After what has nearly been a two-month hiatus, the UFC is set to return to our screens this Saturday, May 9, when Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje headline UFC 249 on ESPN+.
Two title fights sit at the top of the UFC 249 fight card, but they’re not the ones the promotion had originally planned when the event was announced way back in December last year. UFC 249 was supposed to be the time when we finally see the long-awaited showdown between Ferguson and current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but complications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led to that fight being canceled for the fifth time.
The promotion was left scrambling to find a replacement fighter for the main event and eventually landed on Justin Gaethje, a fighter who typically lives up to his moniker “The Highlight.” Although it doesn’t have the same hype as Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson, this is a truly significant clash between two exciting fighters.
In the co-main event, the UFC Bantamweight Championship will be on the line as Henry Cejudo looks to defend his title against returning former champion, Dominick Cruz.
These two title fights form part of a five-fight pay-per-view main card that will only be available to watch on ESPN+ in the United States.
When is UFC 249?
UFC 249 is this Saturday, May 9.
The event was originally scheduled for April 18 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What time does UFC 249 start?
UFC 249 commences at 6 pm ET. Events typically feature approximately 30 minutes of pre-fight entertainment.
UFC 249 early prelims start time
The first UFC 249 early prelim bout is scheduled to start at 6:30 pm ET. The early prelims will run through to 8 pm ET.
- Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey (6:30 pm)
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa (7:00 pm)
- Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price (7:30 pm)
UFC 249 prelims start time
The UFC 249 prelims will start at 8 pm ET. Four fights feature on the preliminary card and will likely fill the entire two-hour period before the main card.
- Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (8:00 pm)
- Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson (8:30 pm)
- Aleksei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum (9:00 pm)
- Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis (9:30 pm)
UFC 249 main card start time
The UFC 249 main card starts at 10 pm ET. The main event is expected to start at close to midnight.
- Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan de Castro (10:00 pm)
- Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar (10:30 pm)
- Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (11:00 pm)
- Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz (11:30 pm)
- Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje (12:00 pm)
Where is UFC 249 going to be held?
UFC 249 will be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.
There’ll be no fans in attendance and a reduced number of UFC staff.
Where to watch UFC 249 PPV?
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will likely result in a dramatic change to the way that fight fans watch UFC PPV events.
Whereas many fight fans typically gather at bars to watch the fights, this may no longer be possible in parts of the United States due to social distancing guidelines.
This means that fans will more than likely be watching the fights on ESPN+ from the safety of their own home this weekend.
How to watch UFC 249 PPV?
In 2019,
That means that the only way to watch the UFC 249 PPV is by ordering and streaming the event on ESPN+.
How much is UFC 249 PPV?
Fans without an active
Current ESPN+ subscribers can order UFC 249 event for $64.99.
Is UFC 249 on Fight Island?
No, the fights will take place at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Two more events are scheduled to take place at the same location on May 13 and May 16.
The UFC expects Fight Island to be operational by June.
UFC 249 fight card lineup
UFC 249 Main Card (10 pm ET on ESPN+ PPV)
- Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje
- Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz
- Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
- Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan de Castro
UFC 249 Prelims (8:00 pm on ESPN+)
- Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis
- Aleksei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum
- Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson
- Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
UFC 249 Early Prelims (6:30 pm on ESPN+)
- Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa
- Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey