UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw
United States
Main Card • Final
R5, 5:00
Brazil
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
R2, 3:48
Performance of the Night
R3, 5:00
R2, 2:11
Performance of the Night
Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
France
R2, 3:09
R1, 2:57
R2, 3:45
R1, 3:49
Romania
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Raulian Paiva and Kyler Phillips each earned $50,000 for their dramatic, back-and-forth three-round bantamweight battle.
Performance of the Night: Darren Elkins received $50,000 for rallying back from severe early trouble to finish Darrick Minner with ground strikes in Round 2.
Performance of the Night: Adrian Yañez pocketed $50,000 for his comeback second-round TKO victory over Randy Costa in their firefight.
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 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — |
*Purses for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw were not publicly released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Listed performance bonus figures ($50,000 each) were officially confirmed and distributed by the UFC. Undisclosed contract base amounts and win bonuses are designated with — in strict compliance with state commission privacy provisions.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw returned from a 30-month competitive suspension to defeat Cory Sandhagen, becoming the first bantamweight in UFC history to win a five-round main event after a layoff of over two years.
Darren Elkins secured his 10th stoppage victory inside the Octagon at 145 pounds, tying former champion Max Holloway for the second-most finishes in UFC featherweight history.
Surviving an onslaught of submissions and strikes in Round 1 from Darrick Minner, Darren Elkins staged a signature come-from-behind TKO in Round 2 to earn a Performance of the Night bonus.
Adrian Yañez extended his promotional knockout streak to three consecutive fights, becoming the first bantamweight since Cody Garbrandt to finish his first three UFC appearances via strikes.
Mickey Gall earned his sixth career UFC victory, maintaining a 100% finish profile with all six of his career promotional wins coming via rear-naked choke submission.
T.J. Dillashaw connected on 41 of 43 attempted leg kicks (95.3% accuracy), establishing one of the highest leg kick totals ever recorded in a 135-pound non-title main event.
Romania’s Diana Belbiţă earned her first promotional victory inside the Octagon, outlanding Hannah Goldy 117 to 92 in significant strikes across a competitive 15-minute strawweight clash.
Raulian Paiva and Kyler Phillips combined for 125 significant strikes and a knockdown in a fast-paced three-round majority decision classic, claiming Fight of the Night honors.
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw was the inaugural event held at the UFC APEX facility to admit ticketed fans, welcoming 51 exclusive VIP guests.
Brendan Allen outworked Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Punahele Soriano with 94 significant strikes, snapping Soriano’s unblemished 8-0 professional record.
France’s Nassourdine Imavov picked up his first promotional stoppage victory, stopping seasoned top-15 contender Ian Heinisch with standing strikes at 3:09 of Round 2.
Sijara Eubanks made a thunderous return to the women’s 125-pound division, overwhelming Elise Reed on the canvas to record a first-round stoppage in just 3:49.
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw take place?
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw took place on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas (Enterprise), Nevada.
Who won the main event between Cory Sandhagen and T.J. Dillashaw?
Former two-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw defeated Cory Sandhagen via split decision (47–48, 48–47, 48–47) after five razor-thin rounds.
How long was T.J. Dillashaw out of action prior to this fight?
Dillashaw returned from a 30-month hiatus following a two-year suspension by USADA and subsequent recovery from shoulder surgery, making his first Octagon appearance since January 2019.
Who won the co-main event between Raulian Paiva and Kyler Phillips?
Raulian Paiva defeated Kyler Phillips via majority decision (29–28, 29–28, 28–28) in a thrilling 135-pound bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.
How did Darren Elkins defeat Darrick Minner?
Darren Elkins weathered early submission attempts from Minner in the opening round before taking top position and securing a second-round TKO (punches) at 3:48 of Round 2.
What was the score in Maycee Barber vs. Miranda Maverick?
Maycee Barber defeated Miranda Maverick via split decision (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) in one of the most debated judges’ scorecards of the year.
How did Adrian Yañez finish Randy Costa?
After being outstruck in Round 1, Adrian Yañez altered his approach in Round 2, landing crisp uppercuts to finish Randy Costa via TKO (punches) at 2:11 of Round 2.
Who won the $50,000 post-fight bonuses?
Four fighters received $50,000 bonuses: Raulian Paiva vs. Kyler Phillips (Fight of the Night), and Darren Elkins and Adrian Yañez (Performance of the Night).
Were fans allowed in attendance for this event?
Yes. The event marked the first time fans were permitted inside the UFC APEX, with 51 VIP guests purchasing premium $2,000 hospitality packages, generating an estimated $102,000 gate.
How did Mickey Gall defeat Jordan Williams?
Mickey Gall stunned Jordan Williams with a right hand before transitioning to take his back and locking in a rear-naked choke at 2:57 of Round 1.
What was the result of Nassourdine Imavov vs. Ian Heinisch?
Nassourdine Imavov delivered an impressive striking showcase, defeating Ian Heinisch via second-round TKO (punches) at 3:09 of Round 2.
Who won the middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Punahele Soriano?
Brendan Allen handed Punahele Soriano the first loss of his professional career via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).
Which fights were cancelled from this card during fight week?
A heavyweight bout between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Chris Daukaus was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, and a women’s bantamweight clash between Aspen Ladd and Macy Chiasson was scrapped due to a foot injury suffered by Chiasson.
Who called the broadcast for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw?
The broadcast team featured lead commentator Brendan Fitzgerald alongside color analysts Daniel Cormier and former bantamweight king Dominick Cruz, with Joe Martinez serving as the cage announcer.
How did Diana Belbiţă perform in the opening fight?
Diana Belbiţă dominated Hannah Goldy in striking exchanges to earn a unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) victory, registering her first career win inside the UFC.
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