UFC is gaining more popularity in Nigeria with each passing day, and we have the likes of Israel Adesanya aka ‘The Last Stylebender’ and ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, Kamaru Usman, to thank for that. These combat sports warriors have been putting Nigeria on the map one fight at a time.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial art (MMA) like wrestling but has its own rules, albeit minimal, and peculiarities.
This weekend’s #UFC259 fight card featuring Israel Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz promises to be one of 2021’s biggest UFC shows to go down from Las Vegas. The #UFC259 will see no less than three UFC title fights on its main card, while the show’s undercard is also filled with excellent clashes.
Here are 5 things you need to know about the UFC ahead of the fight on Sunday.
Israel Adesanya has a solid record to defend- The Last Stylebender, Adesanya has won 20 straight fights in a row! In fact, he has not lost a single fight in his middleweight category. Israel is considered the next big thing in the UFC. He faces a formidable opponent in Polish, Jan Błachowicz on March 7th, 2021. If Adesanya is to retain his belt, pedigree, and of course his unbeaten status, he cannot afford to lose this fight.
Women also compete in the UFC- As brutal a sport as the UFC is, one might be tempted to think it’s only a sport for men but nope, women compete in the same sport too. Stars like Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson have been holding it down over the years in the sport. Nunes and Amanda also face off March 7 in an epic featherweight contest that promises to be as entertaining as the men’s battles if not even more entertaining!
It can be Financially Rewarding- These fighters do not beat up their bodies for nothing; they get paid for it! The average UFC fighter made $147,965 in 2020, up from average earnings of $146,673 in 2019. 219 fighters (38%) earned six-figures last year alone. As much as they love physical combat, they are getting paid to do it.
Nigerians are Taking Over the UFC- Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman are not the only Nigerians making waves in the UFC, Sodiq Yusuff and Kennedy Nzechukwu are also contracted fighters, and the quartet hold an impressive win-loss record in the UFC (Over 30 wins and 1 loss).
Most Fights are in the Wee Hours- Most UFC fights always come in the wee hours of the morning for Nigeria obviously because of the time difference. But fans of the sport in Nigeria do not mind, they stay up in these wee hours to watch, especially when Adesanya or Usman are in action. They watch the fights LIVE and in glorious HD on SuperSport.
On the 7th of March, the #UFC259 will see Isreal Adesanya in action against Polish fighter Jan Błachowicz as he aims to protect his stellar record. That same day, Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson will battle it out in the female category while Yan takes on Sterling.
You can watch all these exciting UFC fight cards LIVE on SuperSport Action on DStv or SuperSport Grandstand from 2 am, available to DStv Premium and Compact Plus subscribers. Alternatively, you can watch on the DStv app which is available to download from the Apple and Google Play app stores.
Not on DStv Premium or Compact Plus? Then take advantage of the ongoing DStv Step Up offer. If you are on Confam package, pay N7,900 for Compact and get a boost to Compact Plus package. Likewise, Compact customers only pay N12,400 for Compact Plus package and in turn, get Premium package worth N18,400 per month.
Find out more on www.dstvafrica.com Download the MyDStv app to switch your package and other self-service options.
