Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is scheduled to make its debut on the ABC network beginning with the UFC Fight Island 7 mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Jan. 16, headlined by the featherweight showdown between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar.
While the promotion has yet to announce upcoming dates for ABC, the network is expected to remain a “viable option” for future UFC fights, according to Sports Business Journal, which sounds like a protracted commercial to drive ESPN+ subscriptions.
Those combat sports fans excited about the addition of ABC probably forgot the dark days of UFC on FOX, when most telecasts omitted fighter walkouts, post-fight interviews, and other “fight night” exclusives to make way for the network’s 17,342 commercials.
UFC Fight Island 7 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET with preliminary card bouts on ESPN+, followed by the main card action at 3 p.m. ET on both ESPN+ and ABC. In addition to Holloway vs. Kattar, UFC Fight Island 7 will also feature the the welterweight showdown between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Li Jingliang.
To see the rest of the UFC Fight Island 7 fight card and lineup click here.