UFC 254 is one of the most stacked cards the UFC have ever put on. UFC 254 will close out a series of five events back on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi. Headlined by a lightweight title bout for the undisputed belt, the card is stacked from top to bottom, without the full card even being confirmed yet.
As UK MMA fans know, with a BT Sport subscription, PPV events come free. The downside, of course, is that they’re more often than not at inconvenient times, with main cards usually kicking off at 3 am. They can, however, expect UFC 254 to be available to purchase through BT Sport Box Office as a PPV event.
The Deal
BT Sport renewed their deal with the UFC in 2019 to stay as the exclusive supplier of UFC content for UK viewers. In June 2019, it was revealed that the supplier would include a number of PPV events that UK viewers would be expected to pay £20 for. The first of these was UFC 239.
The agreement entering 2020 was that there would be three BT Sport Box Office events, the return of Conor McGregor at UFC 246 being the first. The assumption that any card that McGregor features on would naturally be a PPV in the UK also. As there is little to no chance that the ‘retired‘ Irishman returns to the octagon this year and having only had one PPV event so far in 2020, BT Sport and the UFC must come to an agreement on which two cards to make PPV in the UK. With only four ‘numbered’ events scheduled for the remainder of this year, there are options running out.
UFC 254 Expected to be PPV
UFC 254, as we know takes place from Abu Dhabi on October 25th. When the UFC returned to Abu Dhabi last year for UFC 242, it was put on at the local time, which happens to also be an ‘English friendly’ time. The main event kicked off around 9 pm in the UK.
We also know that BT Sport and Queensberry Promotions head promoter, Frank Warren have confirmed that the highly anticipated all British heavyweight clash won’t go ahead on October 24th as originally planned. Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce were set to face off on PPV, although the event has now been postponed.
The assumption is that there will still be a scheduled PPV on this date, catering for the UK audience. It is unlikely to be put on at 5/6 am in the morning because the PPV buys from the UK fans won’t be there. What does this leave? UFC 254 to be a PPV in the UK, exclusive to BT Sports Box Office.
UFC 254
The UFC 254 is absolutely box office and is deservedly a PPV. The highly anticipated main event for the undisputed belt is a fight to get any fan salivating. Former Bellator champion, Michael Chandler is ‘first reserve’ for this bout should any fighter fall out.
Although the full card isn’t announced yet, we know some of the bouts that will take place on the card:
Islam Makhachev and former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos square off at 155lbs. This will be the first time dos Anjos competes at the weight since 2016. Makhachev is currently enjoying a six-fight winning run.
The former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker looks to keep his title push going against Jared Cannonier. This is very much seen as a #1 contenders fight for the middleweight championship.
Finally, we will get to see a standout featherweight striking battle. Originally scheduled for 2018, Zabit Magomedsharipov and Yair Rodriguez will face off at UFC 254. Again, this could very much be seen at a #1 contenders fight for Alexander Volkanovski‘s featherweight strap.
Former Bellator heavyweight champion, Alexander Volkov will stand across from #8 Walt Harris. Both men are looking to get back to winning ways following a loss in their most recent bouts.
Two top-five flyweight contenders look to take one step closer to the title with a win in Abu Dhabi. Cynthia Calvillo recently knocked off Jessica Eye in a main event slot, whereas Lauren Murphy has impressed with three straight back-to-back victories.
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