The UFC returns to "Fight Island" for the next five weeks, beginning this Saturday as UFC 253 takes center stage from the Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
The main event features arguably the two best 185-pound fighters in the world as Israel Adesanya defends the middleweight championship against No. 2-ranked Paulo Costa. The matchup will be the first time since UFC 98, when Lyoto Machida knocked out Rashad Evans, that two unbeaten competitors square off in a title fight.
The Adesanya and Costa feud got hot after the former knocked out Robert Whittaker to become the undisputed champion at UFC 243. After the contest, Adesanya dared Costa, who was in the crowd, to come into the Octagon. Since then, the two have traded barbs back and forth, and now the score will be settled at UFC 253.
Adesanya last competed at UFC 248, defeating Yoel Romero by unanimous decision. Like Adesanya, Costa's previous bout came against Romero in an all-action affair, winning by unanimous decision at UFC 241. After the confrontation with Adesanya at UFC 243, it was revealed that Costa had to have bicep surgery, which forced Adesanya to face Romero first.
The co-main event is for the vacant light heavyweight title as No. 1-ranked Dominick Reyes takes on No. 3-ranked Jan Blachowicz. Jon Jones vacated the belt in August, intending to move up to heavyweight. Whoever wins at UFC 253 will be the first person since UFC 128 that the 205-pound belt will be held someone not named Jon Jones or Daniel Cormier.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch UFC 253 on PPV, including pricing information.
How much is the UFC 253: Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa pay-per-view price?
- PPV price (U.S.): $64.99
- UFC 253 with ESPN+ annual subcription bundle: $84.98
The UFC 253 main card is available in the United States via pay per view on ESPN+, which requires a monthly or annual subscription. The standalone PPV price for UFC 253 is $64.99 for current subscribers. For new subscribers, a bundle cost of UFC 253 and an ESPN+ annual subscription is $84.98.
Viewers in Germany, Austria, Spain and Italy can watch UFC 253 on DAZN, which has monthly subscription options. For current subscribers in those countries, UFC 253 is included as part of the subscription.
Pricing globally varies, depending on region and platform.
When is UFC 253: Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa?
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
- Early prelims: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT
- Prelims: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
- PPV main card: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
- Adesanya vs. Costa fight: 12:15 a.m. ET | 9:15 PT (approx.)
UFC 253 takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, with the pay-per-view main card starting at 10 p.m. ET. Adesanya and Costa are expected to hit the Octagon at 12:15 a.m. ET approximately, although the exact time depends on the length of the earlier fights.
UFC 253: TV channel, live stream for Adesanya vs. Costa
In the United States, the early prelims begin at 7 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass, ESPN 2 and ESPN+. The prelims will continue exclusively on ESPN 2 and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. From there, the ESPN+ pay-per-view main card starts at 10 p.m. ET.
In Canada, the early prelims and prelims are on TSN, and the PPV main card is available to order on Bell, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus and Eastlink, as well as UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
To see TV, live stream and pricing information for other countries, visit UFC.com.
UFC 253 full fight card
Main card
- Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Paulo Costa for Adesanya's Middleweight title
- Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Błachowicz 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. Ľudovít Klein; Featherweight
- William Knight vs. Aleksa Camur; Light Heavyweight
- Juan Espino vs. Jeff Hughes; Heavyweight
- Khadis Ibragimov vs. Danilo Marques; Light Heavyweight