Tag: Laura Sanko

UFC 314: How to watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, start time, Miami fight card, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC 314 on pay-per-view, ESPN and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC is back in South Florida this week with UFC 314 in Miami.

Here’s how to watch UFC 314 with the newly vacant featherweight title on the line at the top of the card.

Broadcast and streaming info

Megan Olivi, UFC 284

UFC 314 has a main card that starts at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view via ESPN+. The preliminary card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, and early prelims stream on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Megan Olivi[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 314 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

[autotag]Dan Hellie[/autotag] will host the official UFC 314 weigh-in show on Friday at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT.

He’ll be joined by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag], former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] and [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag].

Former interim UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag], two-time UFC title challenger [autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] and light heavyweight [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] will serve as desk analysts on the UFC 314 post-fight show and throughout the card, when necessary.

[autotag]Brett Okamoto[/autotag] will serve as desk host with [autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] joining the desk post-fight.

Anik will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC 314.

He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators, former two-division UFC champion Cormier and [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag].

[autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] will also contribute to the broadcast as a coach-analyst.

(Mike Bohn—MMA Junkie)

Main event: Alexander Volkanovski

Record: 26-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC
Opponent: Diego Lopes (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Key wins: Yair Rodriguez, Max Holloway (three times), Chan Sung Jung, Brian Ortega, Jose Aldo
Misc.: It’s been a rough past couple years for the former champ, but he still finds himself right back in a title fight. He lost two lightweight title shots to Islam Makhachev – the second of which came on short notice. Then he lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria. But Topuria is headed to lightweight and vacated the belt, so who better than to have a crack at it than the ex-champ, the UFC brass figured.

Main event: Diego Lopes

Record: 27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC
Opponent: Alexander Volkanovski (26-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Key wins: Brian Ortega, Dan Ige, Sodiq Yusuff, Pat Sabatini
Misc.: Lopes’ win over ex-title challenger Ortega this past fall put him in perfect position to get the call when Topuria moved up and the featherweight belt became open.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, UFC 314 news conference

Co-main event: Michael Chandler

Record: 23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC
Opponent: Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Tony Ferguson, Dan Hooker, Benson Henderson (twice in Bellator), Patricky Freire (twice in Bellator), Eddie Alvarez (2011 in Bellator)
Misc.: Has lost four of five, but remains a fan favorite for his willingness to sacrifice blood and perhaps future coherence in the name of entertainment. For that reason, title contention remains ever-present with a win. But a loss to Pimblett would push him toward that on-the-way-out territory experienced by Tony Ferguson, Donald Cerrone and others – fun at the dance, sure, but no longer a candidate for prom king.

Co-main event: Paddy Pimblett

Record: 22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC
Opponent: Michael Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: King Green, Tony Ferguson
Misc.: Former Cage Warriors champion has been perfect since his arrival to the UFC, and all four of his stoppage wins in the promotion have come with post-fight bonuses attached.

UFC debut: Patricio Freire

Record: 36-7
Opponent: Yair Rodriguez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Key wins: Adam Borics, A.J. McKee, Emmanuel Sanchez, Michael Chandler
Misc.: Former two-division Bellator champion “Pitbull” Freire finally arrives in the UFC. He’s regarded as the best fighter in Bellator history – and even challenged for the bantamweight title there less than two years ago, meaning he has the potential to play around in three divisions.

UFC 314 main card betting odds

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Alexander Volkanovski -150 vs. Diego Lopes +125 – for vacant featherweight title
  • Michael Chandler +135 vs. Paddy Pimblett -160
  • Bryce Mitchell +260 vs. Jean Silva -325
  • Patricio Freire +165 vs. Yair Rodriguez -200
  • Nikita Krylov -200 vs. Dominick Reyes +165

UFC 314 prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Dan Ige +130 vs. Sean Woodson -155
  • Virna Jandiroba -150 vs. Yan Xiaonan +125
  • Chase Hooper -700 vs. Jim Miller +500
  • Darren Elkins +285 vs. Julian Erosa -360

UFC 314 early prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Sedriques Dumas +160 vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk -190
  • Su Mudaerji -220 vs. Mitch Raposo +180
  • Tresean Gore +260 vs. Marco Tulio -325
  • Nora Cornolle -175 vs. Hailey Cowan +145

UFC 314 preview videos

 

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

UFC on ESPN 64: How to watch Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg, start time, Mexico City fight card, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC on ESPN 64 on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC is back in Mexico for the second straight year Saturday with UFC on ESPN 64 in Mexico City.

Here’s how to watch UFC on ESPN 64 with a former flyweight champion in the headlining spot against a recent title challenger.

Broadcast and streaming info

UFC on ESPN 64 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]Dan Hellie[/autotag] serves as desk anchor and host at UFC on ESPN 64.

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] and retired veteran welterweight [autotag]Alan Jouban[/autotag] join him at the desk as analysts at the desk.

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Megan Olivi[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC on ESPN 64 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 at UFC on ESPN 64.

He’ll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] and [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag].

It’s the second time the trio has called a UFC event and first time since UFC 293 in September 2023.

(Mike Bohn—MMA Junkie)

Jon Anik, Laura Sanko, Daniel Cormier | UFC 293 commentary team

Main event: Brandon Moreno

Record: 23-8-2 MMA, 11-4-2 UFC
Opponent: Steve Erceg (12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Key wins: Amir Albazi, Deiveson Figueiredo (twice), Kai Kara-France (twice), Brandon Royval
Misc.: Two-time flyweight champ Moreno got back on track in November with a win over Amir Albazi. He had back-to-back split decision losses to current champ Alexandre Pantoja, in which he lost the title, and Brandon Royval. The loss to Royval came in a Mexico City headliner a little more than a year ago.

Brandon Moreno

Main event: Steve Erceg

Record: 12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC
Opponent: Brandon Moreno (23-8-2 MMA, 11-4-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Key wins: Matt Schnell
Misc.: Like Moreno, Erceg’s two-fight skid started with a loss to the current champ, Pantoja, in a May 2024 title fight. His shot at getting back on track was derailed in the first round by Kai Kara-France this past August with a knockout at UFC 305 – the first time Erceg was finished.

May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) fights against Steve Erceg (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Co-main event: Drew Dober

Record: 27-14 MMA, 13-10 UFC
Opponent: Manuel Torres (15-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Ricky Glenn, King Green, Terrance McKinney, Alexander Hernandez
Misc.: Dober has back-to-back losses and setbacks in three of his past four fights, though he also has a pair of bonuses in there – the seventh and eighth of his lengthy UFC tenure.

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Drew Dober (red gloves) bleeds from above his eye while fighting Jean Silva (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Co-main event: Manuel Torres

Record: 15-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC
Opponent: Drew Dober (27-14 MMA, 13-10 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Chris Duncan
Misc.: Torres delivered last year in front of his home fans in Mexico with a first-round submission of Chris Duncan for a post-fight bonus. But at UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas this past September, he was knocked out by Ignacio Bahamondes and had his six-fight winning streak snapped.

Manuel Torres def. Chris Duncan, UFC Fight Night 237

UFC debut: David Martinez

Record: 11-1
Opponent: Saimon Oliveira (18-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Misc.: Martinez won on DWCS in October to get a contract, and he’ll put it to use for the first time in front of his home fans in Mexico. The former Combate Global champion has nine of his 11 wins by knockout.

UFC debut: Ateba Gautier

Record: 6-1
Opponent: Jose Daniel Medina (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Misc.: The 22-year-old from Cameroon had a second-round knockout on DWCS this past September to punch his ticket. Five of his six wins have been by knockout, and they happen to be his last five straight – including four in the opening round.

UFC on ESPN 64 main card betting odds

MAIN CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Brandon Moreno -245 vs. Steve Erceg +200
  • Drew Dober -120 vs. Manuel Torres +100
  • Kelvin Gastelum +250 vs. Joe Pyfer -310
  • Vince Morales +370 vs. Raul Rosas Jr. -485
  • David Martinez -410 vs. Saimon Oliveira +320
  • Kevin Borjas +125 vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez -150

UFC on ESPN 64 prelim betting odds

Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Loopy Godinez (blue gloves) celebrates beating Tabatha Ricci (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Edgar Chairez -260 vs. CJ Vergara +210
  • Ateba Gautier -440 vs. Jose Daniel Medina +340
  • Melquizael Costa +140 vs. Christian Rodriguez -170
  • Loopy Godinez -265 vs. Julia Polastri +215
  • Rafa Garcia -485 vs. Vinc Pichel +370/li>
  • Jamall Emmers -375 vs. Gabriel Miranda +295
  • Austin Hubbard +145 vs. MarQuel Mederos -165

UFC on ESPN 64 preview videos

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.

UFC 313: How to watch Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev title fight, Las Vegas lineup, odds, more (Updated)

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC 313 on pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+ and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC’s third pay-per-view event of 2024 goes down Saturday in “Sin City.”

Here’s how to watch UFC 313 with the light heavyweight title on the line at the top of the card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Broadcast and streaming info

UFC 313 has a main card that begins at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on pay-per-view (via ESPN+). The four-fight preliminary card airs on ESPNews and streams on Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET. One early prelim – two fights were canceled on fight day, just hours before the event, due to illnesses – stream on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Megan Olivi[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 313 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

[autotag]Dan Hellie[/autotag] will host the official UFC 313 weigh-in show on Friday.

He’ll be joined by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag], former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] and [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag].

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC 313.

He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators, former two-division UFC champion Cormier and [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag], who calls his second event of 2025 after appearing at UFC 311 in January.

[autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] will also contribute to the broadcast as a coach-analyst.

Jon Anik

Main event: Alex Pereira

Record: 12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC
Opponent: Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Khalil Rountree, Jir Prochazka (twice), Jamahal Hill, Jan Blachowicz, Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland
Misc.: Pereira is stepping in for his fifth title fight in around 16 months – an extraordinarily busy pace compared to UFC champions throughout history.

Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Khalil Rountree Jr. (not pictured) in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Main event: Magomed Ankalaev

Record: 20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC
Opponent: Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Aleksandar Rakic, Johnny Walker, Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, Volkan Oezdemir
Misc.: Ankalaev worked his way back to a title shot after a draw with Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title in December 2022. His 2024 wins over Rakic and Walker got him back in the mix.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 13: Magomed Ankalaev of Russia battles Johnny Walker of Brazil in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on January 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Co-main event: Rafael Fiziev

Record: 12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC
Opponent: Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Riddell, King Green, Renato Moicano
Misc.: After a six-fight winning streak that included five post-fight bonuses, Fiziev had his momentum stopped by Gaethje just short of two years ago by majority decision in a Fight of the Night winner. An injury led him to a second straight loss in 2023. Now he’s stepping up on short notice for an injured Dan Hooker and a shot to avenge a loss.

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev, UFC 286

Co-main event: Justin Gaethje

Record: 25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC
Opponent: Rafael Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Dustin Poirier, Rafael Fiziev, Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza
Misc.: Gaethje has 13 UFC fights and 13 UFC post-fight bonuses. He didn’t get bonuses in title fight losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 or Charles Oliveira in 2022, but caught back up with double bonuses at two events.

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev, UFC 286

UFC debut: Djorden Santos

Record: 10-1
Opponent: Ozzy Diaz (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Misc.: The 27-year-old from Brazil started his career with six straight stoppages in his wins, but has his past three by decision – including one on DWCS this past September that led to his UFC contract.

UFC 313 main card betting odds

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Alex Pereira -115 vs. Magomed Ankalaev -105 – for light heavyweight title
  • Rafael Fiziev -160 vs. Justin Gaethje +135
  • Ignacio Bahamondes -130 vs. Jalin Turner +110
  • Amanda Lemos +120 vs. Iasmin Lucindo -140
  • King Green +360 vs. Mauricio Ruffy -525
Amanda Lemos, UFC Sao Paulo

UFC 313 prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/Disney+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Rei Tsuruya +140 vs. Joshua Van -170
  • Brunno Ferreira +120 vs. Armen Petrosyan -140
  • Carlos Leal -800 vs. Alex Morono +475
  • Francis Marshall +220 vs. Mairon Santos -270
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Curtis Blaydes reacts after defeating Jailton Almeida during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 313 early prelim betting odds

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

  • Ozzy Diaz -195 vs. Djorden Santos +165

UFC 313 preview videos

UFC 313 full fight videos

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

UFC 311: How to watch pair of title fights, Los Angeles lineup, odds, more (updated)

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC 311 on pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+ and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC’s first pay-per-view of 2025 is set for Saturday just outside Los Angeles. Here’s how to watch UFC 311 with the bantamweight and lightweight titles on the line at the top of the card at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

Broadcast and streaming info

UFC 311 has a main card that begins at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on pay-per-view (via ESPN+). The four-fight preliminary card airs on ESPNews and streams on Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET. Five early prelims stream on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC 311. He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators and UFC Hall of Famer Cormier and [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag].

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Megan Olivi[/autotag] will conduct pre- and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 311 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.

[autotag]Dan Hellie[/autotag] will host the official UFC 311 weigh-in show on Friday.

He’ll be joined by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag], former middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] and UFC commentator [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag].

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC 311.

He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators, former two-division UFC champion Cormier and [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag].

[autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] will also contribute to the broadcast as a coach-analyst.

Former UFC title challenger [autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] and former UFC light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] will serve as a desk analysts on the UFC 311 post-fight show and throughout the card, when necessary.

[autotag]Brett Okamoto[/autotag] will serve as the host, with Anik and Olivi set to contribute, as well. (Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

Main event: Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Record: 26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC
Opponent: Renato Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Charles Oliveira, Dan Hoooker, Arman Tsarukyan (2019)
Misc.: Makhachev has showed no signs of his dominance waning since he won the lightweight title in 2022. He was set to fight Arman Tsarukyan, whom he holds a 2019 win over, until weigh-ins day – when Tsarukyan pulled out.

Main event: Renato Moicano

Record: 20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC
Opponent: Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Benoit Saint Denis, Jalin Turner, Drew Dober, Brad Riddell, Cub Swanson, Calvin Kattar
Misc.: Moicano was in the right place at the right time. He hit 155 pounds on the button at weigh-ins, so when Arman Tsarukyan pulled out, he stepped up for a title shot on just a day’s notice instead of a fight against Beneil Dariush.

Co-main event: Merab Dvalishvili

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Record: 18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC
Opponent: Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Key wins: Sean O’Malley, Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, Jose Aldo
Misc.: After decision wins over ex-champs Aldo, Yan and Cejudo, Dvalishvili beat Sean O’Malley for the belt after O’Malley had taken it from his teammate and friend, Aljamain Sterling. But he’s a sizable underdog for his first attempted defense.

Co-main event: Umar Nurmagomedov

Record: 18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC
Opponent: Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Key wins: Cory Sandhagen, Raoni Barcelos, Nate Maness
Misc.: Nurmagomedov will attempt to become the latest in his family and on his famed team to win a major MMA title – right before teammate Islam Makhachev defends his belt.

UFC debut: Billy Elekana

Billy Elekana

Record: 7-1
Opponent: Bogdan Guskov (16-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Misc.: Elekana will get his big shot on short notice as a replacement for Johnny Walker. His well-rounded resume includes appearances in the PFL and LFA.

UFC debut: Azamat Bekoev

https://www.instagram.com/p/DExyfDbRLf1

Record: 18-3
Opponent: Zach Reese (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Misc.: Bekoev was told a while back he was on Mick Maynard’s short list for a call-up after his recent 4-0 run in the LFA. When Sedriques Dumas dropped out on less than a week’s notice, Bekoev got his short-notice call.

UFC 311 main card betting odds

Jiri Prochazka

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Islam Makhachev -1200 vs. Renato Moicano +750 – for lightweight title
  • Champ Merab Dvalishvili +215 vs. Umar Nurmagomedov -265 – for bantamweight title
  • Jamahal Hill -125 vs. Jiri Prochazka +105
  • Jailton Almeida -470 vs. Serghei Spivac +360
  • Kevin Holland +100vs. Reinier de Ridder -120

UFC 311 prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/FX/Disney+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Raoni Barcelos +650 vs. Payton Talbott -1150
  • Azamat Bekoev -190 vs. Zach Reese +160
  • Billy Elekana +305 Bogdan Guskov -400
  • Grant Dawson -245 vs. Diego Ferreira +200

UFC 311 early prelim betting odds

Ailin Perez

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Ailin Perez +200 vs. Karol Rosa -245
  • Muin Gafurov +425 vs. Rinya Nakamura -650
  • Bernardo Sopaj -260 vs. Ricky Turcios +210
  • Clayton Carpenter +265 vs. Tagir Ulanbekov -350

Laura Sanko wishes Cub Swanson retired at UFC Tampa: ‘It doesn’t get better than that’

Laura Sanko wishes Cub Swanson committed to retirement after his UFC Tampa knockout because “it’s not going to get better than that.”

[autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] straddled the line of a retirement announcement after his knockout of Billy Quarantillo at UFC on ESPN 63 this month.

UFC commentator [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag] understands it’s no easy choice to make, especially after a highlight-reel finish in the Fight of the Night. But given how spectacular the moment was, and Swanson (30-14 MMA, 15-10 UFC) had his wife and family in attendance, Sanko would’ve liked for the longtime veteran to ride off into the subset.

“I’ll be honest: I wish he would’ve done it in the moment – In the octagon with the visual of putting his gloves down with the moment on the microphone,” Sanko told MMA Junkie. “I wish that because I want all of those things for him because he deserves all of that.”

Swanson was emotional in the aftermath of the win as he reflected on his career and what there may be left to accomplish. He is a UFC record holder in multiple categories and has done everything in the promotion short of competing for and winning a championship.

[lawrence-related id=2792852,2793601,2793468]

Given his ties to the sport through his training team and management company, Swanson will still very much be involved with MMA when his time as a fighter is officially over.

He is currently 41, and arguably already extended his career well beyond imagination after turning professional in July 2004. Putting together a 20-year career is almost unfathomable in this sport, and for Sanko, it’s all the more reason why Swanson should exit on this elusive type of high.

“When he came to the post-show desk, he seemed like he was closer to saying it,” Sanko said. “He was so, so close to saying it. We played like a little package of some of his greatest highlights and we were talking about his career overall and his life overall. Where he came from as a troubled teen and how the sport saved him. The sport not only saved him from a path he was going down in his young life, but then it brought him (everything).

“He met his wife and now he’s got his kids and he’s got students and he’s got a management agency. MMA literally is his life, and he built that. Talking about it he got pretty emotional and he all but said that he was retiring, but he didn’t quite feel like it could say it. I wish he would’ve said it in the octagon.

“It doesn’t get better than that. It’s only down. He could knock someone else out, I guess. I guess. But this is a crazy game. You can’t count on a better walk-off knockout moment than that. That’s why we love Cub.

“He can do what he wants. It’s not up to us. But it’s not going to get better than that.”

To hear more from Sanko, check out her complete appearance above on “The Bohnfire” podcast, hosted by MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.

Video: Laura Sanko names UFC’s most violent fighters of 2024

UFC commentator Laura Sanko names some of the most violent fighters and performances from each division in 2024.

MMA is a sport of controlled violence between two willing combatants, and few enjoy witnessing that more than UFC’s [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag].

Sanko is one of the UFC’s primary color commentators, and within that role she frequently gets to sit up close and personal next to the octagon. She sees the damage inflicted and dished out from inches away, can smell the stench of when blood is shed onto the canvas and everything in between that makes MMA such a raw and visceral form of sport.

“When I talk about MMA and everyone’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s such a violent sport,'” Sanko told MMA Junkie. “My normal go-to is to say it’s not really true violence. Because true violence is when one person does not want to be there, and there’s a perpetrator and a victim. Right? And that’s not what this is. This is a sport. This is competition. Both men or both women want to be there.”

Violence is born out of the competition of MMA, and there are some who do it with more style, swag and impact than others. But who ultimately does it best in each weight class, especially based of their work in 2024?

Sanko joined MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn on “The Bohnfire” podcast to discuss who she currently views as the most violent fighter in each of the UFC’s 12 weight classes.

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UFC 309: How to watch Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic title fight, New York lineup, odds, more (Updated)

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC 309 on pay-per-view, ESPNews, Hulu, FX and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC’s 13th and penultimate pay-per-view event of 2024 goes down Saturday in the “Big Apple.”

Here’s how to watch UFC 309 with the heavyweight title on the line at the top of the card at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Broadcast and streaming info

Jon Anik

UFC 309 has a main card that begins at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on pay-per-view (via ESPN+). The four-fight preliminary card airs on ESPNews, FX and Hulu at 8 p.m. ET. Three early prelims air on Hulu and stream on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.

[autotag]Dan Hellie[/autotag] will host the official UFC 309 weigh-in show on Friday.

He’ll be joined by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag], coach [autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag].

Former UFC title challengers [autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag], as well as retired lightweight contender [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] will serve as a desk analysts on the UFC 309 post-fight show and throughout the card, when necessary. [autotag]Brendan Fitzgerald[/autotag] will serve as the host.

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Megan Olivi[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 309 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 at UFC 309.

He will command play-by-play alongside color commentators and UFC Hall of Famer Cormier and [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag].

(Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

Main event: Jon Jones

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight against Ciryl Gane of France during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775947443 ORIG FILE ID: 1471352966

Record: 27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC
Opponent: Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Key wins: Ciryl Gane
Misc.: Won vacant heavyweight title with first-round submission of Ciryl Gane in March 2023. That was his debut at heavyweight after years as the light heavyweight champion. He’s been on the shelf with an injury till now.

Main event: Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic

Record: 20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC
Opponent: Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Key wins: Daniel Cormier (twice), Francis Ngannou, Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum
Misc.: Lost the heavyweight title in March 2021 to Ngannou. Was set to fight Jones a year ago until Jones’ injury took him out. Miocic chose to wait for Jones’ return rather than fight, putting his current layoff at around 44 months. Prior to this, the longest Miocic ever had gone without a fight was 13 months.

Co-main event: Michael Chandler

Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) and Michael Chandler (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC
Opponent: Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Tony Ferguson, Dan Hooker
Misc.: Former Bellator champion has had mixed success in the UFC, including a knockout loss to Oliveira in a title fight that he’ll be trying to avenge as an underdog Saturday.

Co-main event: Charles Oliveira

May 15, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Charles Oliveira applies a hold against Michael Chandler uring UFC 262 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC
Opponent: Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Beneil Dariush, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Chandler, Tony Ferguson
Misc.: Oliveira already has one win over Chandler – a knockout to win the vacant lightweight title in 2021. He defended it against Poirier and beat Gaethje – but in a fight for which he missed weight and was stripped of the belt. After a loss to new champ Islam Makhachev, he rebounded against Dariush, but lost a likely title eliminator to Arman Tsarukyan in April.

UFC 309 main card betting odds

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 03: (R-L) Viviane Araujo of Brazil punches Natalia Silva of Brazil in a flyweight 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)

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Jon Jones (-625) vs. Stipe Miocic (+455) – for heavyweight title
  • Michael Chandler (+205) vs. Charles Oliveira (-250)
  • Paul Craig (+700) vs. Bo Nickal (-1100)
  • Viviane Araujo (+220) vs. Karine Silva (-270)
  • James Llontop (+550) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-800)

UFC 309 prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/FX/Hulu, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Jonathan Martinez (+120) vs. Marcus McGhee (-140)
  • Eryk Anders (-120) vs. Chris Weidman (+100)
  • Damon Jackson (-180) vs. Jim Miller (+150)
  • David Onama (-1000) vs. Roberto Romero (+600)

UFC 309 early prelim betting odds

PRELIMINARY CARD (Hulu/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Jhonata Diniz (+125) vs. Marcin Tybura (-150)
  • Ramiz Brahimaj (+120) vs. Mickey Gall (-140)
  • Bassil Hafez (-+230) vs. Oban Elliott (-285)
  • Veronica Hardy (-150) vs. Eduarda Moura (+125)

UFC 309 preview videos

UFC 307: How to watch Pereira-Rountree, Pennington-Peña title fights, Salt Lake City lineup, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC 307 on pay-per-view, ESPNews and ESPN+.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The UFC’s 11th pay-per-view event of 2024 goes down Saturday in Utah.

Here’s how to watch UFC 307 with the light heavyweight and women’s bantamweight titles on the line at the top of the card at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Broadcast and streaming info

Jon Anik, Laura Sanko, Daniel Cormier | UFC 293 commentary team

UFC 307 has a main card that begins at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view (via ESPN+). The four-fight preliminary card airs on ESPNews and streams on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. A trio of early prelims stream on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.

[autotag]Dan Hellie[/autotag] will host the official UFC 307 weigh-in show on Friday at 10:50 a.m. ET.

[autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] will serve as a desk analysts on the UFC 307 post-fight show and throughout the card, when necessary. The host and other analysts are to be determined.

Longtime UFC correspondent [autotag]Megan Olivi[/autotag] will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC 307 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, former two-division champion Cormier, as well as [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag].

[autotag]Din Thomas[/autotag] also will occasionally join the booth throughout the broadcast as the coach-analyst for the event.

He’ll be joined by UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag], former middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] and [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag] as analysts.

(Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)

Main event: Alex Pereira

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC
Opponent: Khalil Rountree (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Jiri Prochazka (twice), Jamahal Hill, Jan Blachowicz, Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland
Misc.: Pereira has become arguably the biggest name in the game. After he came over from a kickboxing career that included two wins over Israel Adesanya, he beat Adesanya to win the middleweight belt. Although he dropped it in a rematch, he quickly went on to win the light heavyweight belt and has defended it with two vicious bonus-winning victories.

Main event: Khalil Rountree

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 12: (R-L) Khalil Rountree Jr. punches Chris Daukaus in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Record: 14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC
Opponent: Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Anthony Smith, Chris Daukaus, Dustin Jacoby, Karl Roberson, Paul Craig
Misc.: Rountree has been shelved for a bit due to a failed drug test – which left plenty of critics disenfranchised that he was given a title shot over other potential challengers. But he has five straight wins, four of which have come by knockout, and three bonuses in that stretch. Still, he’ll be by far the biggest underdog to go up against Pereira yet.

Main event: Raquel Pennington

Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Raquel Pennington (red glove) fights Mayra Bueno Silva (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC
Opponent: Julianna Peña (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Key wins: Mayra Bueno Silva, Ketlen Vieira, Aspen Ladd, Macy Chiasson, Pannie Kianzad, Marion Reneau, Irene Aldana, Miesha Tate, Jessica Andrade
Misc.: After 15 years in the sport, Pennington finally reached the pinnacle in January when she outworked Mayra Bueno Silva for the title vacated by former dual champion Amanda Nunes. The fight with ex-champ Peña will be her first attempted title defense.

Main event: Julianna Peña

Jul 30, 2022; Dallas, TX, USA; Julianna Pena (red gloves) fights Amanda Nunes (blue gloves) in a women’s bantamweight title bout during UFC 277 at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC
Opponent: Raquel Pennington (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Key wins: Amanda Nunes, Sara McMann, Cat Zingano, Jessica Eye
Misc.: Peña submitted Amanda Nunes to win the title in late 2021 in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. But she was dominated in the rematch eight months later and dropped the belt. She’s been on the shelf for more than two years.

UFC 307 main card betting odds

Kayla Harrison

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Alex Pereira (-525) vs. Khalil Rountree (+360) – for light heavyweight title
  • Champ Raquel Pennington (-180) vs. Julianna Peña (+150) – for women’s bantamweight title
  • Jose Aldo (+145) vs. Mario Bautista (-175)
  • Kayla Harrison (-850) vs. Ketlen Vieira (+500)
  • Roman Dolidze (+145) vs. Kevin Holland (-175)

UFC 307 prelim betting odds

Marina Rodriguez

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

  • Joaquin Buckley (-200) vs. Stephen Thompson (+170)
  • Iasmin Lucindo (-175) vs. Marina Rodriguez (+145)
  • Cesar Almeida (-400) vs. Ihor Potieria (+300)
  • Alexander Hernandez (-215) vs. Austin Hubbard (+170)

UFC 307 early prelim betting odds

Carla Esparza

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

  • Ovince Saint Preux (+275) vs. Ryan Spann (-370)
  • Carla Esparza (+145) vs. Tecia Pennington (-175)
  • Court McGee (+195) vs. Tim Means (-240)

UFC 307 preview videos

Laura Sanko calmly takes down Jamie Varner’s unsolicited UFC on ESPN 53 mansplained hot take

“What do you say to a man with two black eyes?” the question goes. Nothing. He’s already been told twice.

“What do you say to a man with two black eyes?” the question goes.

Nothing. He’s already been told twice.

And in that vein, The Blue Corner will do its best to set editorial commentary to the side to just say this:

We don’t need to point out to [autotag]Jamie Varner[/autotag] that doubling down on an out-of-left-field mansplaining social media post calling [autotag]Laura Sanko[/autotag] a “clown” for her color commentary skills on the UFC on ESPN 53 broadcast Saturday night left him with not one, but two visible black eyes, at least in terms of how his comments went over. He no doubt knew the attention he was trying to stir up in a day and age that rewards polarizing hot takes.

It was Sanko, naturally, who landed the biggest punch of all with a classier rebuttal than Varner deserved.

Varner ripped Sanko for being a “try hard” and saying she doesn’t know about fighting and should “stay in your lane.” In a doubled-down second post, Varner said Sanko, who broke the glass ceiling as the first woman color commentator on a UFC broadcast in the so-called modern era, should “leave the commentary to the people that have actually fought.”

Problem is, Sanko has fought as an amateur and pro. She was sure to remind him of that in her response. She trains and is around the sport regularly arguably more than some of her male UFC commentary colleagues.

Varner did not announce to his fewer than 50,000 Twitter followers (Sanko has more than three times as many) what he thinks of UFC play-by-play voices Jon Anik, Brendan Fitzgerald or John Gooden, none of whom have fought professionally.

He later deleted the tweets and their overwhelmingly critical and negative comments toward him from his timeline.

Varner had been quiet on Twitter since the Super Bowl, when he tweet-stormed his takes about the NFL being rigged, people who like Taylor Swift being a “p*ssy,” the NFL’s decision to have the Black National Anthem performed at the Super Bowl as “trash,” and more.

Varner has not fought since December 2014, when he tapped out to Drew Dober less than 2 minutes into the first round in front of his home fans in Phoenix. It was his fourth straight loss and one of five losses in six fights to end his career. That final loss was just three days removed from Varner’s 30th birthday.