ESPN confirmed today what was reported by MMA Junkie that the UFC’s FIGHT NIGHT on January 16 will take air on ABC. According to the network’s press release, the event will be simulcast on ABC and ESPN+.
The telecast on ABC will air at 3pm ET, 12pm PT as it appears that the entire main card will be shown on the network. The main event will feature Max Holloway against Calvin Kattar.
The prelims will begin on ESPN+ at 12pm ET, 9am PT.
UFC Fight Night on January 16th will mark the first event of 2021 for the promotion at it will emanate from Fight Island on Abu Dhabi.
The telecast on the network will oppose the NFL Playoffs as it will be the Divisional Round for the NFC and AFC which will air on Fox, CBS and NBC. One of the games will be shown in the same timeframe as the UFC event.
Payout Perspective:
The afternoon scheduling of the event was likely done so that it would not interfere with prime-time programming. The word is that ABC will look to air more sports in 2021. In all likelihood, the NFL Playoff game that the UFC will oppose will be the least strongest of all four that will air as one game will air in primetime on Saturday night and the other two will air on Sunday. For the UFC, the spot helps it with the promotion of the return of Conor McGregor the next week at UFC 257 as he faces Dustin Poirier.
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