The time for trash-talking has reached a conclusion, so now the time has come for middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and top contender Paulo Costa to throw down in the main event of Watch Live . The event takes place Saturday at Flash Forum on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.

Adesanya is perfect as a professional at 19-0, and won the interim title by beating Kelvin Gastelum in April 2019 before defeating Robert Whittaker in October to become undisputed champ at 185 pounds. After a successful title defense against Yoel Romero in March, Adesanya now faces off with Costa, an undefeated challenger who has vowed to knock the champion out and take the title home to Brazil.

In the co-main event, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will battle for the vacant light heavyweight championship. The title was vacated by Jon Jones earlier this year when he decided to move up to heavyweight after nearly a decade as the best 205-pound fighter in the world.

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Below is all the information you need to catch the UFC 253 event on Saturday night. 

How to watch UFC 253 prelims

Date: Sept. 26 | Location: Flash Forum — Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Stream: Watch ESPN | Channel: ESPN2

How to watch UFC 253 main card

Date: Sept. 26 | Location: Flash Forum — Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Stream: ESPN+ | Price: $64.99

Now, here’s a look at the UFC 253 main fight card and betting odds via William Hill Sportsbook.

UFC 253 main card, odds

FavoriteUnderdogWeightclass
Israel Adesanya (c) -170Paulo Costa +145Middleweight title
Dominick Reyes -280Jan Blachowicz +230Vacant light heavyweight title
Kai Kara-France -240Brandon Royval +200Flyweight
Ketlen Vieira -190Sijara Eubanks +160Women’s bantamweight
Zubaira Tukhugov -135Hakeem Dawodu +115Featherweight

ABU DHABI – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 253 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.

The event takes place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

In the main event, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) puts his title on the line against fellow unbeaten Paulo Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). In the co-main event, the light heavyweight title vacated by Jon Jones is up for grabs when Jan Blachowicz (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) takes on recent title challenger Dominick Reyes (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who suffered a close loss to Jones earlier this year.

Round 1 – Marques kicks off UFC 253 pumping his jab. Immediately, Marques shoots for a takedown. Ibragimov threatens a guillotine choke. The two fighters crash to the canvas but Marques keeps his grip. Back on the feet, Marques is shoving Ibragimov against the cage. Ibragimov grabs a fistful of the cage as Marques tries to drag him to the ground. As a result, Ibragimov ends up on top. Marques slips through his legs and the two fighters are back on the feet. Ibragimov lands a combination. Marques thuds a hard outside kick to Ibragimov’s left lead leg. Ibragimov pushes forward with a combination. Marques is backed up but circles away. Marques is bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Marques shoots for a takedown and the two are against the fence again. Referee Jason Herzog warns Ibragimov not to grab the fence. Marques sweeps Ibragimov’s leg out from under him. The fighters hit the canvas and Marques shifts to Ibragimov’s back. Ibragimov is on his hands and feet, wearing Marques like a backpack. Marques is working a rear-naked choke. With 10 seconds left, Ibragimov tries to dump Marques off the back. The two fighters hit the canvas. Marques tries to adjust his grip but runs out of time. 10-9 Marques.

Round 2 – Ibragimov throws a big punch and misses. He appeared to tweak his shoulder in the process. He’s flexing it but continues fighting. Marques connects on another outside lead leg kick. Marques keeps touching his nose. The damage is bothering him. Both men looked slowed in tempo – and we’re not even halfway through the fight. Minimal strikes are being thrown this round. Ibragimov lets his hands go and misses on every strike. Marques grabs a single leg and dumps Ibragimov to the mat. In the backpack position once again, Marques is working for a rear-naked choke. Ibragimov tries shaking Marques off, but ends up falling to the mat. The fight has reached a stalemate. Marques has his hands wrapped up high on Ibragimov but hasn’t been able to do much of anything. Ibragimov can’t get Marques off. Ibragimov scrambles and Marques rolls with him. The round ends. 20-18 Marques.

Round 3 – Marques lands an outside leg kick and Ibragimov counters with a punch. Marques shoots for a takedown puts Ibragimov grabs the cage – again. Marques falls to the mat and gets back up. Referee Herzog warns Marques again. I’m surprised he didn’t take a point. Those have all been pretty blatant – and effective. Ibragimov looks up at the clock. Both fighters connect – in particular Ibragimov, who landed his best strike of the fight. Ibragimov threatens a guillotine. Marques spins out of it. Ibragimov grabs the cage – again. And – again – Referee Herzog doesn’t take a point. Moments later, Marques gets another takedown. As Marques moves to mount, Ibragimov reverses position. Marques stands up. Ibragimov threatens a guillotine choke but gets taken down again. Marques gets on Ibragimov’s back again and is working for another rear-naked choke. The final horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Marques. Not exactly a hot start to the evening.

Result: Danilo Marques def. Khadis Ibragimov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Records: Khadis Ibragimov (8-4 MMA, 0-4 UFC), Danilo Marques (10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Ahmed Korchi, Anders Ohlsson (29-28, giving Round 3 to Ibragimov); Dave Tirelli (30-27)

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