UFC 276 is about to ready to get underway. The combat world has descended upon Las Vegas for International Fight Week where a pair of title fights tip the marquee. UFC always loads up these fabled events, and they did just that for the 10th annual time. It all goes down from the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya welcomes his latest challenge in the form of a destructive knockout artist in the form of Jared Cannonier. The veteran from Alaska gets his first chance at gold at 37 after journeying through both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions before settling in at 185 pounds. Adesanya, meanwhile, maintains a perfect record at middleweight with his lone defeat coming in an attempt to earn a second title at 205 pounds.
UFC 276 fight card, odds
Israel Adesanya (c) -490 vs. Jared Cannonier +370, middleweight championship
Alexander Volkanovski (c) -210 vs. Max Holloway +175, featherweight championship
Sean Strickland -120 vs. Alex Pereira +100, middleweights
Robbie Lawler -120 vs. Bryan Barberena +100, welterweights
Sean O’Malley -310 vs. Pedro Munhoz +250, bantamweights
Jalin Turner -150 vs. Brad Riddell +125, lightweights
Jim Miller -190 vs. Donald Cerrone +160, welterweights
Ian Garry -175 vs. Gabriel Green +150, welterweights
Dricus Du Plessis -155 vs. Brad Tavares +130, middleweights
Andre Muniz -340 vs. Uriah Hall +270, middleweights
Maycee Barber -300 vs. Jessica Eye +240, women’s flyweights
Jessica Rose-Clark -160 vs. Julija Stoliarenko +135, women’s bantamweights
The undercard could produce the next contender to the middleweight crown when Alex Pereira meets Sean Strickland in a featured bout. Pereira holds the distinction of beating Adesanya twice when both fought for Glory Kickboxing, including one by knockout. He’s made just two appearances inside the Octagon but has asserted himself well against stiff competition. Strickland, meanwhile, has been a force since moving back up to 185 pounds. Strickland has won five in a row at middleweight and looks like a legitimate challenger to the title if he can get past the hard-throwing knockout artist on Saturday.
The final fight of the evening features another challenger trying to take away Israel Adesanya’s middleweight crown. The Last Stylebender has become one of the best champions in the organization, but Cannonier will attempt to play Cinderella.
It’s a great title doubleheader supported by several interesting fights throughout the night, creating one of the year’s best cards.
Here’s a look at the whole schedule and the burning questions that will impact the night’s biggest fights.
What time does UFC 276 start today?
Date: Saturday, July 2
Fight Pass prelims: 6 p.m. ET
Prelims: 8 p.m. ET
Main card: 10 p.m. ET
Main event: 12:15 a.m. ET (approximate)
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
Israel Adesanya (c) -475 vs. Jared Cannonier +380 – middleweight title fight
Alexander Volkanovski (c) -200 vs. Max Holloway +170 – featherweight title fight
Sean Strickland -120 vs. Alex Pereira +100
Robbie Lawler -125 vs. Bryan Barberena +105
Pedro Munhoz +245 vs. Sean O’Malley -295
Preliminary Card (ABC, ESPN at 8 p.m. ET)
Brad Riddell +130 vs. Jalin Turner -150
Ian Garry -175 vs. Gabe Green +150
Donald Cerrone +160 vs. Jim Miller -190
Brad Tavares +130 vs. Dricus Du Plessis -150
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET)
Andre Muniz -320 vs. Uriah Hall +265
Maycee Barber -285 vs. Jessica Eye +240
Jessica-Rose Clark -150 vs. Julija Stoliarenko +130