The best UFC moments so far in 2023!
Mar 29Fight Island: UFC triple-header continues with Michael Chiesa vs Neil Magny and Conor McGregor’s return against Dustin Poirier
The UFC is back in Fight Island with two more unmissable cards this week culminating with Notorious’ UFC 257 return.
The UFC returned to Fight Island for the first of three unmissable cards in a week when Max Holloway turned on the style to dominate Calvin Kattar in the main event.
The action continues when welterweight rivals Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny face off on Wednesday 20 January.
Then, the big one, Conor McGregor makes his return against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 available exclusively on BT Sport Box Office.
As usual, if you miss any of the action from Chiesa vs Magny you can catch up with our brilliant enhanced video player on the BT Sport app on your mobile or tablet and btsport.com.
But right now, read on for previews, broadcast information and build-up to a huge week as the UFC brings in 2021 in style.
Michael Chiesa vs Neil Magny
Wednesday 20 January | 3pm | BT Sport 3 HD | Live stream
In a rare midweek treat for UFC fans, welterweight rivals Chiesa and Magny will face off on Fight Island.
Number-eight ranked Chiesa beat Rafael dos Anjos last January, while Magny claimed a unanimous decision victory over Robbie Lawler in August.
It promises to be an intriguing main event match-up between grappling specialist Chiesa and renowned high-volume striker Magny.
Michael Chiesa said: “You can’t expect to look good beating Neil.
“That’s a tough expectation to put on yourself when you’ve got a guy as well-rounded as he is. He doesn’t really have any glaring weaknesses.
“He’s just a good all-around fighter. He’s very well-conditioned. He comes from a good team. Good human being. There’s really nothing bad I can say about the guy. He’s just a good all-around sport.”
Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor
Saturday 23 January | 1am | BT Sport Box Office | How to watch
Conor McGregor makes his hugely-anticipated Octagon return against Dustin Poirier in the rematch the world is talking about on BT Sport Box Office on Saturday 23 January.
The former two-weight world champion, 32, announced his retirement last June for the third time in four years but returns to take on Poirier five-and-a-half years after he comprehensively dismantled the American at UFC 178.
‘Notorious’ returned from a high-profile loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in Las Vegas in 2018 with an impressive win over the legendary Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone last January, while Poirier himself bounced back from defeat to Khabib with a decision win over Dan Hooker.
With Khabib currently out of the picture, the winner of the mouth-watering match-up will be in line for a shot at the lightweight title in 2021.
The stacked card also features another lightweight contest between Hooker and UFC debutant Michael Chandler and the women’s flyweight bout between Jessica Eye and Joanne Calderwood.
The return of one of the planet’s most electrifying sports stars rounds off a superb week of UFC action, so don’t miss any of the drama with BT Sport Box Office.
Max Holloway beat Calvin Kattar: Watch replay
Former featherweight champion Max Holloway produced a masterclass to dismantle Calvin Kattar in a thrilling first UFC event of 2021.
The fan-favourite completely dominated number six-ranked Kattar over five absorbing rounds, winning 50-43, 50-43, 50-42 on the scorecards.
It was the perfect response to his controversial loss to Alex Volkanovski last year and such was his superiority the Hawaii native was even talking to the commentators while evading punches.
“I was having the time of my life,” Holloway said after his victory. “I got to talk to DC (Daniel Cormier) a bit in there, let him know I'm coming for his job.
“People were calling me out. I was once known as one of the better boxers in MMA and this guy was coming up and saying he was one of the best boxers.
“As long as you can take it, I'm going to give it. As long as the ref lets you stay in there, I'm going to keep giving it... I was telling my coaches, I didn't know I punched that much.”
