You don’t want to miss this one.
Conor McGregor will finally get his chance to become the first featherweight to defeat Jose Aldo at UFC 194. The long-standing champion was forced to withdraw from their original scheduled bout at UFC 189, which saw McGregor knock out late replacement Chad Mendes to become the interim featherweight champion.
The co-main event sees the two top middleweights in the world, Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold, slug it out for the 185 lb title, after the next number one contender is decided when Yoel Romero takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Honorary Irishman Gunnar Nelson also takes on elite grappler Demian Maia, while main card proceedings will kick off with a featherweight clash between two of the division’s best in Max Holloway and Jeremy Stephens.
When?
UFC 194 takes place at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday December 12, with the main card beginning at 3am on Sunday morning (Irish time). The preliminary card is due to kick off 1 am, while the early prelims begin at midnight.
The Irish interest
Unlike Mystic Mac, we don’t have clairvoyant abilities. Assuming the co-main event goes the distance (might not happen), McGregor v Aldo should be starting at around 5 am Irish time. While Gunnar Nelson’s grappling porn bout against Demian Maia should kick off at around 3:15 am.
However, with such a stacked event, even casual fans will want to tune in for the whole main card (at least) which commences at 3 am.
Who’s on it?
Early prelims:
Court McGee vs Marcio Alexandre
John Makdessi vs Yancy Medeiros
Joe Proctor vs Magomed Mustafaev
Prelims:
Leonardo Santos vs Kevin Lee
Warlley Alves vs Colby Covington
Urijah Faber vs Frankie Saenz
Main card:
Max Holloway vs Jeremy Stephens
Demian Maia vs Gunnar Nelson
Ronaldo Souza vs Yoel Romero (middleweight title eliminator)
Chris Weidman vs Luke Rockhold (five rounds for the middleweight title)
Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor (five rounds for the featherweight title)
Where to watch?
At home
BT Sport will be showing all the action with start time to be confirmed closer to the fight.
If you do not have that channel in your TV package you can buy the pay-per-view via Fight Pass or UFC TV in HD for €17.99 or standard definition for €15.99.
If you don’t like either of those options, but also don’t want the result spoiled, you could go Full Mugabe Media Lockdown and wait for 3e to show the entire main card at some stage the following week (TBC).
Viewing parties
UPDATE: The viewing party scheduled to take place at Bunker Nightclub at the Point Village has been moved to the Red Cow Inn, Naas Rd. Doors open at 11 pm with last entry at 1 am. It’s a strictly over 18’s event featuring a full late bar along with DJ acts. Tickets cost €20 and you can buy them here.
The Living Room on Cathal Brugha street will also be live-streaming the main card at a ticketed event after normal serving hours. It’s a no alcohol event with doors opening at midnight from Murrays bar, with the Living Room opening at 3 am. Tickets must be pre-purchased from The Living Room and cost €20.
If you know of any other viewing parties around the country, don’t hesitate to send the information to editorial@sportsjoe.ie or hit us up on Facebook and Twitter
