UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje
United States
Main Card • Final
R4, 0:33
Fight of the Night
Brazil
R2, 3:17
Performance of the Night
Nigeria
R3, 5:00
Italy
R3, 5:00
Prelims • Final
R1, 4:28
Russia
R2, 4:12
R3, 5:00
R3, 2:16
Poland
Early Prelims • Final
R2, 0:59
R3, 5:00
Japan
R3, 5:00
R2, 1:59
Performance of the Night
Canada
Mexico
R2, 3:42
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje each took home $50,000 for their ferocious four-round war, hailed as the consensus 2018 Fight of the Year.
Performance of the Night: Alex Oliveira received $50,000 for stepping in on short notice to submit former WEC champion Carlos Condit via second-round guillotine choke.
Performance of the Night: Adam Wieczorek earned $50,000 for securing only the second omoplata submission victory in UFC history against Arjan Bhullar.
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 | $110,000 | — | $50,000 | $160,000 | |
| WIN | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 | |
| LOSS | $115,000 | — | — | $115,000 | |
| WIN | $53,000 | $53,000 | — | $106,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $20,000 | |
| WIN | $40,000 | $40,000 | — | $80,000 | |
| LOSS | $33,000 | — | — | $33,000 | |
| WIN | $40,000 | $40,000 | — | $80,000 | |
| LOSS | $72,000 | — | — | $72,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $37,000 | $37,000 | — | $74,000 | |
| LOSS | $31,000 | — | — | $31,000 | |
| WIN | $40,000 | $40,000 | — | $80,000 | |
| LOSS | $36,000 | — | — | $36,000 | |
| WIN | $28,000 | $28,000 | — | $56,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $35,000 | $35,000 | — | $70,000 | |
| LOSS | $15,000 | — | — | $15,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | $50,000 | $74,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $25,000 | $25,000 | — | $50,000 | |
| LOSS | $33,000 | — | — | $33,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 |
*Official fighter purses disclosed by the Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission. Total estimated figures include contractual base purses, win bonuses, and official post-fight performance bonuses ($50,000 each). Disclosed amounts do not include sponsor pay, Reebok athlete outfitting payouts, or discretionary locker room bonuses.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje
Adam Wieczorek secured only the second omoplata submission in UFC history against Arjan Bhullar, joining Ben Saunders (UFC Fight Night 49) in an elite statistical club.
The headlining battle between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje was universally voted the 2018 Fight of the Year across multiple major publications and the World MMA Awards.
Poirier and Gaethje landed 299 combined significant strikes in under 16 minutes, establishing one of the highest strike-rate outputs in modern lightweight history.
Justin Gaethje landed an astonishing 50 significant leg kicks in just over three rounds, setting an extraordinary pace for lower-limb striking inside the Octagon.
Future middleweight champion Israel Adesanya overcame adversity to pass his toughest early test, edging out Marvin Vettori via split decision to stay unbeaten at 13-0.
The event marked the UFC’s first visit to Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, attracting 11,382 spectators for a $1,085,712 live gate.
Stepping in on short notice for Matt Brown, Alex Oliveira pulled off a massive upset by finishing former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit with a guillotine choke.
Antônio Carlos Júnior notched his fifth consecutive promotional victory by submitting veteran Tim Boetsch via rear-naked choke in the first round.
World Sanda champion Muslim Salikhov recorded his first promotional technical knockout victory, delivering a clean right-hand walk-off finish over Ricky Rainey.
Brad Tavares finished Krzysztof Jotko via third-round TKO to earn his 12th UFC middleweight victory, tying him for third-most wins in division history at that time.
UFC veteran Yushin Okami landed 6 takedowns and dominated position to sweep the judges’ scorecards with three 30-26 tallies over Dhiego Lima.
Gilbert Burns landed his second consecutive knockout inside the Octagon, halting Dan Moret in under a minute of round two with an explosive right hand.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje take place?
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje took place on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the Gila River Arena (now Desert Diamond Arena) in Glendale, Arizona.
Who won the main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje?
Dustin Poirier defeated Justin Gaethje via TKO (punches) at 0:33 of Round 4 after stunning Gaethje with a massive counter left hand early in the round.
Why was Justin Gaethje deducted a point during the main event?
Referee Herb Dean deducted one point from Justin Gaethje in the third round due to repeated eye pokes committed during exchanges.
Who won the co-main event between Alex Oliveira and Carlos Condit?
Alex Oliveira defeated former interim champion Carlos Condit via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:17 of Round 2 after stepping in on short notice.
Who received official post-fight bonuses at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje?
Four fighters earned $50,000 bonuses: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje took home Fight of the Night, while Alex Oliveira and Adam Wieczorek earned Performance of the Night honors.
What was historic about Adam Wieczorek’s submission of Arjan Bhullar?
Adam Wieczorek executed only the second omoplata submission in UFC history, submitting Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar from his guard at 1:59 of Round 2.
How did Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori play out at this event?
In his second UFC outing, Israel Adesanya edged out Marvin Vettori via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in a competitive three-round middleweight contest.
What was the official attendance and live gate for the event?
The event drew an official crowd of 11,382 spectators generating a live gate of $1,085,712.25 at the Gila River Arena.
Did Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje ever fight a rematch?
Yes. The two met five years later in the main event of UFC 291 on July 29, 2023, for the vacant BMF title, where Justin Gaethje avenged his loss with a stunning second-round head-kick knockout.
Who won the featured women’s strawweight fight between Waterson and Casey?
Michelle Waterson defeated Cortney Casey via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28), relying on effective top control and three completed takedowns.
How did Brad Tavares perform against Krzysztof Jotko?
Brad Tavares scored an impressive third-round TKO (punches) at 2:16 of Round 3, securing his fourth straight win and 12th career middleweight victory in the UFC.
Did Muslim Salikhov earn a knockout victory at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje?
Yes. Russian Sanda legend Muslim Salikhov collected his first UFC victory with a thunderous right-hand knockout over Ricky Rainey at 4:12 of Round 2.
How did Gilbert Burns defeat Dan Moret?
Gilbert Burns knocked out promotional newcomer Dan Moret at 0:59 of Round 2 with a vicious combination of punches along the fence.
Who were the commentators and cage announcer for UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje?
The broadcast was called by lead play-by-play commentator Jon Anik alongside color analysts Daniel Cormier and Paul Felder, with Bruce Buffer serving as the official Octagon announcer.
Why is Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 1 considered one of the best fights ever?
The bout featured unrelenting back-and-forth action, 299 combined significant strikes, devastating leg kicks from Gaethje, and a dramatic fourth-round comeback stoppage by Poirier, earning universal 2018 Fight of the Year awards.
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