UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will defend his title and undefeated streak against fellow undefeated fighter Paulo Costa on Sunday September 27 on Main Event, with the main card kicking off at 12pm.
ESPN Australia New Zealand will showcase the UFC 253: Adesanya vs Costa Prelims exclusively live from 9.00am AEST on ESPN2, with the prelim card featuring Australian Jake Matthews and New Zealand pair Brad Riddell and Shane Young.
New Zealand’s Riddell is the main fight on the preliminary card, as the lightweight faces tough Brazilian prospect Alex de Silva Coelho on Yas Island.
Jake Matthews features against UFC veteran Diego Sanchez, as the Aussie looks to continue his winning ways, having been victorious in his past two fights in the UFC.
Shane Young completes the local hopes, as he ends an 18-month stint away from the action, returning to face Ludovit Klein.
The Trans-Tasman trio are not the only Australia and New Zealand fighters in action on Fight Island at UFC253, with Kai Kara-France and UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya featuring on the pay-per-view portion of the card.
Adesanya defends his UFC Middleweight title against Brazilian Paulo Costa, which many predict will be the fight of 2020.
ESPN’s live coverage begins on Sunday at 7.30am AEST with UFC Live, from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
UFC 253: Adesanya vs Costa on ESPN
Sunday September 27
6.00am AEST – UFC Main Event – Adesanya v Gastelum, ESPN2
7.00am AEST – UFC Fight Camp, ESPN2
7.30am AEST – UFC Live, ESPN2
8.00am AEST – UFC253: Adesanya v Costa, Pre Show, ESPN2
9.00am AEST – UFC253: Adesanya v Costa Prelims, ESPN2
12.00pm AEST- UFC253: Adesanya v Costa, Main Event