UFC 266 will be the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s pay-per-view venture in the month of September. The event takes place inside Las Vegas, Nevada’s T-Mobile Arena, and will feature a championship doubleheader for your viewing pleasure.
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko will return to defend her flyweight championship against surging division stalwart Lauren Murphy. And in the night’s headliner, featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski will look to retain his title against former title challenger, and fellow The Ultimate Fighter coach Brian Ortega.
How to watch UFC 266 on September 25
- The event takes place on September 25, and will kick off with the prelims on ESPN and ESPN+ at 6 pm ET
- Main card PPV action will begin at 10 pm ET exclusively on ESPN+ for US $69.99
- The event takes place inside the T-Mobile Arena, and tickets can be purchased at the venue’s box office here
UFC 266 fight card
Main Card (ESPN+)
Alexander Volkanovski (-170) vs. Brian Ortega (+150)
Valentina Shevchenko (-1375) vs. Lauren Murphy (+800)
Robbie Lawler (-120) vs. Nick Diaz (+100)
Jéssica Andrade (-280) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (+225)
Curtis Blaydes (-305) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (+240)
Marlon Moraes vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Preliminary card (ESPN & ESPN+)
Dan Hooker (-180) vs. Nasrat Haqparast (+155)
Roxanne Modafferi (+280) vs. Taila Santos (-365)
Manon Fiorot (-300) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (+235)
Matt Semelsberger vs. Martin Sano
Uros Medic (-115) vs. Jalin Turner (-105)
Nick Maximov (+100) vs. Karl Roberson (-120)
Shamil Abdurakhimov (+155) vs. Chris Daukaus (-180)
Omar Morales (-150) vs. Jonathan Pearce (+130)
UFC 266 Appointment television fights
Alexander Volkanovski vs Brian Ortega
This fight was stylistically interesting even before you add in the legitimate dislike these two have grown for one another as coaches on the long-running series. Ortega’s (15-1) grappling is always his bread and butter, but his striking skills looked greatly improved last October when he dismantled Chan Sung Jung. However, have they improved enough over the years so that Volkanovski (22-1) does not repeat the striking beatdown former titleholder Max Holloway put on “T-City” in 2018? That is the big question going into this fight.
Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler
It’s a Nick Diaz (26-9) fight, do you need any more reason to watch? Okay, fine, then it’s the Stockton bad boy’s return after six years away, and it’s in a rematch against a former welterweight champion in Robbie Lawler (28-15). Good? Lawler isn’t the fighter he once was but he is still a talent that merits a look. And of course, there are questions on what sort of competitor Diaz will be upon return. Considering their histories in the sport, the results are likely to be something you want to see.
Curtis Blaydes vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
A classic matchup of striker versus grappler at the highest levels of the UFC heavyweight division. Jairzinho “Bigi Boy” Rozenstruik (12-2) has never had to confront the level of wrestling Curtis “Razor” Blaydes (14-3) will send his way on fight night. That is a big question and litmus test for the Suriname natives staying power at the top of the division. For Blaydes, it’s about bouncing back from his February loss to Derrick Lewis and keeping his name in the conversation for title contenders in 2022.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy
On paper, this seems like a pointless fight to watch. And that is an understandable opinion. However, there are two good reasons to check it out. The first would be that Shevchenko (21-3) proves why she is the biggest betting favorite on the card and serves up a highlight-reel finish. Who doesn’t like seeing those? The second reason is since she is such a massive favorite if she somehow lost to Murphy (15-4) in a historic upset, do you want to say you missed that? Furthermore, as one of the best fighters on the roster, seeing Shevchenko perform should be reason enough in itself.
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