Tag: John Gooden

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.

* * * *

UFC Fight Night 226 commentary, broadcast plans set: Michael Bisping, Paul Felder get second straight assignments

Check out the commentary team and desk analyst lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 226 event in Paris.

The UFC closes its busy August schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 226, which goes down at Accor Arena in Paris.

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 225 commentary, broadcast plans set: Michael Bisping on call for podcast partner Anthony Smith

Michael Bisping will be on commentary when “Believe You Me” podcast partner Anthony Smith competes at UFC Fight Night 225.

The UFC schedule continues this week with UFC Fight Night 225 on Saturday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

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 224 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Michael Bisping calls fights on native soil

The broadcast team is set for UFC Fight Night 224, and Michael Bisping will return to England to call the action on his native soil.

The UFC schedule continues this week with UFC Fight Night 224 on Saturday at The O2 in London.

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.

* * * *