UFC is set to make its Fight Night on ESPN+ debut, with the showdown between UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo and UFC bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw for Cejudo’s 125-pound title belt, live from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center this Saturday.
Front Row asked ESPN.com’s lead MMA writer Brett Okamoto about covering UFC heading into the big weekend.
What’s your favorite UFC event you’ve ever covered?
UFC 132. I loved the Dominick Cruz-Urijah Faber rivalry. One of my all-time favorites. And I will always have a soft spot for events at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. UFC has moved on from that venue to Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, but there was always a “big fight” feel at MGM.
What does the company’s deal with UFC mean for how you will cover UFC going forward?
I have always tried to cover the sport objectively and fair, and I will continue to do that during this deal. I am excited, though, at the increase in interest ESPN has in MMA and I can’t wait to share the stories and background of this sport with a new audience.
What’s the best part of the new MMA FightCenter on the ESPN App and ESPN.com?
Stats. I’m a stat guy. I was the kid who would study the backs of baseball cards. Stats don’t tell you everything in sports, particularly MMA, but they can add a lot — and getting them in real time on FightCenter is very cool.
What ESPN personality would make the best MMA fighter?
Gotta go with [ESPN boxing analyst] Teddy Atlas. Obvious answer, but it’s the truth. If I were to get in a fight tomorrow, I’d want Teddy with me.
Use one word to describe your colleagues:
ESPN MMA host Ariel Helwani: Hardworking.
ESPN MMA analyst Chael Sonnen: Lovely.
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— Tracy Gale (@tracytgale) January 16, 2019
It’s nearly 1am in New York. TJ Dillashaw and his team just wrapped a weight cutting session at 24-hour fitness. He will only now eat his dinner for the night and drink some water. Everyone is very positive on where he’s at ahead of tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/PwbhWTCCt5
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 18, 2019
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– Molly Mita
3. ESPN+ airs its first UFC card exclusively on ESPN+ on Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET.
