The time for talking is almost over, UFC 196 is almost here.
Conor McGregor may not be getting the opportunity to become a dual champion at UFC 196, but the main event features two of the promotion's most colourful characters slugging it out for bragging rights.
Diaz came into this bout as a late replacement for the injured Rafael dos Anjos who broke his foot in camp. As Diaz was booked with just 12 days notice, the bout was bumped up from a 155 lb title fight to a welterweight bout with no belts going on the line.
In the co-headliner, we have Holly Holm attempting to defend her 135 lb belt for the first time since claiming the title with that thunderous head kick that rendered Ronda Rousey unconscious at UFC 193. Number-two ranked contender Miesha Tate will be taking on the newly crowned champion in arguably the most stylistically interesting bout on the entire card.
When?
UFC 196 takes place at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday March 5, with the main card beginning at 3am on Sunday morning (Irish time). The preliminary card is due to kick off 1 am, while the early prelims begin at 11:30 pm.
The Irish interest
It's time to put on our Mystic Mac hats and make a prediction. While there's no way of predicting exactly when the main event will take place, we reckon you'll be safe tuning in from about 5 am if all you want to catch is McGregor v Diaz and maybe a bit of the title fight co-main event.
Who's on it?
Early prelims:
Julian Erosa vs Teruto Ishihara
Jason Saggo vs Juston Salas
Diego Sanchez vs Jim Miller
Prelims:
Darren Elkins #11 FW vs Chas Kelly
Vitor Miranda vs Marcelo Guimaraes
Erick Silva vs Nordine Taleb
Brandon Thatch vs Siyar Bahadurzada
Main card:
Amanda Nunes #4 WBW vs Valentina Shevchenko #11 WBW
Corey Anderson #12 MW vs Tom Lawlor
Gian Villante #13 MW vs Ilir Latifi
Holly Holm WBW Champ vs Miesha Tate #2 WBW (five rounds for the Women's bantamweight title)
Conor McGregor FW Champ vs Nate Diaz #5 LW (five round welterweight bout)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4glkkSrTkhc
Where to watch?
At home
BT Sport 2 will be showing the action from the preliminary card starting at 1 am (Irish time).
If you do not have that channel in your TV package you can buy the pay-per-view via Fight Pass or UFC TV in HD for €24.99 or standard definition for €19.99. If you are a new customer to Fight Pass you qualify for a free seven day trial once you sign up. The early preliminary card featuring Digeo Sanchez vs Jim Miller is exclusive to Fight Pass.
If you don't like either of those options, but also don't want the result spoiled, you could go Full Mugabe Media Lockdown and wait for 3e to show the entire main card on Monday March 7 from 9 pm.
Viewing parties
The Red Cow Inn, Naas Rd will be livestreaming the event with doors opening at 11:45 pm on Saturday. It's a strictly over 18's event featuring a full late bar, DJ acts and VIP tables upon request. Tickets cost €20 and you can buy them
here.
The Living Room on Cathal Brugha street are showing the main card from 3 am at a ticketed event. Entry for the event is through Murrays bar and last admission is 4am. Alcohol will not be sold past 2:30am. Tickets now on sale for €20 and can be purchased from the bar.
Sin Nightclub on Sycamore Street, D2 will also be livestreaming the card. Tickets cost €15 and for the over 20's event. Doors open at 10 pm with last entry at 1 am. Check out the event's
Facebook page for more information.
If you know of any other viewing parties around the country, don't hesitate to send the information to editorial@sportsjoe.ieor hit us up on Facebook and Twitter
