Tag: John Gooden

UFC Fight Night 255: How to watch Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady, start time, London fight card, odds, more (Updated)

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC Fight Night 255 on ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC is back in one of the world’s most iconic cities Saturday with UFC Fight Night 255 in London.

Here’s how to watch UFC Fight Night 255 with a British former champion in the headlining spot, and a Polish ex-champ in the co-feature.

Broadcast and streaming info

UFC Fight Night 255 has a main card that starts at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+</a. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at noon ET.

Veteran broadcaster [autotag]Karyn Bryant[/autotag] serves as desk anchor and host at UFC Fight Night 255.

Coach [autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] will join her at the desk as an analyst on the post-fight show and throughout the broadcast, if necessary.

[autotag]John Gooden[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC Fight Night 255.

He’ll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] and retired lightweight contender [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag].

(Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

John Gooden, Paul Felder, Michael Bisping

Main event: Leon Edwards

Record: 22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC
Opponent: Sean Brady (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman (twice), Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson, Vicente Luque
Misc.: Edwards is back for the first time since he lost the welterweight title to Belal Muhammad in the UFC 304 main event this past July. He was set to take on Jack Della Maddalena this week, but Maddalena was shifted to – perhaps adding insult to injury for Edwards – a title fight at UFC 315 against Muhammad.

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Leon Edwards (red gloves) fights Colby Covington (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Main event: Sean Brady

Record: 17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC
Opponent: Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Gilbert Burns, Kelvin Gastelum, Michael Chiesa, Jake Matthews
Misc.: Brady suffered the lone loss of his career to current champ Muhammad about 30 months ago. His road back to contention has featured just one fight in 2023 – a bonus-winning submission of Gastelum – and one in 2024, a decision over Burns. A win over a former champ ion Edwards would be a big line on his resume.

Sean Brady

Co-main event: Jan Blachowicz

Record: 29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC
Opponent: Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Aleksandar Rakic, Israel Adesanya, Dominick Reyes, Corey Anderson, Ronaldo Souza, Luke Rockhold, Jared Cannonier
Misc.: It’s been a lengthy layoff for ex-champ Blachowicz, who won the title in 2020 and defended it once before he lost it to Glover Teixeira. He’s been climbing back since then, including a draw in a vacant title fight. But after a close loss to Alex Pereira, he’s been on the sidelines for nearly two years following shoulder surgery.

Jul 29, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jan Blachowicz (red gloves) fights Alex Pereira (blue gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Co-main event: Carlos Ulberg

Record: 12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC
Opponent: Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Volkan Oezdemir, Alonzo Menifield
Misc.: Since a 2021 loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu, it’s been all upward trajectory for Ulberg with seven straight wins, including five finishes and a pair of bonuses. He’s got his most accomplished and arguably toughest test yet in ex-champ Blachowicz, and a win certainly would have him into the title picture.

Carlos Ulberg def. Alonzo Menifield, UFC on ESPN 56 (via UFC)

UFC debut: Alexia Thainara

Record: 11-1
Opponent: Molly McCann (14-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Misc.: The 27-year-old from Brazil is stepping in on short notice for Istela Nunes to take on “Meatball” Molly. She beat Rose Conceicao by decision on DWCS on the way to her official debut.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 24: (R-L) Alexia Thainara of Brazil punches Rose Conceicao of Brazil in a strawweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week seven at UFC APEX on September 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

UFC debut: Andrey Pulyaev

Record: 9-2
Opponent: Christian Leroy Duncan (10-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Misc.: 27-year-old Russian brings 6-foot-4 height and big reach to middleweight. His debut comes on the heels of a DWCS decision win this past August.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 27: (L-R) Andrey Pulyaev of Russia kicks Liam Anderson in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week three on August 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

UFC Fight Night 255 main card betting odds

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)

  • Leon Edwards +130 vs. Sean Brady -155
  • Jan Blachowicz +195 vs. Carlos Ulberg -240
  • Kevin Holland +120 vs. Gunnar Nelson -140
  • Molly McCann +150 vs. Alexia Thainara -185
  • Chris Duncan +280 vs. Jordan Vucenic -380
  • Morgan Charriere -185 vs. Nathaniel Wood +155
Molly McCann

UFC Fight Night 255 prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, noon ET)

  • Jai Herbert -115 vs. Chris Padilla -105
  • Felipe dos Santos vs +320. Lone’er Kavanagh -410
  • Mick Parkin +120 vs. Marcin Tybura -140
  • Christian Leroy Duncan -650 vs. Andrey Pulyaev +425
  • Shauna Bannon -180 vs. Puja Tomar +150
  • Nathan Fletcher -155 vs. Caolan Loughran +130
  • Kaue Fernandes +330 vs. Guram Kutateladze -425
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Shauna Bannon of Ireland reacts after her victory against Alice Ardelean of Romania in a strawweight bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

UFC Fight Night 255 preview videos

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

UFC Fight Night 250: How to watch Adesanya vs. Imavov, Saudi Arabia lineup, odds, more (Updated)

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC Fight Night 250 on ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC’s return to the Middle East is set for Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Here’s how to watch UFC Fight Night 250 with a former middleweight champion at the top of the card at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Broadcast and streaming info

John Gooden, Laura Sanko, Paul Felder at UFC Fight Night 233

UFC Fight Night 250 has a main card that begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) on ESPN+. The preliminary card streams on on ESPN+ at 9 a.m. ET.

Veteran broadcaster [autotag]Dan Hellie[/autotag] serves as desk anchor and host at UFC Fight Night 250.

UFC Hall of Famer and former middleweight champion [autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] and retired welterweight [autotag]Alan Jouban[/autotag] join him as analysts at the desk.

UFC correspondent [autotag]McKenzie Pavacich[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC Fight Night 250 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

[autotag]John Gooden[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC Fight Night 250.

He’ll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by retired lightweight contender [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag], as well as [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag], who becomes the first female to do cageside commentary on an MMA event in Saudi Arabia.

(Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

Main event: Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya

Record: 24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC
Opponent: Nassourdine Imavov (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Alex Pereira, Jared Cannonier, Robert Whittaker (twice), Marvin Vettori (twice), Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, Anderson Silva, Derek Brunson
Misc.: Adesanya will be trying to snap the first skid of his career. After he won the middleweight title back from Alex Pereira, he dropped it to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. After 11 months away, he returned to challenge current champ Dricus du Plessis for the belt and was submitted in the fourth round.

Main event: Nassourdine Imavov

Nassourdine Imavov def. Jared Cannonier, UFC on ESPN 57

Record: 15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC
Opponent: Israel Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, Joaquin Buckley
Misc.: Imavov has three straight wins and a well-rounded resume that includes six knockouts, four submissions and five decisions in his 15 career wins.

Co-main event: Shara Magomedov

Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

Record: 15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC
Opponent: Michael Page (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Armen Petrosyan
Misc.: Shara “Bullet” has three straight post-fight bonus awards. All of his UFC fights have been in either Abu Dhabi or Saudi Arabia.

Co-main event: Michael Page

Michael Page

Record: 22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC
Opponent: Shara Magomedov (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Kevin Holland, Goiti Yamauchi, Douglas Lima, Paul Daley
Misc.: After more than a decade in Bellator, “MVP” came to the UFC and won his debut against Kevin Holland, but got outworked by Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 this past June. This is a one-off fight at middleweight, Page said – he still plans on fighting at welterweight in the future.

UFC debut: Hamdy Abdelwahab

Jul 30, 2022; Dallas, TX, USA; Hamdy Abdelwahab (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Don’Tale Mayes (not pictured) with a split decision in a heavyweight bout during UFC 277 at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 3-0
Opponent: Jamal Pogues (11-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Misc.: Egypt’s Abdelwahab made his promotional debut at UFC 277 with a win over Don’Tale Mayes in July 2022. But that was flipped to a no contest when he failed a drug test. He was scheduled to fight Parker Porter later in 2022, but withdrew. This will be his first MMA action in 2.5 years.

UFC Fight Night 250 main card betting odds

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, noon ET)

  • Israel Adesanya -175 vs. Nassourdine Imavov +145
  • Shara Magomedov -190 vs. Michael Page +160
  • Sergei Pavlovich -320 vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik +250
  • Said Nurmagomedov -185 vs. Vinicius Oliveira +155
  • Mike Davis -140 vs. Fares Ziam +120

UFC Fight Night 250 prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 9 a.m. ET)

  • Muhammad Naimov -270 vs. Kaan Ofli +220
  • Shamil Gaziev -380 vs. Thomas Petersen +275
  • Damir Hadzovic +275 vs. Terrance McKinney -370
  • Mayra Bueno Silva +185 vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius -225
  • Lucas Alexander +100 vs. Bogdan Grad -120
  • Hamdy Abdelwahab -110 vs. Jamal Pogues -110

UFC Fight Night 250 preview videos

Commentator John Gooden signs new UFC contract with ‘certain pledges’

John Gooden is here to stay as one of the voices of the UFC.

[autotag]John Gooden[/autotag] is here to stay as one of the voices of the UFC.

Gooden, who has served as one of the UFC’s premier play-by-play commentators in rotation with Jon Anik and Brendan Fitzgerald, recently inked a new multiyear contract extension to continue his role.

After breaking into the space as a commentator for Cage Warriors, Gooden called his first UFC event in March 2014. He’s been a mainstay since and is proud his work was validated in the form of a new deal.

“I’m never presumptuous, but I feel like I have a good working relationship with the UFC, with the team,” Gooden told MMA Junkie. “I’ve learned how they like to do business. You guys might notice in the last year-and-a-half or so, I’ve been working stateside. That was a big commitment on their part to fly me out as much as they have done. And peeling back the curtain a little bit, I was spending a lot of time between shows over the last five years or so, it might have been six or nine months between commentary calls.

“I might get to do some reporting, maybe a desk gig. Commentary is a bit of a monster and a beast unto itself. If I’m out of rhythm, I’m obviously going to be a bit more tactful on the producers. I feel like that was one of the reasons they were trying to get me stateside. And of course they are sympathetic to me trying to put food on the table. Really happy. I love working with the UFC.”

[lawrence-related id=2800959,2800972]

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic throwing the UFC’s schedule and event layout into disarray, Gooden found himself with a less frequent lineup of obligations. The decrease in international events and increase in cards located at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas created some challenges, but Gooden said things are looking promising going into the new year.

Gooden already has commentary gigs lined up for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia (ESPN+), UFC Fight Night 251 in Las Vegas on Feb. 15, then UFC Fight Night 255 in London on March 22 over the first quarter of 2025.

Consistency is something Gooden said is a crucial in delivering his best product for the audience, so he has high hopes for what’s to come with the UFC making its commitment to him.

“They’ve made certain pledges to me in this contract,” Gooden said. “I’m going to be involved probably the same amount as I was last year. I think the guys really do a good job of spreading out all the responsibilities and the assignments over a yearly period. Really tricky job. Obviously we all want to be on as many big cards, interesting cards – whatever it might be. I’m happy to help out wherever and in whatever capacity.

“What a gig it might be for our overlords to take a view of everyone who holds a microphone for the UFC and say, ‘Let’s put him there or her there.’ I trust them that they’ll make all the decisions and have our best interests in minds so that we can all stay within a good amount of reps to deliver the highest quality possible, which is what the UFC expect from us and, of course, what the fans expect.

“Being part of the UFC is absolutely massive. I’m really happy. Let’s go again. Let’s see if we can get to 20 years. I thought 10 was going to be a big of a grasp, but this is Year 11. I’ve managed this far, so why not?”

Check out the video above as Gooden and MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn discuss his new contract and the top storylines in a loaded February UFC schedule on “The Bohnfire” podcast.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 250.

UFC 308: How to watch Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway title fight, Abu Dhabi lineup, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC 308 on pay-per-view and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC’s 12th pay-per-view event of 2024 goes down Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.

Here’s how to watch UFC 308 with the featherweight title on the line at the top of the card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Broadcast and streaming info

Jon Anik, Paul Felder, Daniel Cormier

UFC 308 has a main card that begins at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) on pay-per-view (via ESPN+). The nine-fight preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at 10 a.m. ET.

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag], [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] and [autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] will serve as a desk analysts on the UFC 308 post-fight show and throughout the card, when necessary. [autotag]Brendan Fitzgerald[/autotag] will serve as the host.

[autotag]John Gooden[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 308 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside.

He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators and UFC Hall of Famer Cormier and Felder.

(Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

Main event: Ilia Topuria

Jun 24, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Ilia Topuria (blue gloves) leaves the ring after he wins a unanimous decision against Josh Emmett (red gloves) in a featherweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC
Opponent: Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Key wins: Alexander Volkanovski, Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell
Misc.: Knocked out Volkanovski, who has three wins over Holloway, to win the title in February. Bonuses in four straight fights.

Main event: Max Holloway

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Max Holloway (blue gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC
Opponent: Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Key wins: Justin Gaethje, Chan Sung Jung, Arnold Allen, Yair Rodriguez, Calvin Kattar, Frankie Edgar, Brian Ortega, Jose Aldo (twice), Charles Oliveira
Misc.: Has three straight wins since his third shot at Volkanovski in July 2022. His “BMF” win over Justin Gaethje was a double bonus winner and regarded as one of the greatest moments in MMA history. Holloway’s title run was one of the greatest, but it’s been nearly five years since he held the featherweight belt.

Co-main event: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman, UFC 294

Record: 13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC
Opponent: Robert Whittaker (27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Kamaru Usman, Kevin Holland, Gilbert Burns, Li Jingliang
Misc.: Chimaev is back for the first time in a year. A severe illness took him out of the fight in June.

Co-main event: Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker def. Ikram Aliskerov, UFC on ABC 6

Record: 27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC
Opponent: Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Ikram Aliskerov, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Kelvin Gastelum, Jared Cannonier, Darren Till, Yoel Romero (twice), Ronaldo Souza, Derek Brunson
Misc.: Former champ has back-to-back wins over Costa and Aliskerov, the latter of which was a bonus-winning first-round knockout in June after Chimaev pulled out of their fight.

UFC debut: Carlos Leal

2023 PFL 9: New York at the The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Cooper Neill / PFL)

Record: 21-5
Opponent: Rinat Fakhretdinov (22-1-1 MMA, 4-0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Dilano Taylor, Ray Cooper III
Misc.: 30-year-old Brazilian has fought for Bellator and in two PFL seasons.

UFC debut: Raffael Cerqueira

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBTcZwBJg5R

Record: 11-0
Opponent: Ibo Aslan (13-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Misc.: 34-year-old Brazilian was supposed to fight on DWCS in September, but two opponents pulled out on him. When he was booked a third time, the opportunity came to just skip the line and go straight to the show against Aslan.

UFC 308 main card betting odds

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic, UFC 308

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 2 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Ilia Topuria (-245) vs. Max Holloway (+200) – for featherweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev (-220) vs. Robert Whittaker (+180)
  • Magomed Ankalaev (-390) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (+290)
  • Dan Ige (+165) vs. Lerone Murphy (-195)
  • Shara Magomedov (-175) vs. Armen Petrosyan (+145)

UFC 308 prelim betting odds

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 16: (R-L) Chris Barnett punches Martin Buday of Slovakia in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET)

  • Ibo Aslan (-120) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (+100)
  • Rafael dos Anjos (+235) vs. Geoff Neal (-290)
  • Myktybek Orolbai (-280) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+230)
  • Brunno Ferreira (+125) vs. Abus Magomedov (-150)
  • Chris Barnett (+400) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (-550)
  • Farid Basharat (-550) vs. Victor Hugo (+375)
  • Ismail Naurdiev (-120) vs. Bruno Silva (+100)
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov (N/A) vs. Carlos Leal (N/A)

UFC 308 preview videos

 

UFC Fight Night 243: How to watch Renato Moicano vs. Benoit Saint Denis, start time, Paris fight card, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC Fight Night 243 on ESPN+.

After a week off, the UFC is back for its latest visit to the “City of Lights” with ranked lightweights at the top of the lineup.

Here’s how to watch UFC Fight Night 243 with 155-pounders in the headlining spot, plus middleweights in the co-feature in Paris.

Broadcast and streaming info

John Gooden, Dominick Cruz, Michael Bisping

UFC Fight Night 243 has a main card that starts at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at noon ET.

Veteran broadcaster [autotag]Karyn Bryant[/autotag] serves as desk anchor and host at UFC Fight Night 243.

Former light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] and retired lightweight veteran [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] join her as analysts at the desk for pre-fight coverage.

UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] joins Bryant and Smith at the desk for post-fight coverage.

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Heidi Androl[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC Fight Night 243 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

[autotag]John Gooden[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC Fight Night 243.

He’ll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by retired former middleweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer Bisping, as well as Felder.

(Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

Main event: Renato Moicano

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Renato Moicano (blue gloves) fights Jalin Turner (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC
Opponent: Benoit Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Jalin Turner, Drew Dober, Brad Riddell, Alexander Hernandez, Cub Swanson, Calvin Kattar
Misc.: Moicano, a Brazilian who trains at American Top Team in Florida, has not fought outside the U.S. since just before the pandemic – a 44-second submission of Damir Hadzovic in Brazil.

Main event: Benoit Saint Denis

Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC
Opponent: Renato Moicano (19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Matt Frevola, Thiago Moises, Ismael Bonfim, Gabriel Miranda
Misc.: This is Saint Denis’ favorite time of year: UFC Paris week. The promotion’s first two visits to his capital city resulted in $50,000 stoppage bonuses for him.

Co-main event: Brendan Allen

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 06: (L-R) Brendan Allen punches Chris Curtis in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Record: 24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC
Opponent: Nassourdine Imavov (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Chris Curtis, Paul Craig, Bruno Silva,
Misc.: Allen has been an RNC machine during his current streak. Five of his seven straight wins have been by rear-naked chokes, including three for $50,000 bonuses.

Co-main event: Nassourdine Imavov

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Nassourdine Imavov of Russia punches Roman Dolidze of Georgia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Record: 14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC
Opponent: Brendan Allen (24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan
Misc.: It’s a home game for Russia’s Imavov, who lives and trains in France. Remarkably, Imavov has been favored against eight straight opponents (including a bout with Kelvin Gastelum that was canceled twice) – and three have been future champions or former or future title challengers.

UFC debut: Ivan Erslan

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9iJ3mcuosP/?img_index=1

Record: 14-3
Opponent: Ion Cutelaba (17-10-1 MMA, 6-9-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Misc.: 32-year-old Croatian has 11 of his 14 wins by stoppage.

UFC Fight Night 243 main card betting odds

Sep 2, 2023; Paris, France; William Gomis (red gloves) fights Yanis Ghemmouri (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)

  • Renato Moicano (+220) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (-270)
  • Brendan Allen (+175) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (-210)
  • Joanderson Brito (-260) vs. William Gomis (+210)
  • Bryan Battle (-150) vs. Kevin Jousset (+125)
  • Morgan Charriere (-550) vs. Gabriel Miranda (+400)
  • Matt Frevola (-125) vs. Fares Ziam (+105)

UFC Fight Night 243 prelim betting odds

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 01: Ailin Perez of Argentina celebrates defeating Joselyne Edwards of Panama in their bantamweight bout during UFC 302 at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, noon ET)

  • Ion Cutelaba (-125) vs. Ivan Erslan (+105)
  • Da Woon Jung (+350) vs. Oumar Sy (-450)
  • Ludovit Klein (-700) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (+500)
  • Taylor Lapilus (-355) vs. Vince Morales (+280)
  • Ailin Perez (-260) vs. Darya Zheleznyakova (+210)
  • Victor Altamirano (+115) vs. Daniel Barez (-145)
  • Jacqueline Cavalcanti (-195) vs. Nora Cornolle (+155)
  • Chris Duncan (+160) vs. Bolaji Oki (-190)

UFC Fight Night 243 preview videos

UFC on ESPN 55: How to watch Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez, start time, Las Vegas fight card, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC on ESPN 55, featuring Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez, on ESPN and ESPN+.

After a week off, the UFC is back on its home turf with a pair of flyweights at the top of the bill.

Here’s how to watch UFC on ESPN 55 with 125-pounders in the headlining spot, plus light heavyweights in the co-feature.

UFC Fight Night 235 commentary team set: Laura Sanko gets first assignment of 2024

The commentary team for UFC Fight Night 235 on Saturday is set, including Laura Sanko’s first appearance cageside this year.

The UFC opens its February schedule Saturday with UFC Fight Night 235, which goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there in “Sin City” to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will work as commentators and analysts for each event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the situation, and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

* * * *

UFC Fight Night 233 commentary, broadcast plans set: Laura Sanko returns to booth

Check out the broadcast details for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 233, which has a late start and has Laura Sanko on the call.

The UFC wraps up its November schedule Saturday with UFC Fight Night 233, which goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there in “Sin City” to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will work as commentators and analysts for each event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the situation, and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

* * * *

UFC Fight Night 229 commentary, broadcast plans set: John Gooden leads call in Las Vegas

John Gooden will get a leading play-by-play assignment on U.S. soil for UFC Fight Night 229 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

The UFC closes its September schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 229, which goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will work as commentators and analysts for each event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the situation, and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

* * * *

UFC Fight Night 228 commentary, broadcast plans set: Two former champs on call

The broadcast team is set for UFC Fight Night 228, the UFC’s final event of September.

The UFC closes its September schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 228, which goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will work as commentators and analysts for each event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the situation, and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

* * * *