The UFC returns to “Fight Island” on Saturday night, as UFC 253 kicks off the company’s next residency in the Middle East.
UFC 253 takes place Saturday at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Two title fights top the card. The main event is a grudge match, as middleweight champion[autotag] Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defends his belt against. [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). And a new light heavyweight champ will be crowned, with [autotag]Jan Blachowicz [/autotag](26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) vs. [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) set to fill the belt vacated by former champion Jon Jones.
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The first episode of “Embedded” follows the big-name stars at the top of the card. Here’s the UFC’s description:
The stateside stars of UFC 253 — including champ Israel Adesanya, Dominick Reyes, Sijara Eubanks, Kai Kara France, Diego Sanchez and more — grab an early-morning charter from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi.
You can watch “Embedded” above.