LOS ANGELES, CA – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC) returns to England on Saturday, Oct. 26 for its inaugural UFC FIGHT NIGHT on FOX Sports 2. Former light heavyweight champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida begins his quest for a new title in the middleweight division, facing No. 5-ranked “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Mark Munoz, headlining three hours of live fights from the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester. Plus, The Ultimate Fighter® season nine winner, Ross Pearson, squares off against fellow lightweight slugger Melvin Guillard in the co-main event.
UFC TV analyst Joe Rogan believes the headliner is an intriguing fight because of the clash of styles Munoz and Machida offer: “Mark Munoz is a world class wrestler and has trained with Machida in the past, so he’ll know his mannerisms and style. Machida brings a really unique aspect to the middleweight division that hasn’t been seen before: his crazy karate game, wild and unpredictable kicking technique, and sniper-like attacks. It’s going to be really interesting to see him battle against a guy like Munoz, a top-flight 185er.”
In the headline bout, Machida (19-4) faces Munoz (13-3) in a five-round test of styles. Rounding out the main card’s six fights, Pearson (17-6) faces veteran Guillard (48-13-3, 1NC) in a lightweight battle. Undefeated light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa (13-0) fights Ryan Jimmo (18-2). Lightweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, Norman Parke (19-2) clashes with undefeated Jon Tuck (7-0). Middleweight Alessio Sakara (19-10) battles Nicholas Musoke (10-2, 1NC) and Phil Harris (22-10, 1NC) takes on No. 5 ranked John Lineker (22-6) in a flyweight bout.
Jon Anik has the play-by-play call for the fights from England along with longtime UFC analyst Rogan.
Coverage of UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACHIDA VS. MUNOZ begins Friday, Oct. 25 (11:00 AM ET) on FOX Sports 2 with the live UFC WEIGH-IN. Veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant hosts the show, with current UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and heavyweight Daniel Cormier providing analysis from the FOX Sports studios in Los Angeles. British MMA Journalist Gareth A Davies interviews fighters on-site in Manchester.
Fight day kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 26 with the ONLINE PRELIMS streaming on FOX Sports’ digital arm, FOXSports.com, starting at 12:00 PM ET. The UFC FIGHT NIGHT PREFIGHT SHOW begins on FOX Sports 2 at 2:00 PM ET with host Jay Glazer, Cormier and Cruz previewing all the bouts from the FOX Sports studios. The action wraps up later that evening with the UFC FIGHT NIGHT POSTFIGHT SHOW on FOX Sports 2 at 6:00 PM ET.
Additionally, FOX Sports’ Spanish-language network FOX Deportes has live coverage of the main card fights. Victor Davila and Fabricio Werdum call the fights.
In the week leading up to fight night, FOXSports.com features previews and extended coverage of UFC FIGHT NIGHT, including interviews with the main fighters and a live blog during the fights. Follow @UFConFOX on Twitter and use the hashtag #UFCFightNight for the latest updates.
Watch UFC announcers Mike Goldberg and Rogan preview the upcoming UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACHIDA VS. MUNOZ: http://youtu.be/DmmLN8zIOpg
Following the fights from England, UFC returns stateside for the UFC FIGHT FOR THE TROOPS: KENNEDY VS. NATAL, live on FOX Sports 1 on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
For more information on how to watch FOX Sports 2: http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsports1
