The main event features a rematch as Max Holloway defends the featherweight championship against former titleholder Jose Aldo. In the co-main event, in heavyweight action, former Strikeforce champion and UFC title challenger Alistair Overeem (43-15) battles rising contender Francis Ngannou (10-1).
From top-to-bottom this could be the best card of 2017, including the undercard.
Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 218.
All times Eastern.
UFC 218 date, start time
The first preliminary fight is available for UFC.com’s Fight Pass members beginning at 6:15 p.m. The remaining preliminary fights can be viewed on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 8 p.m. Pay-per-view coverage begins at 10 p.m. Holloway and Aldo should enter the Octagon at around 12:15 a.m.
UFC 218 PPV price, live stream
The main card on pay-per-view can be purchased for $59.99 in HD. For more information on how to order UFC 218 Holloway vs. Aldo 2, contact your TV provider. You can also live-stream UFC 218 and the Holloway vs. Aldo 2 main card on UFC.TV for $59.99.
UFC 218 fight card
Main Card
Max Holloway (c) vs. José Aldo 2 for the UFC featherweight championship Alistair Overeem vs. Francis Ngannou; Heavyweights Henry Cejudo vs. Sergio Pettis; Flyweights Eddie Alvarez vs. Justin Gaethje; Lightweights Tecia Torres vs. Michelle Waterson; Women’s Strawweights
Preliminary Card
Charles Oliveira vs. Paul Felder; Lightweight Alex Oliveira vs. Yancy Medeiros; Welterweight David Teymur vs. Drakkar Klose; Lightweight Felice Herrig vs. Cortney Casey; Women’s Strawweight Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Sabah Homasi; Welterweight Jeremy Kimball vs. Dominick Reyes; Light Heavyweight Justin Willis vs. Allen Crowder; Heavyweight Amanda Cooper vs. Angela Magaña; Women’s Strawweight
UFC 218 preview
The main event was originally scheduled to feature Holloway defending against former lightweight champ and former two-time featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar. About three weeks ago, Edgar had to pull out of the fight due to a facial injury.
When Edgar announced the news, Holloway said he wanted to stay on the card regardless of who the opponent would be. With a short amount of time and in need of a suitable name to fill the main event slot, the UFC decided the former long-reigning champion and pound-for-pound great would be the man for the job.
Ever since his loss to current lightweight champion Conor McGregor back in Aug. 2013, Holloway (18-3) has won 11 consecutive fights. Eight of those wins have come via stoppage including winning the interim title against former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis at UFC 206 last December and Aldo at UFC 212 in June.
The bout six months was close for about a round and a half until Holloway figured out Aldo and controlled the remainder of the contest until finishing the Brazilian near the end of the third round.
Fans have said Aldo doesn’t deserve the opportunity since he just fought Holloway and got stopped. Add in that he’s lost two of his last three fights and already had a bout scheduled against Ricardo Lamas on Dec. 16 at UFC on Fox that he should’ve had to face Lamas, look impressive and then earn the right to fight Holloway.
But, due to Aldo (26-3) being the first and only featherweight champion for over 4 1/2 years, winning 18 consecutive fights and one of the best in the world carried weight with the UFC for their first event in Detroit since UFC 123 in Nov. 2010 and wanting to have a marquee main event.
Steven Muehlhausen is an MMA and boxing writer and contributor for Sporting News. You can listen to his podcast, “The Fight Junkies” here . You can email him at [email protected] and can find him on Twitter @SMuehlhausenMMA .
