U.F.C. Fights at Madison Square Garden: How to Watch

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The Final Battling Championship returns to Madison Square Garden on Saturday with what is most likely its most loaded card of 2021, an function that capabilities two championship fights and a No. 1 contender identifier for the promotion’s most aggressive division.

The pay out-for every-view, sold in the United States by ESPN+, commences at 10 p.m. Eastern and expenditures $69.99.

In this article are the things you need to have to know about the most essential bouts on the card:

Kamaru Usman turned the welterweight champion in 2019 following defeating the previous winner, Tyron Woodley, by means of determination. Because then, he has defended the belt four occasions, ending three fights by knockout.

His to start with title defense came towards Colby Covington in 2019, a competitive five-round struggle that finished in the previous spherical when Usman landed shots to Covington on the ground that compelled the referee, Marc Goddard, to conclusion the bout. Covington contends that the stoppage was early for the reason that he promises he was defending himself, and he also accused Usman of exaggerating his reactions to a kick shut to the groin and an eye poke that caused Goddard to pause the fight twice.

The two males truly dislike each other, as evidenced by the insults they have hurled at every other and heated broadcast interviews they participated in. Covington in specific has been brash, latching himself on to the former President Donald J. Trump, donning “Make The usa Good Again” hats and promoting Donald Trump Jr.’ s book.

In the cage, Usman is the a lot more muscular person, but Covington absorbed most of his punches effectively through their previous fight. To earn, Covington will want to use his cardio benefit and set an intense tempo whilst also varying his assaults amongst putting and wrestling. Usman is a a lot more effectively-rounded fighter and is a -300 betting favourite. His gentle, straight jabs hold more than enough electric power to send a particular person to the ground. He could gain in a assortment of strategies, but will possible try to use his reach advantage to retain Covington at a distance.

Rose Namajunas stripped Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who at the time had dominated the women’s strawweight division, of the title in 2017 through technological knockout. She dropped the belt in 2019 but regained it in April, when she head-kicked Zhang Weili, her remaining foot tapping Zhang’s chin and sending her to the ground. Zhang, the moment up, contested the stoppage.

Zhang turned the 1st Chinese champion in U.F.C. background in 2019, and her defeat to Namajunas was seen as a speedy conclusion to what should really have been a aggressive, quick-paced fight in between the world’s finest 115-pounders. Due to the fact the decline, Zhang started education with Henry Cejudo, the previous U.F.C. flyweight and bantamweight double champion. Namajunas will most probable use her achieve edge and outstanding putting, while Zhang will search to grapple in the clinch.

This is effectively an audition for the following opponent for the U.FC.’s lightweight championship. With the 155-pound winner Charles Oliveira scheduled to combat Dustin Poirier in December, the winner of that battle will either facial area Michael Chandler or Justin Gaethje.

Chandler to start with fought in the U.F.C. in 2020 after a productive operate in Bellator M.M.A., regarded as the second-premier mixed martial arts advertising powering the U.F.C. He won his initially battle but missing to Oliveira in the next round by means of technological knockout in a contest to fill the vacant light-weight title following the dominant winner Khabib Nurmagomedov retired.

Prior to experiencing Nurmagomedov in October 2020, Gaethje had a 4-fight get streak and won the interim lightweight title.

Both Gaethje and Chandler function a related type as able wrestlers and explosive strikers. This struggle starts off off the most important card, so grab your beer and wings early and don’t blink. This probable will not last extensive.