The new era begins Jan. 19. @ESPN, you ready?! pic.twitter.com/joKTwLvO6Z
— UFC (@ufc) November 4, 2018
The schedule will kick off on Jan. 19 with an event entitled UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night, which will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. No bouts were announced for the card, but a welterweight clash between Stephen Thompson and Robbie Lawler has been rumored for the event.
The length of the debut ESPN+ card doesn’t appear to differ much from past Fox Sports 1 offerings. According to a release, UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night will begin at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and end at approximately 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT.
The UFC will make its official ESPN Network debut on Sunday, Feb. 17 with a Fight Night card from Talking Stick Resort in Phoenix. No bouts have been announced or rumored for the card.
The first three months of 2019 will feature a trio of pay-per-views. The promotion will travel to the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., for UFC 233 on Jan. 26, while UFC 234 will take place Feb. 9 at an as-yet-to-be announced location. UFC 235 is set for March 2 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
All told, the UFC will hold 11 events through the first three months of 2018. That includes three pay-per-views, seven UFC on ESPN+ Fight Nights and two UFC on ESPN Fight Nights.