significant strikes over 15 minutes.
Siyar Bahadurzada secured back-to-back stoppage victories in the UFC, crumpling Luan Chagas with a devastating second-round liver kick and follow-up punch.
Justin Willis landed 68 significant head strikes and 76 total significant strikes against Chase Sherman, setting a personal best output in a 3-round UFC contest.
The card generated $923,720 in gate receipts from 9,541 attendees, revitalizing Atlantic City’s combat sports legacy on the UFC calendar.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee take place?
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee took place on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Who won the main event between Edson Barboza and Kevin Lee?
Kevin Lee defeated Edson Barboza via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 2:18 of Round 5 after a dominant wrestling and ground-and-pound performance.
Why was the main event fought at a 157-pound catchweight?
Kevin Lee weighed in at 157 pounds at the official weigh-ins, missing the lightweight non-title limit by one pound. As a penalty, he forfeited 20% of his purse to Edson Barboza, and the fight proceeded at a catchweight.
Why did the doctor stop the fight in Barboza vs. Lee?
In the fifth round, the cageside physician examined a severe laceration and extreme swelling around Edson Barboza’s right eye caused by Lee’s ground strikes and determined he could no longer safely defend himself.
What famous moment occurred in Round 3 of Barboza vs. Lee?
Despite being dominated on the ground in the opening rounds, Barboza landed a flush spinning wheel kick in Round 3 that visibly wobbled Lee’s legs. However, Lee recovered by shooting for a reactive takedown and regaining top control.
Who won the co-main event rematch between Frankie Edgar and Cub Swanson?
New Jersey native Frankie Edgar defeated Cub Swanson via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), out-boxing Swanson across three rounds in their rematch.
What happened in the controversial finish between Ricky Simón and Merab Dvalishvili?
Simón trapped Dvalishvili in a mounted guillotine choke in the closing minute. While Dvalishvili bicycled his legs until the horn, referee Liam Kerrigan and officials ruled that Dvalishvili went unconscious as the round ended, resulting in a technical submission at 5:00 of Round 3.
Who won the $50,000 post-fight bonuses at UFC Fight Night 128?
Ricky Simón vs. Merab Dvalishvili earned Fight of the Night, while David Branch and Siyar Bahadurzada earned Performance of the Night honors.
How did Dan Hooker defeat veteran Jim Miller?
Dan Hooker stopped Jim Miller via knockout (knee) at 3:00 of Round 1, timing a vicious knee up the middle as Miller dipped his head on a punch exchange.
How did David Branch defeat Thiago Santos?
David Branch caught Thiago Santos with a sharp overhand right counter that sent him crashing to the canvas, followed by ground strikes for a first-round knockout at 2:30.
What promotional record did Corey Anderson set against Patrick Cummins?
Corey Anderson completed 12 takedowns on 13 attempts against Patrick Cummins, establishing the all-time record for the most takedowns in a single UFC light heavyweight bout.
What were the official attendance and live gate figures?
The event drew an official crowd of 9,541 fans with total gate receipts of $923,720 at Boardwalk Hall.
How was UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee broadcast?
The six-fight main card and four preliminary bouts were broadcast live in the United States on Fox Sports 1, with early preliminary action streaming on UFC Fight Pass.
Who were the commentators and ring announcer for the event?
The event was called by play-by-play announcer Brendan Fitzgerald alongside active UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder, with Bruce Buffer serving as the official Octagon announcer.
Why was the scheduled bout between Aspen Ladd and Leslie Smith cancelled?
Aspen Ladd weighed in at 137.8 pounds (1.8 pounds over the bantamweight limit). Leslie Smith exercised her contractual right to decline the catchweight bout, received her show and win purse from the UFC, and was subsequently released from the promotion.
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