After a week off, the UFC is back for its latest visit to the “City of Lights” with ranked lightweights at the top of the lineup.
Here’s how to watch UFC Fight Night 243 with 155-pounders in the headlining spot, plus middleweights in the co-feature in Paris.
John Gooden, Dominick Cruz, Michael Bisping
UFC Fight Night 243 has a main card that starts at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at noon ET.
Stay tuned to MMA Junkie for further broadcast details this week.
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Renato Moicano (blue gloves) fights Jalin Turner (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Record: 19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC
Opponent: Benoit Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Jalin Turner, Drew Dober, Brad Riddell, Alexander Hernandez, Cub Swanson, Calvin Kattar
Misc.: Moicano, a Brazilian who trains at American Top Team in Florida, has not fought outside the U.S. since just before the pandemic – a 44-second submission of Damir Hadzovic in Brazil.
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Record: 13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC
Opponent: Renato Moicano (19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Key wins: Matt Frevola, Thiago Moises, Ismael Bonfim, Gabriel Miranda
Misc.: This is Saint Denis’ favorite time of year: UFC Paris week. The promotion’s first two visits to his capital city resulted in $50,000 stoppage bonuses for him.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 06: (L-R) Brendan Allen punches Chris Curtis in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Record: 24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC
Opponent: Nassourdine Imavov (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Chris Curtis, Paul Craig, Bruno Silva,
Misc.: Allen has been an RNC machine during his current streak. Five of his seven straight wins have been by rear-naked chokes, including three for $50,000 bonuses.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Nassourdine Imavov of Russia punches Roman Dolidze of Georgia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Record: 14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC
Opponent: Brendan Allen (24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan
Misc.: It’s a home game for Russia’s Imavov, who lives and trains in France. Remarkably, Imavov has been favored against eight straight opponents (including a bout with Kelvin Gastelum that was canceled twice) – and three have been future champions or former or future title challengers.
Record: 14-3
Opponent: Ion Cutelaba (17-10-1 MMA, 6-9-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Misc.: 32-year-old Croatian has 11 of his 14 wins by stoppage.
Sep 2, 2023; Paris, France; William Gomis (red gloves) fights Yanis Ghemmouri (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 01: Ailin Perez of Argentina celebrates defeating Joselyne Edwards of Panama in their bantamweight bout during UFC 302 at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
