ONE WEEK ON from Conor McGregor’s terrific first round win over Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas, three of his SBG team-mates step into the Octagon later this evening.
Gunnar Nelson v Rick Story
With four wins from as many UFC fights and a record of 13-0 in his professional career, Icelandic welterweight Gunnar Nelson headlines UFC Stockholm in a bout against Rick Story (17-8, 10-6 UFC). The always calm and collected Nelson, who trains in Ireland with SBG and calls it his “second home”, is a genuine contender despite being ranked 12th in the division and the threat posed by his striking and submission should prove too much for experienced wrestler Story.
Cathal Pendred v Gasan Umalatov
After his incredible comeback against Mike King at UFC Dublin, Cathal Pendred moves down a weight division from middleweight to his favoured welterweight to take on Gasan Umalatov (15-3-1, 1-1 UFC) in the Swedish capital. As enthralling a spectacle his UFC debut was, Pendred will be intent on putting in a more commanding performance against his Russian opponent.
Paddy Holohan v Chris Kelades
Another fighter who made his UFC bow at Dublin’s O2 Arena, in July, Paddy Holohan travels to Halifax, Canada, for UFC Fight Night 54 as he looks to extend his 100% professional record (10-0). ‘The Hooligan’ was originally pencilled in to fight Louis Gaudinot but a late withdrawal sees Canadian flyweight Chris Kelades step in on short notice.
BT Sport
Subscribers to the Setanta Sports package can take advantage of BT Sport by watching both events live. UFC Stockholm begins at 8pm on BT Sport 1 while the prelims for UFC Fight Night 54 kick-off on BT Sport 2 at 1am before the main card at 3am. Both are repeated on Sunday afternoon.
UFC TV
As always, UFC offers a subscription channel which you can stream live for a fee, which varies depending on whether you want to pay for the individual events, or a six-month or 12-month membership. Click here for more information.
3e
As part of their new partnership with the UFC, 3e will show delayed coverage of the Stockholm event from 10pm on Monday night. It will be preceded by ‘Swedish Giants’, a recent documentary about the rise of MMA in the Scandanavian country.
Pubs
We’ve have once again been in contact with Publin.ie, who are recommending the following as pubs which will be showing the UFC events:
- Buck Whaleys Townhouse, 67 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 (tables still available for booking but you need to be there before 5pm)
- The Living Room, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1
- Fibber Magees, 80-81 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
If there is anywhere else around the country that is opening late so fans can view the UFC tonight, email ben@thescore.ie or leave a comment below.
