5 burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN 19

MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle walks you through five key questions UFC on ESPN 19 should answer.

Out-of-control COVID spread is slowly grinding society to a halt again, and that includes damage done to the UFC’s weekly fight cards.

But there’s that sweet, sweet ESPN money to grab, dammit, and a quota of annual fight cards to fulfill, so the UFC’s show must go on.

The promotion returns to the UFC Apex on Saturday for UFC on ESPN 19. For the third time in the past four events, a positive COVID-19 diagnosis has forced a main event change. This time, middleweight Kevin Holland had to drop out after contracting the virus, and he’ll be replaced by first-time UFC headliner [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] in his matchup with [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag].

Beyond that, there are plenty of fights, but not much in the way of star power.  But we’ve noted this several cards in a row, and each of these cards have delivered solid action, so we’re willing to bet the card delivers bang for your buck once again.

UFC on ESPN 19 airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+.

Without further ado, then, here are five burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN 19.