The UFC kicks off 2020 with the return of its most bankable fighter.
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
In the main event, former dual champion [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) returns after a 15-month layoff to take on [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) in a welterweight bout. McGregor is more than a 3-1 favorite from the oddsmakers, and he’s the pick of 11 of our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.
In the co-main event, former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) takes on [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC). Holm is just a slight favorite, but she’s got a massive 13-1 lead in the picks with just one staff member taking Pennington in an upset.
At heavyweight, [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is a slight favorite against [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (57-13-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC). But it’s Oleinik who has a whopping 12-2 lead in the picks.
And to open the main card, former lightweight champ [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (22-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) is a sizable underdog against [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), who has won six straight fights. But it’s Pettis with a 9-5 lead in the picks.
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A women’s strawweight fight between [autotag]Claudia Gadelha[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) and [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) was scheduled for the main card. But after Grasso missed weight by 5.5 pounds at Friday’s weigh-ins and came in at 121.5, the fight was canceled by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Grasso had been a 10-4 pick over Gadelha from our staff members in the fight, though it was Gadelha with a big 72 percent number from our readers..
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, McGregor (53%), Holm (82 percent), Oleinik (64 percent) and Pettis (63 percent) are the choices.
Check out the fighter faceoffs from UFC 246 media day.
LAS VEGAS – As we inch closer to UFC 246 on Saturday, the top fighters on the card outside of the main event inched closer to each other Thursday.
The main-card fighters, as well as some of the prelim fighters, took part in a media day for UFC 246 at the UFC Apex. After answering questions for the media, the athletes faced off ahead of Friday’s weigh-ins and the Saturday event.
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] rematches [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] in the co-main event, while heavyweights [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag], strawweights [autotag]Claudia Gadelha[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] and lightweights [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag] round out of the main card.
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On the prelims, undefeated super-prospect [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] meets veteran opponent [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] in a women’s flyweight matchup.
Check out the faceoffs from those fighters in the video above ahead of UFC 246, which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the year takes place Saturday with UFC 246, and the popular “Embedded” series returns to get you ready.
The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the year takes place Saturday with UFC 246, and the promotion’s popular “Embedded” series returns to get you ready.
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
In the main event, former simultaneous featherweight and lightweight champion [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) returns after a 15-month absence to take on [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) in a welterweight bout. In the co-feature, former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) meets [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC).
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The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the big-name stars at the top of the card as they arrive in Las Vegas. Here’s the UFC’s description:
On Episode 4 of UFC 246 Embedded, headliner Conor McGregor takes questions and photos. Bantamweight Raquel Pennington sweats out the effects of a long flight while opponent Holly Holm clocks familiar names on the Ultimate Fighter jersey wall. Fans pack the Palms for a press conference between McGregor and the fittingly-dressed Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, with football star Chad Ochocinco in attendance. UFC 246 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the return of Conor McGregor on Saturday, January 18th.
Previewing Saturday’s UFC 246 bantamweight bout between Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.
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Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington will square off at UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Saturday night in a woman’s bantamweight bout on the pay-per-view card.
Holm (12-5), a.k.a. The Farmer’s Daughter, is a southpaw with a 69-67.5-inch reach advantage. She might not go to the ground as often as her counterpart, but when she does, she is very effective in the ground and pound, posting a 31.58 takedown-accuracy percentage. Holm also has experience on her side, as she became champ when she stunned Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 on Nov. 14, 2015 to burst onto the scene. She has lost four straight title bouts since, but remains relevant and a problem for anyone in her way. A first-round knockout at the hands of Amanda Nunes for the title last July 6 at UFC 239 is certainly nothing to hang her head about.
Pennington (10-8) is rather accurate in the significant-strike department, so she has that going for her. And “Rocky” is coming off a decision win over Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Night last July 20, showing she is still a force to be reckoned with despite a rather unimpressive record overall. Like Holm, she has losses to Germaine de Randamie and Nunes in the past two years. These two also battled at UFC 184, with Holm coming away with a split-decision win on Feb. 28, 2015, so Pennington will have the revenge factor working for her.
SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone
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Per BetMGM, Holm (-143) is only a slight favorite in this one over Pennington (+110). The oddsmakers also show a heavy lean to the match going the distance (three rounds), with odds there being set at -455 for and the odds to not go a full three rounds at +320.
Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Holm to win returns $7 in profit. A $10 bet on Pennington at returns a profit of $11 with a victory.
These two have a history, as mentioned, and they went the distance in that previous bout in 2015. You can expect a similar result, as Rocky likes to drag things out and let the judges decide her fate. Five of her past six bouts have gone to the card, and she has been on the successful end of four of those five fights. However, I like Holm’s kicking ability, and the southpaw will be able to keep Pennington at a distance, limiting the effectiveness of her strikes. The play here is Holm to win by decision/technical decision -106. The fight should also go the distance, but at -455, that’s just too expensive. You can also bet the total number of rounds (OVER 2.5, -556), but those odds are even worse! AVOID, and just bet the fight straight up.
If you want some action on this mixed martial arts bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Breaking down where, when and how to watch UFC 246 featuring Conor McGregor and Cowboy Cerrone, with start times for Saturday’s fights.
UFC 246 is here and Ultimate Fighting Championship fans are in for a treat as Conor McGregor and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone square off in the main event to headline UFC 246’s big PPV event.
This UFC 246 viewing guide is to help you with all of the ins and outs around this event, including breaking down each of the fight cards, details on where to watch the event and where to bet on UFC 246.
UFC 246 Main Fight Card
Main event
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Conor McGregor (21-4-0) vs. Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone (36-13-0, 1 NC)
Co-main event
Holly Holm (12-5-0) vs. Raquel Pennington (10-8-0)
Heavyweight
Aleksei Oleinik (57-13-1) vs. Maurice Greene (8-4-0)
Women’s Strawweight
Claudia Gadelha (17-4-0) vs. Alexa Grasso (11-3-0)
Lightweight
Anthony Pettis (22-9-0) vs. Diego Ferreira (16-2-0)
SPECIAL UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cerrone Line
Bet $1, WIN $200 (in free bets) if McGregor wins in any manner vs. Cerrone January 18, 2020. Bet now at BetMGM!
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Maycee Barber; Andre Fili vs. Sodiq Yusuff; Drew Dober vs. Nasrat Haqparast; Tim Elliott vs. Askar Askarov
UFC 246 Early Prelims
Aleksa Camur vs. Justin Ledet; Brian Kelleher vs. Ode Osbourne; Sabina Mazo vs. JJ Aldrich
UFC 246: What you need to know
When is UFC 246?
Saturday, January 18, 2020
What time is UFC 246?
UFC 246’s main card begins at 10 p.m. ET
Preliminaries will begin at 8 p.m. ET
Early prelims begin at 6:15 p.m. ET
Where is UFC 246?
T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Where can I watch UFC 246?
The Notorious vs. Cowboy, along with the rest of the UFC 246 main card and early prelim fights, will be available on Pay Per View and ESPN+ streaming service. Sign up for ESPN+ now.
Where can I bet on UFC 246?
If you’re looking to place a sports bet on any of the fights within UFC 246 or have your eyes set on betting action on the McGregor vs. Cowboy fight, you can place your legal sports bet at BetMGM.
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
The best facts and figures about UFC 246, which features plenty of action outside of the Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone main event.
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a 12-fight main card set to air on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
Although the majority of focus is on the welterweight headliner (which has plenty of interesting numbers behind it), the remaining bouts offer a little of something for everyone, including another key women’s bantamweight rematch between [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) and [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC).
For more on the numbers behind UFC 246, check below for 45 pre-event facts.
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Co-main event
Holm is 2-5 in her past seven UFC appearances dating back to November 2015, when she won the UFC women’s bantamweight title.
Holm’s four consecutive losses in UFC title fights are the most for any female in company history.
Holm’s two head-kick knockout victories in UFC competition are the most of any female in company history.
Holm is one of seven fighters in UFC history to win a championship fight by head-kick knockout. She accomplished the feat at UFC 193.
Holm has been awarded three fight-night bonuses for UFC women’s bantamweight fights, the third most in divisional history behind Ronda Rousey (7) and Nunes (4).
Raquel Pennington
Pennington competes in her 12th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, tied with Nunes for the most appearances in divisional history.
Pennington’s seven victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Nunes (11).
Pennington’s two submission victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Rousey (3).
Pennington is one of six fighters in UFC history to earn a bulldog-choke submission victory. She accomplished the feat against Ashlee-Evans Smith at UFC 181.
Featured bout
Aleksei Oleinik
[autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (57-13-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC), 42, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC heavyweight division and is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
Oleinik becomes the first fighter in MMA history to have professional bouts across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s).
Oleinik’s average fight time of 5:01 in UFC heavyweight fights is fourth shortest in divisional history behind Cyril Asker (3:24), Todd Duffee (3:26) and Shane Carwin (4:55).
Oleinik has earned 53 of his 57 career victories by stoppage. That includes his past 16 wins, 11 of which have come in the first round.
Oleinik has earned 45 of his 57 career victories by submission. Of those stoppages, 37 have come in the first round.
Oleinik’s five submission victories in UFC heavyweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Frank Mir (8) and Stefan Struve (6).
Oleinik has earned both of the Ezekiel-choke submission victories in UFC history. He accomplished the feat at UFC 224 and UFC Fight Night 103.
Oleinik attempts 2.4 submissions per 15 minutes of fighting in UFC heavyweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.
[autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is one of two heavyweights in UFC history to earn a submission by triangle choke. Struve owns two wins with the technique.
Remaining main card
Claudia Gadelha
[autotag]Claudia Gadelha[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) competes in her 11th UFC strawweight bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind Randa Markos (13) and Angela Hill (12).
Gadelha’s six victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (9) and Jessica Andrade (7).
Gadelha has alternated wins and losses over her past five fights. She won her most recent bout at UFC 239 in July.
Gadelha’s 33 takedowns landed in UFC strawweight competition are tied with Carla Esparza for the most in divisional history.
Gadelha has been awarded three fight-night bonuses for UFC strawweight bouts, tied for the third most in divisional history behind Andrade (6) and Rose Namajunas (4).
[autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over her past six fights. She lost her most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 17 in September.
Anthony Pettis
[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (22-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past nine fights. Her lost his most recent bout at UFC 241 in August.
Pettis returns to the lightweight division for the first time since November 2018. He went 1-1 during his stint at welterweight.
Pettis is one of nine fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes.
Pettis is 4-7 in his past 11 UFC appearance dating back to when he lost the UFC lightweight title in March 2015.
Pettis has earned 18 of his 22 career victories by stoppage. That includes seven of his nine UFC wins.
Pettis’ five submission victories from a bottom position in UFC/WEC competition are tied with Diaz for most in combined company history.
[autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag]’s (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) five-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is the fifth longest active streak in the division behind Tony Ferguson (12), Khabib Nurmagomedov (11), Islam Makhachev (6) and Charles Oliveira (6).
Preliminary card
Roxanne Modafferi
[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] (23-16 MMA, 2-4 UFC) competes in her sixth UFC women’s flyweight bout, tied with Gillian Robertson for the most appearances in divisional history.
Modafferi is 8-5 since her initial UFC release in November 2013.
Modafferi has alternated wins and losses over her past six fights. She lost her most recent bout at UFC on ESPN 4 in July
Maycee Barber
[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), 21, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
Barber is 2-0 since she moved up to the UFC women’s flyweight division in March.
Barber has earned seven of her eight career victories by stoppage. She’s won all three of her UFC fights by knockout.
Barber’s three-fight knockout streak in UFC competition is tied with Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg for the longest such streak in women’s company history.
[autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has landed at least one knockdown against all four of his UFC opponents.
[autotag]Justin Ledet[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is 0-2 since he dropped to the UFC light heavyweight division in July.
Ledet’s 113 significant strikes landed against Chase Sherman at UFC Fight Night 92 are tied for the second most by any debuting UFC heavyweight behind Tim Sylvia’s 138 at UFC 39.
Tim Elliott
[autotag]Tim Elliott[/autotag] (15-9-1 MMA, 4-7 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights. He lost his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 19 in October.
Elliott is 2-3 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in December 2016.
Elliott’s 36 takedowns landed in UFC flyweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Demetrious Johnson (58) and Wilson Reis (44).
Elliott lands 63.2 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC flyweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.
[autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag] (19-10 MMA, 3-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Dec. 29, 2018. The 385-day layoff is the longest of his nearly nine-year career.
[autotag]J.J. Aldrich[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) is 1-1 since she moved up to the UFC women’s flyweight division in March.
Aldrich has earned all four of her UFC victories by decision.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Confident she won their first fight in 2015, Raquel Pennington is set on getting revenge against Holly Holm.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] doesn’t plan on going the distance with [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] at UFC 246.
After being edged out in their first meeting in 2015, Pennington wants to leave no doubt when she rematches Holm in the co-main event of Saturday’s pay-per-view on ESPN+.
“I don’t go to the judges for one,” Pennington said. “I have it in my head: Obviously I’m conditioned to go 15 minutes, but I have it in my head that max cap 14 minutes, and I mean, you have a boxer vs. a brawler, and that can become an ugly game, so I just plan to go out there and focus on my potential and everything that I’m capable of and just perform at my finest.”
Pennington (10-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) snapped a two-fight losing streak when she picked up a split decision win over rising contender Irene Aldana last July. Her two losses came to former UFC 145-pound champ Germaine de Randamie and a bantamweight title shot against Amanda Nunes in which Pennington was stopped in the fifth round at UFC 224.
Pennington hopes a win over former UFC bantamweight champion Holm will catapult her back into title contention.
“So when I beat Holly, yeah, I feel like it throws me back up there, and obviously my ultimate goal is to get back to that world title,” Pennington said. “I’ve had to overcome a few, climb a few mountains and stuff, and so I definitely think that fight sets me up for that.”
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Ever since she lost to Holm almost five years ago, Pennington has been eager to run things back. She’s confident that she won that fight and is looking forward to the opportunity to right that wrong.
“You know I’m super excited for this fight,” Pennington said. “It’s been a fight in the making for five years now. It’s been something that, I’ve been motivated since back in 2014 when she got her hand raised, so I’m just extremely excited. I’m more than ready. Back in October when she pulled out because of her injury, it was a little disappointing. But we’re here, and I’m ready.
“I’ve watched it a few times and stuff, and I’ve looked at things, and I think I won that fight. So, hey, this Saturday when it comes, I’m going to do everything to make sure I win this fight.”
UFC 246 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
To hear more from Pennington, watch the video above.
Go behind the scenes with Conor McGregor, Donald Cerrone and other big-name fighters as UFC 246 draws near.
The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the year takes place Saturday with UFC 246, and the promotion’s popular “Embedded” series returns to get you ready.
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
In the main event, former simultaneous featherweight and lightweight champion [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) returns after a 15-month absence to take on [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) in a welterweight bout. In the co-feature, former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) meets [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC).
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The third episode of “Embedded” follows the big-name stars at the top of the card as they arrive in Las Vegas. Here’s the UFC’s description:
On Episode 3 of UFC 246 Embedded, bantamweight Raquel Pennington and fiancée Tecia Torres do meal prep at home and compare weight-cutting moods. Headliner Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone trades pre-fight hijinks for family-friendly Las Vegas sightseeing. His opponent Conor McGregor joins forces with bantamweight Holly Holm at athlete check-in. And fight week obligations are underway for stars of the card including lightweight opponents Diego Ferreira and Anthony Pettis, plus strawweights Claudia Gadelha and Alexa Grasso. UFC 246 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the return of Conor McGregor on Saturday, January 18th. Order the Pay-Per-View at ESPNPlus.com/PPV
“If I wasn’t still trying to climb and fight for that belt then what would I be doing this sport for anyway?”
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] will not stop pursuing UFC gold.
Holm, the former bantamweight champion, failed to regain the 135-pound title last year when when she was finished in the first round by dual champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 239.
Prior to that, Holm attempted to capture the UFC featherweight title twice but fell short on both occasions to Germaine de Randamie and Cris Cyborg, respectively. Holm enters her first MMA rematch Saturday against former UFC 135-pound title challenger [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] in the co-main event.
Despite losing five of her last seven fight, Holm (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) is still trucking. And the way she looks at it, if she’s not aiming to be on top then what is she fighting for?
“If I wasn’t still trying to climb and fight for that belt then what would I be doing this sport for anyway?” Holm said. “I always say I’m not here for a participation ribbon. I’m here for the gold, and I’m going to work to get there, and every fight I take just as seriously as the next.
“Yes, it was heartbreaking to not be able to get that belt back in the summer, but I’m still cranking forward. I’m still moving forward, and I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have big dreams for myself. I would just walk away from it, so yeah, every fight I have is, to me, is eye on the prize always.”
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Holm’s first fight with Pennington came in her UFC debut at UFC 184 almost five years ago. Holm won the bout via split decision but is confident that she is a different fighter now.
“I honestly feel like I’ve really improved a lot from the first fight,” Holm said “When I was first, even having my first fight in the UFC, I was very new still to MMA, and you know I’d been doing boxing and MMA back and forth. So whenever I was having an MMA camp, that’s when I would train MMA and when I had boxing, I was only training boxing.
“I think I’m a completely different fighter from the first.”
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
To hear more from Holm, watch the full interview above.
2019 Champion*
