BILLED AS THE biggest mixed martial arts event of 2015, UFC 189 takes place tonight — or the early hours of tomorrow morning, to be precise — at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The event is headlined by Conor McGregor’s interim UFC featherweight title bout against Chad Mendes, but fellow Dubliners Cathal Pendred and Neil Seery, as well as adopted Irishman Gunnar Nelson, are also on the bill.
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 189 — which requires a Setanta Sports subscription. The event can also be purchased from €15.99 to watch online via UFC.tv.
The main card, which features Conor McGregor and Gunnar Nelson, starts at 3am Irish time. Nelson is in the second of five fights on the broadcast for his bout against Brandon Thatch. McGregor and Mendes are up last — at approximately 5am, but be in position for around 4.45am to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Cathal Pendred’s fight against John Howard will also be available to watch on BT Sport 2. The televised preliminary card begins at 1am Irish time and Pendred versus Howard is the second of four fights on that bill, so you can expect the fight to begin at around 1.30am.
As for Neil Seery’s clash with Louis Smolka, you’ll need a subscription to UFC Fight Pass to see that one as it won’t be broadcast on TV. The Fight Pass prelims start at midnight and Seery versus Smolka is the second of two fights — starting at approximately 12.20am.
A UFC Fight Pass subscription will set you back €7.99 per month, but alternatively you can opt to start a seven-day trial, with free cancellation, if you’re that way inclined.
- Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes (4.45am approximately — BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv)
- Gunnar Nelson vs. Brandon Thatch (3.30am approx. — BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv)
- Cathal Pendred vs. John Howard (1.30am approx. — BT Sport 2)
- Neil Seery vs. Louis Smolka (12.20am approx. — UFC Fight Pass)
There’s more to UFC 189 than just the Irish, however. Click here to check out the full fight card for an event which also includes a welterweight title bout between Rory MacDonald and defending champion Robbie Lawler.
