MMA
What channel is UFC 253? Time, TV schedule, live stream for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
Israel Adesanya will step into Octagon on Saturday night, looking to defend his middleweight title for the second time, against Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC 253 on 'Fight Island' from the Flash Forum at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The fight marks the first time since UFC 98, when Lyoto Machida knocked out Rashad Evans to win the light heavyweight strap, that two unbeaten male fighters will battle it for a title.
The animosity between Adesanya and Costa runs deep, punctuated by the heated confrontation on Friday in their last face-to-face encounter in which both guys had to be separated by security officers.
Adesanya has competed once in 2020, at UFC 248, defeating Yoel Romero by unanimous decision to successfully defend the title for the first time. Costa steps into the Octagon for the first time since UFC 241 in August 2019, beating Romero by unanimous decision in an all-action contest.
Whoever emerges with the belt at the end of UFC 253 becomes the best middleweight in the world.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch UFC 253, including channels, pay-per-view prices and fight times.
UFC 253: TV channel, live stream for Adesanya vs. Costa
United States
The early prelims (7 p.m ET) are on UFC Fight Pass, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The prelims (8 p.m.) continue on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+, followed by the ESPN+ main card pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET.
Canada
The early prelims are on TSN and UFC Fight Pass, the prelims are on TSN and RDS, and the PPV main card is available on Bell, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
Australia
The early prelims (8 a.m. AEST Sunday) are on UFC Fight Pass, the prelims (10 a.m. AEST Sunday) are on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN, and the PPV main card (12 p.m. AEST Sunday) is on Main Event, Fetch TV, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
Brazil
Both the prelims (7 p.m. BRT) and main card (11 p.m. BRT) are on Combate.
Germany
The early prelims (12:30 a.m. CEST Sunday) and prelims (2 a.m. CEST Sunday) are on UFC Fight pass. The main card (4 a.m. CEST Sunday) is on UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass and on DAZN, the global sports streaming service.
Ireland
The early prelims (11:30 p.m. BST) are on UFC Fight Pass, the prelims (1 a.m. BST Sunday) are on BT Sport 1 and UFC Fight pass, and the main card (3 a.m. BST) is on BT Sport 1.
Italy
The early prelims (12:30 a.m. CEST Sunday) and prelims (2 a.m. CEST Sunday) are on UFC Fight pass. The main card (4 a.m. CEST Sunday) is on UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass and on DAZN, the global sports streaming service.
Mexico
In Mexico, the early prelims are on UFC Fight Pass, the prelims are on Fox Sports and UFC Fight Pass, and the main card (9 p.m. MEX) is on Fox Sports.
Spain
The eary prelims (12:30 a.m. CEST Sunday) and prelims (2 a.m. CEST Sunday) are on UFC Fight pass and DAZN. The main card (4 a.m. CEST Sunday) is on UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass and on DAZN, the global sports streaming service.
United Kingdom
The early prelims (11:30 p.m. BST) are on UFC Fight Pass, the prelims (1 a.m. BST Sunday) are on BT Sport 1 and UFC Fight pass, and the main card (3 a.m. BST) is on BT Sport 1.
You can learn more about how to watch in other countries at UFC.com.
What time does UFC 253 start?
- UFC early prelims: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT
- UFC 253 prelims: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
- UFC 253 PPV: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
Broadcast coverage of UFC 253 will begin with the early prelims at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The pay-per-view event is slated to begin at 10 p.m. ET. Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa are expected to enter the Octagon at about 12:15 a.m. ET for their rubber match, although the exact time depends on the length of earlier bouts.
How much is UFC 253 pay-per-view?
- PPV price: $64.99 USD
The main card of UFC 253 is available via pay-per-view in the United States on ESPN+, which requires a monthly or annual subscription. The PPV price for UFC 253 is $64.99 for current subscribers. For new subscribers, a bundle price of UFC 253 and an ESPN+ yearly subscription is $84.98.
Pricing varies globally, depending on region and platform.
UFC 253 full fight card
Main card
- Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa for Adesanya's middleweight title
- Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz for vacant Light Heavyweight title
- Kai Kara-France vs. Brandon Royval; Flyweight
- Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks; Women's Bantamweight
- Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov; Featherweight
Preliminary card
- Brad Riddell vs. Alex Da Silva; Lightweight
- Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Matthews; Welterweight
- Shane Young vs. Ludovit Klein; Featherweight
- William Knight vs. Aleksa Camur; Light Heavyweight
- Juan Espino vs. Jeff Hughes; Heavyweight
- Khadis Ibragimov vs. Danilo Marques; Light Heavyweight
