UFC 300: Pereira vs Hill | April 13, 2024 | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Complete UFC 300 fight card results, Max Holloway's legendary knockout, Kayla Harrison's dominant UFC debut, all 13 fights analyzed with winner interviews, knockout highlights, submission finishes, and $300,000 bonus awards
Table of Contents
UFC 300 Overview: The Greatest Card in UFC History?
UFC 300 exceeded every expectation as the promotion's milestone 300th pay-per-view event delivered one of the most memorable nights in mixed martial arts history. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed history as Alex Pereira defended his light heavyweight championship with a first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill, while Max Holloway produced arguably the greatest knockout in UFC history against Justin Gaethje with just one second remaining in their BMF title fight.
The historic card featured 11 current or former UFC champions across 13 action-packed bouts, with titleholders past and present going 7-4 on the night. UFC President Dana White raised the performance bonuses from $50,000 to an unprecedented $300,000 to commemorate the milestone event, distributing a record $900,000 in post-fight awards.
Key UFC 300 Statistics:
- Attendance: 20,067 (sold out)
- Gate: $16.5 million (third-highest in UFC history)
- Total significant strikes landed: Over 2,000 across all bouts
- Finishes: 9 of 13 fights ended inside the distance
UFC 300 Main Card Results
Main Event: Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill — UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Winner: Alex Pereira (Brazil) def. Jamahal Hill (USA) via KO (Punch) — Round 1, 3:14
Alex "Poatan" Pereira made quick work of former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, retaining his UFC light heavyweight championship with a devastating first-round knockout. The Brazilian knockout artist continued his remarkable run at 205 pounds, improving to 3-0 in the division with all three victories coming against former titleholders.
How Pereira Finished Hill:
Pereira established his range early with teep kicks and jabs, keeping Hill at distance before finding his opening. Three minutes into the fight, Hill landed a front kick to Poatan's cup, prompting Herb Dean to intervene but Poatan gave Herb a signal that he was okay, and the fight continued... until a moment later at 3:14 of Round 1, Pereira landed a devastating left hook that sent Hill crashing to the canvas, ending the fight instantaneously. The moment after the cup shot had created a short distraction, and provided the former kickboxing world champion with an opening. Poatan remained laser focused in that moment, and he took the opening, never giving Hill a chance to implement his game plan.
Key Stats:
- Pereira landed 24 of 30 total strikes
- Hill landed just 12 of 22 strikes before being finished
- This marked Pereira's 7th victory in 8 UFC appearances
- Pereira has won 3 UFC championships (middleweight and light heavyweight twice)
What Pereira Said: Following his victory, Pereira expressed interest in fighting on UFC 301 in Brazil just three weeks later, showcasing his willingness to stay active as champion.
What's Next: Pereira defended the title against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in June 2024.
Co-Main Event: Zhang Weili vs Yan Xiaonan — UFC Women's Strawweight Championship
Winner: Zhang Weili (China) def. Yan Xiaonan (China) via Unanimous Decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
In the first-ever all-Chinese UFC title fight, strawweight champion Zhang Weili retained her belt with a dominant five-round performance over compatriot Yan Xiaonan. The historic matchup at UFC 300 delivered drama throughout, with Zhang appearing to hurt Yan badly in the first two rounds before the challenger rallied in the middle frames.
Fight Breakdown:
Zhang established her superiority early, dropping Yan multiple times in the opening rounds and appearing close to finishing the fight. Round 1 finished with Yan being choked out at the bell, but Yan miraculously made it back to her corner, where she was given some smelling salts. Weili dominated with her grappling and unrelenting ground-and-pound. However, Yan showed incredible heart, recovering and making the middle rounds competitive before Zhang pulled away in the championship rounds.
Key Stats:
- Zhang outlanded Yan 256 to 73 in total strikes
- All three judges scored the bout 49-45 for Zhang
- Zhang improved to 24-3 overall, 7-2 in the UFC
Historic Significance: This was the first UFC title fight between two fighters from mainland China, marking a historic moment for Chinese MMA.
BMF Title Fight: Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje — Lightweight (5 Rounds)
Winner: Max Holloway (USA/Hawaii) def. Justin Gaethje (USA) via KO (Right Hand) — Round 5, 4:59
Max "Blessed" Holloway delivered what many consider the greatest knockout in UFC history, finishing Justin Gaethje with a devastating right hand with just one second remaining in the five-round BMF title fight. The legendary moment will be replayed for decades as one of MMA's most iconic finishes.
The Legendary Knockout:
Justin posed a threat with the leg kicks, targeting Max's vulnerability. Max found a home for his spinning back-kick, breaking Gaethje's nose at the end of the round. After a full 5 rounds of back-and-forth action, 15 seconds before the final bell, Holloway pointed to the center of the Octagon in signature Blessed style, inviting Gaethje to bite down and trade strikes in the final seconds. Gaethje obliged and the pair went toe-to-toe for the final 10 seconds. As the clock ticked down to its final moment, Holloway connected with a perfectly placed right hand that sent Gaethje crashing unconscious to the canvas as the horn sounded.
What Made It Historic:
Rather than coast to a decision victory (he was ahead 39-37 on two judges' scorecards), Holloway chose to engage in a wild exchange in the fight's final seconds. The calculated risk paid off with one of the most dramatic finishes in combat sports history.
Key Stats:
- Holloway landed 181 significant strikes to Gaethje's 103
- Both fighters earned Fight of the Night ($300,000 each)
- Holloway also earned Performance of the Night ($300,000)
- Total Holloway bonus earnings: $600,000 — a UFC single-event record
What Holloway Said: "I came here to put on a show. That's what BMF is all about."
What Dana White Said: "That fight sucked the life out of everybody tonight. People ask me what I do. I sell holy [shift] moments. That was the ultimate holy [shift] moment."
Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan — Lightweight Title Eliminator
Winner: Arman Tsarukyan (Armenia) def. Charles Oliveira (Brazil) via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
In a grueling lightweight title eliminator, Arman Tsarukyan earned the biggest win of his career by defeating former champion Charles Oliveira via split decision. The victory positioned Tsarukyan as the clear #1 contender for the lightweight championship.
Fight Breakdown:
Oliveira threatened early with a deep guillotine choke that nearly ended the fight, but Tsarukyan defended and escaped. The Armenian prospect dominated portions of the second round with ground-and-pound, opening a cut on Oliveira with vicious elbows. The final round featured Tsarukyan controlling the action before Oliveira attacked a D'Arce choke in the final moments that nearly stole the victory.
Key Stats:
- Tsarukyan improved to 22-3 overall
- Oliveira fell to 34-10 with 1 NC
- The Nevada State Athletic Commission withheld Tsarukyan's purse after he allegedly struck a fan while walking to the Octagon
Controversial Incident: Tsarukyan faced disciplinary action from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after allegedly striking a fan during his walkout to the Octagon. His purse was withheld pending investigation.
Bo Nickal vs Cody Brundage — Middleweight
Winner: Bo Nickal (USA) def. Cody Brundage (USA) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — Round 2, 3:38
Undefeated wrestling phenom Bo Nickal maintained his perfect record with a second-round submission of Cody Brundage, opening the UFC 300 main card with a dominant grappling showcase against a legitimate dangerous opponent. The three-time NCAA Division I National Wrestling Champion proved his finishing ability against UFC-level competition and welcomed better competition in his future matches.
How Nickal Won:
Nickal dominated the first round with superior grappling, controlling Brundage on the canvas but unable to find a submission. In Round 2, Nickal worked to secure back control and locked in a tight rear-naked choke that forced the immediate tap at 3:38.
Key Stats:
- Nickal improved to 6-0 as a professional
- This was his 4th UFC victory, all finishes
- Nickal is considered a future middleweight title contender
Rising Star: At just 28 years old, Nickal is widely considered the most promising prospect in the UFC's middleweight division.
UFC 300 Preliminary Card Results
Featured Prelim: Jiri Prochazka vs Aleksandar Rakic — Light Heavyweight
Winner: Jiri Prochazka (Czech Republic) def. Aleksandar Rakic (Austria) via TKO (Punches) — Round 2, 3:17
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka bounced back from his title loss to Alex Pereira with a thrilling second-round stoppage of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300. The Czech warrior showed his trademark heart and finishing ability, rallying after a competitive first round to earn a $300,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Fight Breakdown:
Rakic controlled portions of the first round with his striking and movement, but Prochazka found his rhythm in Round 2. The former champion began landing heavy shots that wobbled Rakic before swarming with punches against the fence to force the stoppage at 3:17.
Key Stats:
- Prochazka improved to 30-4-1 overall
- This was Prochazka's first victory since reclaiming the title from Glover Teixeira in 2022
- Performance of the Night: $300,000
Aljamain Sterling vs Calvin Kattar — Featherweight
Winner: Aljamain Sterling (USA) def. Calvin Kattar (USA) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling made a successful featherweight debut, dominating Calvin Kattar over three rounds to earn a shutout unanimous decision. Sterling's dominant grappling proved to be the difference as he controlled the bout from start to finish.
Fight Breakdown:
Sterling utilized his wrestling advantage to neutralize Kattar's dangerous striking, repeatedly taking the fight to the canvas and controlling position. The former bantamweight champion looked comfortable at 145 pounds and proved he can compete with elite featherweights.
Key Stats:
- All three judges scored every round for Sterling (30-27)
- Sterling improved to 24-3 overall
- This marked Sterling's first fight at featherweight in the UFC
Kayla Harrison vs Holly Holm — Women's Bantamweight
Winner: Kayla Harrison (USA) def. Holly Holm (USA) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — Round 2, 1:47
Two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison made a dominant UFC debut at UFC 300, submitting former champion Holly Holm in the second round. The two-time PFL women's lightweight tournament champion proved she can make the bantamweight limit and compete at the highest level.
How Harrison Won:
Harrison's world-class judo was on full display from the opening bell. She immediately secured takedowns and controlled Holm on the canvas, never allowing the former champion to establish her striking. In Round 2, Harrison took Holm's back and secured a tight rear-naked choke that forced the tap at 1:47.
Weight Cut Success: Harrison had competed at 155 pounds and 145 pounds throughout her PFL career. Making the 135-pound bantamweight limit opened up championship opportunities in the UFC's deepest women's division.
What Harrison Said: "I want my title next. That's what I came over here for — one thing and one thing only. By the end of the year, I will be UFC champion."
Key Stats:
- Harrison improved to 17-1 overall
- Holm fell to 15-7 overall
- Harrison had won two PFL women's lightweight tournaments before joining the UFC
What's Next: Harrison went on to defeat Ketlen Vieira and later captured the UFC women's bantamweight championship by submitting Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025.
Sodiq Yusuff vs Diego Lopes — Featherweight
Winner: Diego Lopes (Brazil) def. Sodiq Yusuff (USA/Nigeria) via TKO (Strikes) — Round 1, 1:29
Rising featherweight star Diego Lopes recorded his third consecutive first-round knockout, needing just 89 seconds to stop Sodiq Yusuff in devastating fashion. The Brazilian showcased his elite finishing ability on the biggest stage of his career, landing devastating uppercuts on Yusuff.
Lightning-Quick Finish:
Lopes wasted no time, immediately pressuring Yusuff and finding openings with his precise striking. At 1:29 of Round 1, Lopes connected with strikes that dropped Yusuff and followed up with ground-and-pound to force the stoppage.
Key Stats:
- Lopes improved to 25-6 overall
- Third consecutive first-round knockout for Lopes
- The Nevada State Athletic Commission withheld Lopes' purse after he jumped out of the cage during his celebration
Controversial Celebration: Like Tsarukyan, Lopes faced disciplinary action from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after jumping out of the Octagon during his post-fight celebration, which is prohibited under commission rules.
Renato Moicano vs Jalin Turner — Lightweight
Winner: Renato Moicano (Brazil) def. Jalin Turner (USA) via TKO (Strikes) — Round 2, 4:11
Brazilian veteran Renato Moicano stopped the dangerous Jalin Turner in the second round, capitalizing on his grappling advantage to earn a statement victory. Moicano's performance showcased his well-rounded skills against a larger opponent.
Fight Breakdown:
Turner used his significant size advantage early, but Moicano showed his BJJ black-belt skills and when the fight went to the ground, he smothered Turner for most of the first round. Jalin Turner landed a walkoff punch that put Moicano down and nearly finished the fight. Jalin glanced at Herb Dean in expectation but Moicano weathered the storm and began finding success with his striking in the 2nd round. Moicano gained top position, hurt Turner and followed up with strikes on the ground to force the stoppage at 4:11.
Key Stats:
- Moicano improved to 19-5-1 overall
- Turner fell to 14-7 overall
Jessica Andrade vs Marina Rodriguez — Women's Strawweight
Winner: Jessica Andrade (Brazil) def. Marina Rodriguez (Brazil) via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Former UFC women's strawweight champion Jessica Andrade edged fellow Brazilian Marina Rodriguez in a closely contested split decision. The all-Brazilian affair showcased Andrade's trademark power and aggression.
Fight Breakdown:
Rodriguez found success early with her striking, but a slip in Round 1 allowed Andrade to secure top position and control the action. Andrade's power proved to be the difference in the close rounds, swaying two of three judges in her favor.
Key Stats:
- Andrade improved to 25-12 overall
- Rodriguez fell to 17-3-2 overall
- The split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) reflected the competitive nature of the bout
Jim Miller vs Bobby (King) Green — Lightweight
Winner: Bobby Green (USA) def. Jim Miller (USA) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)
Bobby (King) Green returned to the win column with a dominant decision victory over UFC legend Jim Miller in a lightweight clash with historical significance. Miller became the only fighter in UFC history to compete at UFC 100, UFC 200, and UFC 300.
Historic Significance:
This bout had been scheduled three previous times but was canceled each time due to Green withdrawals:
- UFC 172 (April 2014) — Green elbow injury
- UFC 258 (February 2021) — Green collapsed after weigh-ins
- UFC 276 (July 2022) — Green withdrew for unknown reasons
Fight Breakdown:
Miller hurt Green early in Round 1, but "King" Green used his speed advantage to take over in the second and third rounds, busting up Miller with combinations and earning a wide decision.
Key Stats:
- Green improved to 32-14 overall
- Miller fell to 37-18 overall
- Miller has competed in more UFC events than any other fighter in history
Cody Garbrandt vs Deiveson Figueiredo — Bantamweight
Winner: Deiveson Figueiredo (Brazil) def. Cody Garbrandt (USA) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — Round 2, 4:02
Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo opened UFC 300 with a submission victory over former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. The clash of former titleholders set the tone for a historic night of action.
How Figueiredo Won:
The first round was tactical, with both former champions feeling each other out. In Round 2, Figueiredo secured a takedown and worked patiently to take Garbrandt's back. Once there, the Brazilian locked in a tight rear-naked choke that forced the tap at 4:02.
Key Stats:
- Figueiredo improved to 23-3-1 overall
- Garbrandt fell to 14-6 overall
- This was Figueiredo's first victory at bantamweight
UFC 300 Bonuses: Record $900,000 Distributed
UFC President Dana White announced before UFC 300 that post-fight bonuses would be increased from the standard $50,000 to $300,000 to commemorate the milestone event. The promotion distributed a record $900,000 in bonus money.
| Bonus Type | Winner(s) | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fight of the Night | Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje | $300,000 each ($600,000 total) |
| Performance of the Night | Max Holloway | $300,000 |
| Performance of the Night | Jiri Prochazka | $300,000 |
Max Holloway's Historic Bonus Haul: By earning both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night, Holloway took home $600,000 in bonus money — the largest single-event bonus total in UFC history.
UFC 300 Weight Misses and Disciplinary Issues
Clean Weigh-Ins
All 26 fighters on the UFC 300 card successfully made their contracted weights at Friday's official weigh-ins. This was particularly notable for Kayla Harrison, who had never competed at 135 pounds professionally and cut down from her usual 155-pound weight class.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Issues
Two fighters had their purses withheld by the Nevada State Athletic Commission pending investigation:
- Arman Tsarukyan — Allegedly struck a fan while walking to the Octagon
- Diego Lopes — Jumped out of the cage during his post-fight celebration (prohibited under commission rules)
Both fighters met with the NSAC on April 30, 2024, to discuss the incidents.
UFC 300 Hall of Fame Announcement
During the UFC 300 broadcast, it was announced that the UFC middleweight championship bout from UFC 117 (August 2010) between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's "fight wing."
Silva defended his middleweight title via fifth-round submission in what is considered one of the greatest comebacks in MMA history, as he was losing on all three scorecards before securing a triangle choke in the final round.
UFC 300 Key Takeaways
1. Max Holloway Cemented His Legacy
Holloway's buzzer-beater knockout of Gaethje will be replayed for generations. The performance proved he remains one of the sport's elite fighters and enhanced his status as a future Hall of Famer.
2. Kayla Harrison is the Real Deal
The two-time Olympic gold medalist proved she can compete at the UFC's highest level. Her dominant debut over Holly Holm set the stage for her eventual championship run.
3. Alex Pereira is Building a Historic Resume
Pereira's first-round knockout of Hill continued his remarkable run. The Brazilian has now won three UFC championships in less than three years, all against elite competition.
4. Arman Tsarukyan Earned His Title Shot
Despite the controversial incident with a fan, Tsarukyan proved he belongs at the top of the lightweight division by defeating former champion Charles Oliveira.
5. The Prelims Delivered Championship-Level Action
With eight bouts featuring current or former UFC champions, the preliminary card was arguably the greatest in UFC history.
Complete UFC 300 Results Summary
| Fight | Winner | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pereira vs Hill | Alex Pereira | KO (punch) | R1, 3:14 |
| Zhang vs Yan | Zhang Weili | UD (49-45 x3) | 5 rounds |
| Holloway vs Gaethje | Max Holloway | KO (right hand) | R5, 4:59 |
| Tsarukyan vs Oliveira | Arman Tsarukyan | SD (28-29, 29-28 x2) | 3 rounds |
| Nickal vs Brundage | Bo Nickal | Sub (RNC) | R2, 3:38 |
| Prochazka vs Rakic | Jiri Prochazka | TKO (punches) | R2, 3:17 |
| Sterling vs Kattar | Aljamain Sterling | UD (30-27 x3) | 3 rounds |
| Harrison vs Holm | Kayla Harrison | Sub (RNC) | R2, 1:47 |
| Lopes vs Yusuff | Diego Lopes | TKO (strikes) | R1, 1:29 |
| Moicano vs Turner | Renato Moicano | TKO (strikes) | R2, 4:11 |
| Andrade vs Rodriguez | Jessica Andrade | SD (28-29, 29-28 x2) | 3 rounds |
| Green vs Miller | Bobby Green | UD (30-27, 30-25, 29-26) | 3 rounds |
| Figueiredo vs Garbrandt | Deiveson Figueiredo | Sub (RNC) | R2, 4:02 |
UFC 300's Place in History
UFC 300 lived up to its billing as one of the greatest fight cards ever assembled. The combination of championship-level talent, dramatic finishes, and historic moments created an unforgettable night that will be discussed for years to come.
Max Holloway's last-second knockout stands as one of the defining moments in UFC history, while Kayla Harrison's dominant debut signaled the arrival of a new force in women's MMA. Alex Pereira continued his remarkable championship run, and rising stars like Bo Nickal and Diego Lopes proved they belong on the sport's biggest stages.
The milestone event set the standard for future UFC numbered events and proved why the promotion remains the undisputed leader in mixed martial arts entertainment.
UFC 300 marked a historic milestone for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, delivering legendary moments that will be remembered for generations. From Max Holloway's iconic buzzer-beater knockout to Alex Pereira's dominant title defense, the event exceeded every expectation and cemented its place among the greatest fight cards in combat sports history.
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