If you’re looking forward to watching the return of Conor McGregor at UFC 257 next month, then you’re going to have to plump up the cash to see it.
That’s because the event will be shown live on BT Sport’s Box Office, and access will set you back a probable £19.99 (the official price is yet to be announced but that’s the usual cost of UFC PPVs on the BT platform).
McGregor will take on lightweight contender Dustin Poirier in a highly-anticipated rematch that has major title implications. The two squared off six years ago at UFC 178 when McGregor scored a knockout to truly announce his arrival on the main stage. Although Poirier tasted defeat that night, he’s since gone on to cement himself as a force at 155lbs, and the winner will likely receive the next shot at the coveted title.
Anyone wanting to witness the action will have to pay for the privilege, though. Needing to pay to watch UFC events is still pretty unfamiliar territory for UK fans. While spectators across the pond have been paying for MMA action since it first came on the screen in the 90s, over here it’s been a different story and BT has only been charging PPV payments for a short while. Even then it’s only been in place for a select few events.
The last time fans had to pay for was the Khabib Vs Gaethje fight last month but for that event it was perhaps more palatable as the main card kicked off at 7pm UK time. Although the location for the upcoming UFC 257 is yet to be announced it’s likely to start in the early hours of Sunday morning in to appeal to the American audience, who’ll be tuning in much earlier due to the time difference. This makes it a much harder sell for UK fans.
As of yet not much is known about the event other than the headliners are McGregor and Dustin Poirier. UFC President Dana White said the company may rearrange the calendar to celebrate International Fight Week in January this time around, so expect some great fights on the card, in addition to the mouth-watering re-match that tops the bill.