UFC 270 will be the first major combat sports pay-per-view event of 2022 and should deliver more than a few hits with two title fights and a slew of up-and-coming stars featured on the fight card. Most notably, a new undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned on Saturday when the interim belt-holder and still undefeated Ciryl Gane squares off against the baddest big man on the planet in Francis Ngannou. In the other title fight, flyweight champion Brandon Moreno meets former champion Deiveson Figueiredo for the third time as these two settle once and for all who is the best at 125 pounds. The main card fights began at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET, but the co-main event actual fight time should be around 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET on ESPN Plus PPV.
• You can purchase the fight package now along with a year’s subscription to the ESPN+ streaming platform for $99.98. Before you tune in on Saturday, here’s a look at the complete fight card for UFC 270 including the early odds for each matchup as well as information about how to watch the event live on ESPN+ PPV.
UFC 270 GANE vs. NGANNOU PREVIEW
Francis Ngannou (16-3-0) is one of the most powerful strikers and dominant heavyweights the sport of mixed martial arts has ever seen. Despite a perfectly dominant 5-0 run in his last five fights, there are questions about whether the power of Ngannou will be enough to overcome the fast-rising, versatile attack of Ciryl Gane (10-0-0).
Gane has looked the part of a champion during his rise to prominence. Despite his perceived inexperience at the UFC level, the Frenchman is no stranger to combat sports with a background as an accomplished kickboxer and wrestler. This skillset combined with Gane’s impressive 6-foot-4 frame make him perhaps the most capable opponent Ngannou has ever faced. While the duo look strikingly comparable on paper, the slight contrast between these two fighters will make all the difference when they step into the ring on Saturday.
Ngannou is a heavy-handed puncher with seemingly unparalleled power in his fists. He has made mince meat out of other contenders in the division with his ability to fend off attacks that would bring him to the ground while his 83-inch reach allows him to keep opponents at bay while raining down devastating strikes. Where Ngannou hangs his hat on powerful punching, Gane is a much more complex fighter. It’s not that he can’t win a stand-up fight, it’s more that he can adapt to whatever fighter he faces. His powerful legs kicks have been used to weaken an opponent with body shots in the past, keeping them at bay until he can shoot for a takedown and earn a submission. But he’s also finished fights with his elbows, fists and gone the distance to earn a decision on points. Where Ngannou may have a slight edge in power, Gane may have the advantage in speed and conditioning.
The question on Saturday is: which fighter’s style will win out? Will Ngannou make it a boxing match, or will the well-rounded Gane pick apart his former sparring partner with his all around attacking prowess?
UFC 270 MAIN CARD ODDS (updated at 4:45 p.m. PT/7:45 p.m. ET on January 19)
• Francis Ngannou (c) +130 vs. Ciryl Gane (c) -150 — Heavyweight title fight
• Brandon Moreno (c) -180 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo +155 — Flyweight title fight
• Michel Pereira -280 vs. Andre Fialho +225 — Welterweight fight
• Cody Stamann +170 vs. Said Nurmagomedov -200 — Bantamweight fight
PRELIMS ODDS
• Rodolfo Vieira -225 vs. Wellington Turman +185 — Middleweight fight
• Raoni Barcelos -510 vs. Victor Henry +375 — Bantamweight fight
• Ilia Topuria -550 vs. Charles Jourdain +400 — Featherweight fight
• Jack Della Maddalena -350 vs. Pete Rodriguez +270 — Welterweight fight
EARLY PRELIMS ODDS
• Tony Gravely -240 vs. Saimon Oliveira +195 — Bantamweight fight
• Michael Morales -125 vs. Trevin Giles +105 — Welterweight fight
• Silvana Juarez +115 vs. Vanessa Demopoulos -135 — Women’s strawweight fight
• Matt Frevola -190 vs. Genaro Valdez +160 — Lightweight fight
• Kay Hansen -255 vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius +185 — Women’s flyweight fight
HOW TO WATCH
What: UFC 270
When: Saturday, January 22 – Main card fights begin at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET (Complete schedule below)
Where: Honda Center | Anaheim, California
TV Channel: ESPN+ pay-per-view (this event is not available on traditional cable TV packages, but is available live on ESPN Plus PPV. Here’s a look at how you can watch ESPN+ live on your TV.)
Watch live stream online: You can watch a live stream of the fights for $74.99 on ESPN+ if you already have an ESPN+ subscription, or if you don’t already have an ESPN+ yearly subscription, you can purchase the bundle package at $99.98 which gets you the fight AND one year of ESPN+ subscriber access, which is a screaming deal. (A regular ESPN+ year long subscription runs $69.99, so you’re getting $45 off the list price.)
Is ESPN+ worth the money? It depends on how big a sports fan you are, and what sports are important to you. Our complete ESPN+ explanation guide should help you make an informed decision and help you find out how to get ESPN+ games on your TV.
COMPLETE UFC 270 SCHEDULE
- Early prelims, 3:15 p.m. PT/6:15 p.m. ET
- Prelims, 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET
- Main card, 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET, but the co-main event actual fight time with Brandon Moreno vs. D followed by Ciryl Gane vs. Francis Ngannou should be around 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET on ESPN Plus PPV.
Ciryl Gane of France looks to crown himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC when he faces Francis Ngannou on January 22. (File photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
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