IRISH MIXED MARTIAL ARTS superstar Conor McGregor returns to Ultimate Fighting Championship action tonight — or the early hours of tomorrow morning, to be precise — to make his debut as a welterweight (170lbs) fighter.
Having claimed the UFC featherweight (145lbs) title at the expense of Jose Aldo in December, McGregor will move up two weight classes to take on Nate Diaz in the main event at UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
How can I watch?
For fans in Ireland, there are two places to see the main-card action live. BT Sport 2 is the only TV channel broadcasting UFC 196 — which requires a Setanta Sports subscription. The event can also be purchased from €19.99 to watch online via UFC.tv.
The main card, which features McGregor versus Diaz and the women’s bantamweight title bout between champion Holly Holm and Miesha Tate, starts at 3am Irish time. Expect McGregor to be in the octagon shortly after 5am.
The three fights on the broadcast of the TV prelims — which starts at 1am — will also be available to watch on BT Sport 2. There are also three early prelims at 11.30pm but you’ll need a subscription to Fight Pass, the UFC’s online broadcast platform, to watch them. A Fight Pass subscription will set you back €7.99 per month.
UFC 196
Main card (3am) — BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate
Gian Villante vs. Ilir Latifi
Corey Anderson vs. Tom Lawlor
Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko
TV prelims (1am) — BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv
Brandon Thatch vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
Erick Silva vs. Nordine Taleb
Vitor Miranda vs. Marcelo Guimaraes
Darren Elkins vs. Chas Skelly
Fight Pass prelims (11.30pm) — UFC Fight Pass
Diego Sanchez vs Jim Miller
Jason Saggo vs. Justin Salas
Julian Erosa vs. Teruto Ishihara
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