UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw viewing and schedule guide
This weekend, the UFC bantamweight title will go up for grabs in the UFC 173 main event as incumbent champion Renan Barao looks to extend his 35 fight unbeaten streak when he takes on upstart Team Alpha Male fighter T.J. Dillashaw.
The headline championship fight grabs the headlines, but there's also a pair of very intriguing bouts dotting the main card with title implications in both.
Daniel Cormier takes on Dan Henderson in the light heavyweight co-main event with the winner of the fight moving onto a world title shot against the victor between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. Also on the card, Robbie Lawler looks to get close to another shot at Johny Hendricks when he takes on the always tough Jake Ellenberger.
Let's also not forget that three Ultimate Fighter winners fight back-to-back-to-back on the UFC 173 prelims airing live on FOX Sports 1.
To make sure you don't miss a minute of the action, here's a schedule and viewing guide for everything going down in Las Vegas this week leading up to fight night on Saturday.
Friday, May 23 at 5p ET -- UFC 175 and Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale On Sale Press Conference
Where to watch: FOXSports.com
Two of the biggest cards of the summer will take place on back-to-back nights in July when the UFC invades Mandalay Bay with UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida as well as The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale taking place 24-hours later.
Before the shows land in Las Vegas, key fighters from both cards as well as UFC president Dana White will answer questions from the media in this special press conference ahead of the UFC 173 weigh-ins on Friday.
The fighters who will be present include: Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida, Ronda Rousey, Alexis Davis, Chael Sonnen, Wanderlei Silva and BJ Penn.
Friday, May 23 at 7p ET -- UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw Weigh-Ins
Where to watch: FOX Sports 2 or FOX Sports GO
The fighters will hit the scale on Friday night to weigh in ahead of Saturday's card. Just a reminder, both of the title fight competitors -- Renan Barao and TJ Dillashaw -- have to hit the 135-pound mark and do not get the extra one pound allowance like non-title fighters do this weekend.
Saturday, May 24 at 6:30p ET -- UFC 173 Early Prelims
Where to watch: UFC Fight Pass
The night kicks off with three fights airing from the preliminary card exclusively on the UFC's digital network, UFC Fight Pass.
Anthony Njokuani vs. Vinc Pichel
Sam Sicilia vs. Aaron Phillips
David Michaud vs. Li Jingliang
Saturday, May 24 at 7:30p ET -- UFC 173 Pre-Fight Show
Where to watch: FOX Sports 1 or FOX Sports GO
Before the fights kick off at the bottom of the hour, hear from the UFC on FOX analysts as they break down the card and give their picks and predictions for what's about to go down in Las Vegas.
Saturday, May 24 at 8p ET-- UFC 173 Prelims Live on FOX Sports 1
Where to watch: FOX Sports 1 or FOX Sports GO
Three Ultimate Fighter winners highlight the preliminary card airing live on FOX Sports 1 including season 18 champion Chris Holdsworth in his first fight since winning the reality show. The fights included in this two-hour broadcast are as follows:
Michael Chiesa vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Tony Ferguson vs. Katsunori Kikuno
Chris Holdsworth vs. Chico Camus
Al Iaquinta vs. Mitch Clarke
Saturday, May 24 at 10p ET -- UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw
Where to watch: Pay-per-view
The night all leads to this -- the UFC 173 main card featuring the bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and T.J. Dillashaw as well as the co-main event pitting two-time Olympian Daniel Cormier against Dan Henderson with the winner moving onto a UFC light heavyweight title bout. The main card includes the following fights:
MAIN EVENT: Renan Barao vs. T.J. Dillashaw
Daniel Cormier vs. Dan Henderson
Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Ellenberger
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Francisco Rivera
Jamie Varner vs. James Krause
Sunday, May 25 at 1a ET -- UFC 173 Post Fight Show
Where to watch: FOX Sports 1 or FOX Sports GO
Following the night of fights, head back over to FOX Sports 1 for all the post fight coverage including analysis, fighter interviews and unexpected announcements that always seem to pop up just minutes after a show ends.