Dana White has announced that UFC 254 will not take place as other UFC events are scheduled. In light of Khabib Nurmagomedov competing against Justin Gaethje in a title unification match for the UFC Lightweight Champion, the promotion has decided to hold the event at a time which is equally friendly to both European and Russian audience. The last time around when Khabib Nurmagomedov competed inside the octagon, it garnered almost 25% population of Russia who tuned in to watch Khabib Nurmagomedov defend his title belt against interim Champion Dustin Poirier.
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It’s a move that makes absolute sense from the business point of view. If we go back, UFC 242 also took place in a similar manner, with the event concluding early evening in the United States. UFC 254 is scheduled to take place on Fight Island.
When will UFC 254 take place?
According to UFC President Dana White, UFC 254 will take place in the afternoon in the United States. While he has not revealed the exact timing of the event, it is likely to go down at a time which is more suitable to the European and Russian audience.
“Yes, time-friendly, Yes it will. It will happen in the afternoon here.” Dana White stated in a recent interaction after the conclusion of the recent episode of Dana White Contender Series.
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UFC 254 promises to be the most packed card of this year. With Khabib Nurmagomedov set to face his most dangerous adversary yet in the form of Justin Gaethje, UFC 254 will also see Robert Whittaker take on Jared Cannonier for the #1 contender’s match for the UFC Middleweight Championship. Additionally, Zabit Magomedsharipov is expected to take on Yair Rodrigues in a potential #1 contender’s match for the UFC Featherweight Championship. In the same card, Islam Makachev will welcome Rafael dos Anjos back to the lightweight division, with a likely possibility of Dustin Poirier taking on Tony Ferguson in the co-main event of the evening.
UFC 254 will mark the return of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and with a stacked card like this, UFC 254 is bound to go down as one the most exciting PPV’s in the history of UFC. While Dustin Poirier vs Tony Ferguson is not confirmed yet, UFC President Dana White has revealed that the company is looking at making it happen.