''UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 9, 2024, at the

Kaseya Center Kaseya Center (formerly known as American Airlines Arena from 1999 to 2021, FTX Arena from 2021 to 2023 and Miami-Dade Arena in 2023) is a multi-purpose arena located in Miami, Florida, along Biscayne Bay. It was constructed beginning in 1998 ...

in Miami, Florida, United States.

Background

The event marked the promotion's third visit to Miami and first since UFC 287 in April 2023. A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera headlined the event. The pair previously met at UFC 252 in August 2020 which Vera won by first round TKO. Merab Dvalishvili served as backup and potential replacement for this fight. A five round lightweight bout between former interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier and Benoît Saint Denis took place in the co-main event. The bout was briefly in jeopardy when Poirier indicated the bout would not take place as he had never signed a contract and he was unable to come to terms with the promotion. However, Poirier shortly thereafter retracted his statement describing it as a misunderstanding. A heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and

Jailton Almeida Jailton Jesus Almeida Junior (born June 28, 1991) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of January 24, 2023, he is #14 in the UFC heavyweight ...

took place at the event. They were previously expected to headline UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis in November 2023 but Blaydes withdrew for unknown reasons.

Ian Machado Garry Ian Machado Garry (né Garry on 17 November 1997) is an Irish professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Prior to his signing with the UFC, Garry was a Cage Warrior ...

and Geoff Neal were expected to meet in a welterweight bout at this event. They were originally booked for UFC 292 in August 2023, but Neal withdrew due to undisclosed health reasons. However the bout was moved to

UFC 298 ''UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on February 17, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, United States. Background The event marked th ...

for unknown reasons. Former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion (also former UFC Women's Flyweight Championship challenger) Lauren Murphy was expected to face Karine Silva in a women's flyweight bout. However, Murphy pulled out due to injury and Silva is now expected to face former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion Ariane Lipski at

UFC on ESPN 55 ''UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 55'' and ''UFC Vegas 91'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on April 27, 2024, at the UFC Apex facility, in Enterprise, ...

. A light heavyweight bout between Ion Cuțelaba and 2018 PFL heavyweight tournament winner Philipe Lins took place at the event. They were previously expected to meet at UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green in October 2023 but Lins withdrew the day of the event for unknown reasons. At the weigh ins,

C.J. Vergara Carlos Vergara (born June 18, 1991) is an American Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Vergara began training under Pete Spratt at his Muay Tha ...

weighed in at 127 pounds, one pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30 percent of his purse which went to his opponent

Asu Almabayev Asu Abaiuly Almabayev ( kk, Асу Абайұлы Алмабаев; born January 25, 1994) is a Kazakh professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A profession ...

. During the event's broadcast, former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion

Joanna Jędrzejczyk Joanna Jędrzejczyk (; born August 18, 1987) is a Polish former professional mixed martial artist and Muay Thai kickboxer. She has been called the greatest female strawweight mixed martial artist of all time, including by Daniel Cormier, who cred ...

was announced as the next "modern wing" UFC Hall of Fame inductee during June's International Fight Week festivities in Las Vegas.

Results

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses. *Fight of the Night: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoît Saint Denis *Performance of the Night: Sean O’Malley, Jack Della Maddalena, Curtis Blaydes, Michel Pereira and Robelis Despaigne

References

{{2024 in mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events 2024 in UFC 2024 in sports in Florida Mixed martial arts in Florida Sports competitions in Miami March 2024 sports events in the United States

Background

Results

Bonus awards

See also

References