UFC on ESPN News

Drake Riggs - March 18, 2019

After a fast a furious start to their partnership that kicked off with UFC Brooklyn in late January, ESPN is going all in with the UFC. UFC 236 will go down on April 13 and it will be the beginning of a new format for the UFC pay-per-view distribution model as Monday the company announced that pay-per-view events will now be exclusive to the ESPN+ subscription service in the US.

James Lynch - February 20, 2019

UFC commentator Joe Rogan hasn’t been featured on either of the US-based UFC on ESPN broadcasts this year, and now we know why. The former “Fear Factor” host, who has been with the UFC for over 20-years, says that it was his decision to cut back on the amount of events he’d be working.

Mike Straus - February 18, 2019

On Sunday night, the Octagon finally took center stage on the largest sports platform in the world, as the UFC debuted on ESPN. Whether it was the return of Cain Velasquez or the first Gracie to earn a victory inside the Octagon in 25 years, UFC on ESPN 1 in Phoenix, Arizona definitely had its moments.

Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019

On Sunday, February 17, the UFC will make its debut on ESPN with an exciting, 13-fight card. In a recent press release, ESPN revealed the commentary and broadcast teams for this debut UFC on ESPN card. Jon Anik and Dominick Cruz will call the fights from cage-side, while Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping and Karyn Bryant will man the broadcast desk, and Megan Olivi will handle reporting. UFC fighters Fabricio Werdum and Brandon Moreno will join Victor Dávila on the Spanish language broadcast.

Tom Taylor - February 15, 2019

This Sunday, in the main event of the UFC’s debut card on ESPN, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will step into the Octagon for the first time in almost three years, where he’ll look to return to heavyweight prominence with the win over the fearsome Francis Ngannou. While Velasquez is determined to make the most of this comeback, it sounds like this could be his last walk to the cage if things don’t go as planned.

Mike Straus - February 14, 2019

This Sunday, the Octagon touches down in the desert, as Cain Velasquez will make his return against Francis Ngannou in the headlining bout of UFC on ESPN 1 in Phoenix. Sure, many fans are going to be tuning in on Sunday to see if Cain Velasquez can return to his former form, but in all honesty, all 13 fights slated for the event are solid. Case in point: former bantamweight champion Renan Barão is competing in the second fight of the night.

Tom Taylor - February 13, 2019

On Sunday, February 17, the UFC will make its debut on ESPN with an exciting, 13-fight card. In the main event of this debut UFC on ESPN card, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon, where he will battle ferocious knockout puncher Francis Ngannou in an cage-shaking showdown.

Tom Taylor - January 21, 2019

According to a release from the ESPN Public Relations team, the first UFC on ESPN card was a massive success, driving hundreds of thousands of new ESPN+ subscriptions, and drawing massive viewership to the ESPN channel. Here’s what the release had to say:

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

Tonight’s UFC on ESPN+1 event was headlined by a flyweight title fight between TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. TJ Dillashaw entered tonight’s title fight with the former Olympic Gold medalist on a four-fight win streak. TJ’s most recent victories both came against Cody Garbrandt, who he knocked out at both UFC 217 and UFC 227.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

Former NFL player Greg Hardy made his octagon debut at tonight’s UFC on ESPN+1 event in Brooklyn against Allen Crowder. After a chaotic opening five minutes the heavyweights appeared to settle down in round two.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

A heavyweight tilt between Greg Hardy and Allen Crowder served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC on ESPN+ 1 event in Brooklyn. The former NFL star defensive end, Hardy, enters tonight’s contest sporting a perfect professional mixed martial arts record of 3-0.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

Paige VanZant picked up her first victory since August of 2016 this evening, submitting Rachael Ostovich at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn. After a strong opening round for Ostovich, Paige VanZant was able to turn the tide in round two.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

A light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Karl Roberson kicked off tonight’s UFC on ESPN+ 1 main card from Brooklyn. Former title challenger Glover Teixeira enters tonight’s contest having gone 2-3 over his past five fights. In his most recent effort in July, Glover suffered a unanimous decision loss to perennial division contender Corey Anderson.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

Donald Cerrone picked up yet another incredible finish at tonight’s UFC on ESPN+ 1 event stopping Alexander Hernandez in round two. “Cowboy” landed one of his infamous head kicks which sent “The Great” crashing to the canvas with just over a minute to go in the second round.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

A lightweight bout between former division title challenger Donald Cerrone and surging contender Alexander Hernandez headlines tonight’s UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims. Donald Cerrone was last seen in action in the promotions welterweight division where he earned a submission victory over Mike Perry this past November.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

A women’s strawweight bout between Joanne Calderwood and Ariane Lipski took place on tonight’s UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims from Brooklyn. Joanne Calderwood (12-3 MMA) was last seen in action at August’s UFC event in Lincoln, where she scored a submission victory over Kalindra Faria.

Chris Taylor - January 19, 2019

The octagon will return to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn this evening for the promotions inaugural event on ESPN. The fight card is headlined by a flyweight title fight between TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. TJ Dillashaw will enter his title fight with the former Olympic Gold medalist on a four-fight win streak. TJ’s most recent wins came against Cody Garbrandt who he knocked out at both UFC 217 and UFC 227.

Chris Taylor - January 12, 2019

UFC bantamweight standout John Lineker has issued a statement after an injury forced him out of his slated bout with Cory Sandhagen at next weekend’s UFC on ESPN+1 event. The injury, which still remains unknown to media at this time, forced “Hands of Stone” to pull out on just nine days notice. Thankfully for Cody Sandhagen, undefeated promotional newcomer Mario Bautista has agreed to fill in for Lineker at Saturday’s event in Brooklyn.