UFC 266: Everything You Need To Know About The Event

UFC returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a thrilling pair of world championship bouts at UFC 266. Here is everything you need to know about the event.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega Preview

The Ultimate Fighter coaches collide when UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends his title against No. 2 ranked contender Brian Ortega. Volkanovski (22-1, fighting out of Windang, NSW, Australia) aims to continue his run atop the featherweight division with another dominant performance. The former rugby player turned MMA star holds impressive victories over Max Holloway (twice), Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes.

Volkanovski now has his sights set on getting the last laugh against Ortega and securing his second successful title defense.

Submission wizard Ortega (15-1 1NC, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.) turned heads in his last outing by putting on a striking clinic against Chan Sung Jung in October. A talented Brazilian JiuJitsu black belt, he has also netted spectacular wins over Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson and Clay Guida. Ortega now aims to settle the score with Volkanovski and achieve his dream of capturing UFC gold.

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy Preview

The co-main event will see UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko go for her sixth consecutive title defense when she meets No. 3 ranked contender Lauren Murphy.

Shevchenko (21-3, fighting out of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) has proven herself to be among the most dominant champions in UFC history. A decorated kickboxer, she has delivered memorable victories against Jessica Eye, Holly Holm, and Julianna Pena. Shevchenko now looks to continue building her legacy with another show-stealing title defense.

Murphy (15-4, fighting out of Houston, Texas) intends to shock the world by becoming the first fighter to defeat Shevchenko at 125 pounds. During her UFC run, the 11-year MMA veteran has earned notable victories over Joanne Calderwood, Andrea Lee and Mara Romero Borella. Murphy is now gunning to dethrone Shevchenko and become only the third women’s flyweight champion in UFC history.

Robbie Lawler vs. Nick Diaz Preview

In a highly anticipated rematch, Nick Diaz returns against former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in a five-round thriller.

MMA superstar Diaz (26-9 2NC, fighting out of Stockton, Calif.) returns to the Octagon for the first time in over six years. Throughout his epic career, he has secured sensational wins against former UFC champions BJ Penn, Frank Shamrock and Lawler. Diaz now intends to remind fans he’s still  among the best in the world by taking out Lawler a second time.

Lawler (28-15 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) hopes to even the score with Diaz 17 years following their first encounter. The former UFC welterweight champion has delivered thrilling knockouts against Rory MacDonald, Jake Ellenberger and Josh Koscheck, and he now aims to secure a measure of revenge against Diaz and begin climbing the ladder back to the belt.

Additional bouts on the main card include:

In a pivotal heavyweight contenders’ bout, No. 4 ranked Curtis Blaydes (14-3 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) takes on No. 6 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12-2, fighting out of Paramaribo, Suriname)

No. 1 ranked Jessica Andrade (21-9, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) faces No.5 Cynthia Calvillo (9-2-1, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.) in an exciting clash of women’s flyweight contenders

No. 6 ranked bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes (23-8-1, fighting out of Parkland, Fla. by way of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) aims for another highlight-reel finish when he squares off with surging No. 10 Merab Dvalishvili (13-4, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y. by way of Tbilisi, Georgia)

No. 8 lightweight contender Dan Hooker (20-10, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) looks to defend his spot in the rankings when he takes on Nasrat Haqparast (13-3, fighting out of Hamburg, Germany)

In a pivotal heavyweight contenders’ bout, No. 7 ranked Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-5) fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) faces No. 10 Chris Daukaus (11-3, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.)

No. 9 ranked women’s flyweight contender Roxanne Modafferi (25-19, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) looks to stop the momentum of No. 12 Taila Santos (17-1, fighting out of Balneário Camboriú, SC, Brazil)

Undefeated Uros Medic (7-0, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska by way of Novi Sad, Serbia) meets Jalin Turner (10-5, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.) in an intriguing lightweight bout

Manon Fiorot (7-1, fighting out of Nice, France) hopes for another impressive finish when she takes on submission ace Mayra Bueno Silva (7-1-1, fighting out of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) at flyweight

In a clash of Dana White’s Contender Series veterans Karl Roberson (9-4, fighting out of Neptune, N.J.) takes on Nick Maximov (6-0, fighting out of Stockton, Calif.) at middleweight

Matthew Semelsberger (8-3, fighting out of Frederick, Md.) squares off with UFC newcomer Martin Sano (4-2-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) at welterweight

Jonathan Pearce (10-4, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Johnson City, Tenn.) meets Omar Morales (11-1, fighting out of Miami, Fla. by way of Caracas, Venezuela) in a featherweight bout

How to watch UFC 266 in India | UFC 266 India Time and Channel

UFC 266 will be live in India on Sunday, 26 September 2021 from 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) On SONY TEN 2 & SONY TEN 2 HD, SONY TEN 3 & SONY TEN 3 HD (Hindi). The Ultimate Guide to UFC 266: Pre Show (UFC 266) will be live from 7:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) and The Ultimate Guide to UFC 266: Post Show (UFC 266) will be live from 11:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST)

What are your predictions? Let us know in the comment section of the article below.

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