UFC 143

Lore & Background

The main event of UFC 143 was originally set to feature welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre defending his title against Nick Diaz. However, on December 7, 2011, it was revealed that St-Pierre was injured and could not fight. Diaz instead faced Carlos Condit, who had been scheduled to fight Josh Koscheck. Koscheck was then matched with Mike Pierce at this event. An episode of UFC Primetime returned to promote the main event. In the featherweight division, Erik Koch was expected to fight Dustin Poirier, but was injured and was to be replaced by Ricardo Lamas. However, Lamas ended up injured as well and was replaced by future UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway, who made his UFC debut in this event. Amir Sadollah was scheduled to fight Jorge Lopez but was replaced by Matthew Riddle due to injury. Justin Edwards was expected to face Stephen Thompson, but was injured and replaced by Daniel Stittgen.

In Their Own Story

The bonus awards at UFC 143 saw $65,000 given to each recipient. Fight of the Night went to Fabrício Werdum vs. Roy Nelson. Submission of the Night was awarded to Dustin Poirier. Knockout of the Night went to Stephen Thompson. The reported payout to fighters, as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (not including sponsor money or fight night bonuses), included: Carlos Condit earned $110,000 (including $55,000 win bonus) for defeating Nick Diaz, who earned $200,000. Fabrício Werdum earned $100,000 (no win bonus) for defeating Roy Nelson, who earned $20,000. Josh Koscheck earned $146,000 (including $73,000 win bonus) for defeating Mike Pierce, who earned $20,000. Renan Barão earned $22,000 (including $11,000 win bonus) for defeating Scott Jorgensen, who earned $20,500. Ed Herman earned $62,000 (including $31,000 win bonus) for defeating Clifford Starks, who earned $8,000. Dustin Poirier earned $24,000 (including $12,000 win bonus) for his fight against Max Holloway, who earned $6,000. Edwin Figueroa earned $16,000 (including $8,000 win bonus) for defeating Alex Caceres, who earned $8,000. Matt Brown earned $30,000 (including $15,000 win bonus) for defeating Chris Cope, who earned $8,000. Matt Riddle earned $30,000 (including $15,000 win bonus) for defeating Henry Martinez, who earned $6,000. Rafael Natal earned $20,000 (including $10,000 win bonus) for defeating Michael Kuiper, who earned $6,000. Stephen Thompson earned $12,000 (including $6,000 win bonus) for defeating Dan Stittgen, who earned $6,000.

Reader's Guide

Main Event: Carlos Condit defeated Nick Diaz by decision (unanimous) — Condit earned $110,000, Diaz earned $200,000. Co-Main Event: Fabrício Werdum defeated Roy Nelson by decision (unanimous) — Werdum earned $100,000, Nelson earned $20,000. This bout won Fight of the Night. Notable: Dustin Poirier defeated Max Holloway by submission (armbar) in Round 1 — Poirier earned $24,000, Holloway earned $6,000. Poirier won Submission of the Night. Notable: Stephen Thompson defeated Dan Stittgen by TKO (punches) in Round 1 — Thompson earned $12,000, Stittgen earned $6,000. Thompson won Knockout of the Night.

Did You Know?

• The main event was originally scheduled as a welterweight title fight between champion Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, but St-Pierre withdrew due to injury on December 7, 2011.
• Max Holloway made his UFC debut at this event, replacing both Erik Koch and Ricardo Lamas on short notice to face Dustin Poirier.
• Stephen Thompson earned Knockout of the Night in his UFC debut, defeating Dan Stittgen by TKO.
• Fabrício Werdum and Roy Nelson each received $65,000 for Fight of the Night, the highest bonus awarded at the event.
• Nick Diaz earned $200,000 for the main event, the highest reported payout of the night, despite losing to Carlos Condit.