'UFC 173: Weidman vs. Machida' lineup finalized, Varner-Krause kicks off PPV
The 12-bout lineup is set for May’s “UFC 173: Weidman vs. Machida†event.
UFC 173 takes place May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. A title fight between middleweight champion Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Lyoto Machida (21-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC), who recently replaced Vitor Belfort, headlines the pay-per-view main card.
In the co-headliner, former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos (16-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) takes on rising contender Stipe Miocic (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC). Additionally, the PPV lineup includes lightweights Tony Ferguson (14-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (22-5-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and bantamweights T.J. Dillashaw (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (19-7-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC).
And sticking with tradition, the UFC chose a potential “Fight of the Night†winner to kick off the main card. Lightweights Jamie Varner (21-9-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC) and James Krause (20-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) get the high-profile slot.
In addition to the PPV main card, FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass carry the night’s preliminary card.
The full UFC 173 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
Champ Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida – for middleweight title
Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Tony Ferguson vs. Katsunori Kikuno
James Krause vs. Jamie Varner
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)
Michael Chiesa vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Chris Holdsworth vs. Kyung Ho Kang
Mitch Clarke vs. Al Iaquinta
Anthony Njokuani vs. Vinc Pichel
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Yves Edwards vs. Piotr Hallmann
Doo Ho Choi vs. Sam Sicilia
Jingliang Li vs. Danny Mitchell
