UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch
United States
Main Card • Final
R2, 4:05
R1, 1:19
Performance of the Night
R3, 2:33
Cuba
R2, 2:11
Fight of the Night
Nigeria
R1, 2:48
Brazil
R3, 5:00
Prelims • Final
Canada
R3, 5:00
R1, 0:24
Jamaica
R2, 2:25
Performance of the Night
Poland
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Gregor Gillespie and Jason Gonzalez each received $50,000 for their wild, non-stop lightweight war that concluded with Gillespie’s second-round arm-triangle submission.
Performance of the Night: Mike Perry took home $50,000 for his brutal 79-second knockout victory over late replacement Alex Reyes in the co-main event.
Performance of the Night: Uriah Hall was awarded $50,000 for surviving a punishing opening frame to execute a thrilling second-round comeback knockout of Krzysztof Jotko.
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 | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| LOSS | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | $50,000+ | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Fighter purses are not publicly released by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. Figures shown reflect confirmed post-fight performance bonuses ($50,000 each) awarded by the promotion. Undisclosed base purses and win bonuses are denoted by (—).
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch
Active UFC lightweight Paul Felder made his official UFC color commentary television debut on Fox Sports 1, calling fights alongside Jon Anik and Dominick Cruz.
Future Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman extended his unblemished promotional record to 6-0, scoring his first UFC knockout win via a devastating right hand at 2:48 of Round 1.
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold returned from a 15-month layoff to finish two-division WSOF champion David Branch, securing his 13th combined UFC/Strikeforce stoppage.
Daniel Spitz scored one of the fastest heavyweight finishes of 2017, knocking out veteran Anthony Hamilton with a right hand behind the ear in just 24 seconds.
Gregor Gillespie and Jason Gonzalez delivered an instant classic in their two-round lightweight duel, trading 93 total strikes and 4 takedowns before Gillespie’s arm-triangle choke secured Fight of the Night.
After being dropped and outstruck 44 to 26 in the opening round, Uriah Hall unleashed a walk-off counter right hand to knock out Krzysztof Jotko and claim Performance of the Night.
World jiu-jitsu champion Gilbert Burns showcased his evolving power striking with a one-punch walk-off knockout over Jason Saggo at 4:55 of the second round.
Mike Perry recorded his second consecutive first-round finish of 2017, utilizing heavy Thai-clinch knees to stop short-notice replacement Alex Reyes in 1:19.
Anthony Smith notched his third consecutive third-round stoppage inside the Octagon, becoming only the second fighter in UFC history to finish former Bellator champion Héctor Lombard with strikes.
Justin Ledet extended his undefeated career record to 9-0 (1 NC), out-jabbing late replacement Azunna Anyanwu across three rounds to take a split decision.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier improved his UFC lightweight record to 6-2 by executing four takedowns to edge out Anthony Rocco Martin in a closely contested preliminary bout.
UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch marked the promotion’s third live event in Pittsburgh, generating $396,190.75 in total gate revenue.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch take place?
UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch (also known as UFC Fight Night 116) took place on Saturday, September 16, 2017, at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Who won the main event between Luke Rockhold and David Branch?
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold defeated David Branch via TKO (submission to punches) at 4:05 of Round 2.
How did Luke Rockhold defeat David Branch?
After weathering an early striking storm from Branch against the cage, Rockhold secured a takedown in round two, transitioned to full mount, took Branch’s back, and rained down unanswered ground strikes until Branch tapped out.
Who won the co-main event between Mike Perry and Alex Reyes?
Mike Perry defeated short-notice replacement Alex Reyes via KO (knee) at 1:19 of Round 1 in their welterweight co-main event clash.
Who won the official post-fight bonus awards?
Four fighters earned $50,000 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie vs. Jason Gonzalez was named Fight of the Night, while Mike Perry and Uriah Hall earned Performance of the Night awards.
What was the live attendance and gate for the event?
The event drew an official crowd of 7,005 fans at the PPG Paints Arena, generating a live gate of $396,190.75.
How did Kamaru Usman perform at UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch?
Future champion Kamaru Usman scored his first knockout inside the Octagon, flattening veteran Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Sérgio Moraes with a clean overhand right at 2:48 of Round 1.
How did Anthony Smith defeat Héctor Lombard?
Anthony Smith weathered heavy leg kicks early before connecting with a clean jab-right hand combination in round three that knocked Héctor Lombard down and finished him at 2:33 of Round 3.
Why did Gregor Gillespie vs. Jason Gonzalez win Fight of the Night?
Gillespie and Gonzalez engaged in a wild, back-and-forth slugfest with relentless striking exchanges before Gillespie secured a fourth takedown and submitted Gonzalez with an arm-triangle choke at 2:11 of Round 2.
How did Uriah Hall defeat Krzysztof Jotko?
After being dominated and nearly stopped in the first round, Uriah Hall rebounded in round two by landing an explosive counter right hand that dropped Jotko face-first at 2:25 of Round 2.
How fast was Daniel Spitz’s knockout of Anthony Hamilton?
Daniel Spitz knocked out Anthony Hamilton in just 24 seconds of Round 1, landing a short right hook behind the ear followed by ground strikes.
How did Gilbert Burns finish Jason Saggo?
Gilbert Burns landed a walk-off overhand right that knocked Jason Saggo out cold against the fence with just five seconds remaining in the second round (4:55 of Round 2).
Who made their UFC broadcast commentary debut at this event?
Active UFC lightweight Paul Felder made his television analyst and broadcast booth debut on Fox Sports 1, calling fights alongside Jon Anik and Dominick Cruz.
Was there a cancelled fight at UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch?
Yes. A scheduled bantamweight matchup between Felipe Arantes and Luke Sanders was cancelled on the day of the event after Arantes fell ill with an undisclosed sickness.
Where was UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch broadcast?
The entire 10-fight card aired live in the United States on Fox Sports 1, with preliminary bouts beginning at 8:00 PM EDT followed by the main card at 10:00 PM EDT.
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