UFC On ESPN 9: Attendance, Gate, Bonuses

There were no fans inside the UFC APEX Center for UFC on ESPN 9 on May 30. As a result, there was no gate for the event in Las Vegas. What the event did have was a card featuring some top talent looking to prove themselves.

A main event player ended up earning part of the Performance of the Night bonus. Gilbert Burns (19-3) dominated former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley for five rounds in the main event. Less than a minute into the fight Woodley was bleeding above his eye while the younger Burns controlled the entire pace. Ranked sixth in the UFC’s welterweight rankings, Burns didn’t have any trouble against the number one ranked fighter.

The other Performance of the Night bonus went to Mackenzie Dern. The strawweight faced off against Hannah Cifers to open up the card. Dern (8-1) survived an early onslaught by Cifers and managed to take control of the situation. She ended up twisting around the leg of Cifers and locked her into a kneebar, the first leg submission in UFC women’s history.

Too good on the ground! 👀

🇧🇷 @MackenzieDern secures the RD 1 submission. #UFCVegas

Main card continues on @ESPN and E+ pic.twitter.com/i2BHp9Lu2F

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2020

The Fight of the Night went to Brandon Royval v. Tim Elliot. The latter was leading in the beginning in a bout that had rapid-fire action. Royval, who was unimpressed with his performance but is hoping the win could help him quit his day job, ended up locking in an arm-triangle choke for the win in the second round.

WELCOME TO THE UFC @BrandonRoyval 👏

Watch the #UFCVegas action on @ESPN and E+ pic.twitter.com/NYLxHDDUup

— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2020