ESPN is the place to be for all the UFC fight week action, as Australia’s Tai Tuivasa highlights a stacked fight card for UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland LIVE this Sunday December 4.
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Main Card is LIVE on ESPN2 at 2pm AEDT from the Amway Centre in Orlando, Florida.
Sunday’s event is headlined by a huge main event between welterweight contenders Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Kevin Holland.
Thompson makes his return to the Octagon after a year away with injury, and the former title challenger is hoping to send an immediate message to the welterweight division.
Holland is coming off a loss to one of the UFC’s most dangerous fighters, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 in September – a fight Holland took on a day’s notice.
The American will be more prepared for Sunday’s grudge match with Thompson, and has been vocal in calling out ‘Wonderboy’ on social media.
Australia’s Tai Tuivasa also returns to the Octagon against tough heavyweight challenger Sergei Pavlovich in the main support bout of Sunday’s main card.
Tuivasa heads into the showdown ranked #4 in the UFC heavyweight division, and knows he must stop #5 ranked Pavlovich to continue his path back towards a championship opportunity.
The Australian was defeated by #1 ranked heavyweight Cyril Gane in his last fight back in September. But, having dropped the Frenchman in the encounter, Tuivasa knows he can hang with those in the title picture.
It will not be easy against the 16-1 Pavlovich, with the Russian fighter currently riding a four fight winning run. Pavlovich has won 13 of his 16 fights via knockout, with all coming inside the first round.
The Russian heavyweight has proven he is a devastating finisher, and coupled with the skillset offered by Tuivasa – expect fireworks inside the Octagon from the pair.
Also on Sunday’s main card is a Middleweight showdown between Derek Brunson and Jack Hermansson.
#5 ranked Brunson and #8 ranked Hermansson are both ranked in the top ten in the Middleweight division. Following Israel Adesanya’s defeat to UFC Middleweight champion Alex Pereira this month, the division has been blown wide open.
It presents an opportunity to both Brunson and Hermansson to cast their name amongst the chasing pack, looking at a chance to enter the Octagon with either Pereira or Adesanya in future fights.
Former UFC champion Rafael Dos Anjos also features on the UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Main Card, with the Brazilian facing off against Bryan Barberena.
ESPN will bring UFC fans all the action out of fight week on the road to Orlando, with SC: UFC Fight Camp premiering Thursday December 1 at 5.30pm AEDT on ESPN2.
Sunday’s UFC action begins at 11am AEDT with the UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Prelims, live on ESPN2. UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Main Card then follows at 2pm AEDT.
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland on ESPN
Thursday December 1
5.30pm AEDT, SC: UFC Fight Camp, ESPN2 (Premiere)
9pm AEDT, SC: UFC Fight Camp, ESPN2
Saturday December 3
9.30am AEDT, UFC Live, ESPN
Sunday December 4
11am AEDT, UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Prelims, ESPN2
2pm AEDT, UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Main Card, ESPN2
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
Media Release – ESPN