The UFC returns to its home terrain after a trip to Australia, bringing fans a stacked lineup featuring ranked middleweights at the helm. In the headlining spot, Jared Cannonier will face off against Caio Borralho, while women’s strawweights take the co-feature position. The main card action kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+, with the preliminary card streaming on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET. MMA enthusiasts can stay tuned to MMA Junkie for additional broadcast information as the event approaches.
Jared Cannonier, with a MMA record of 17-7 (10-7 UFC) will meet Caio Borralho, who boasts a record of 16-1 (6-0 UFC). Cannonier has secured victories over notable names such as Marvin Vettori, Sean Strickland, and Kelvin Gastelum, with past or future UFC champions making up a significant portion of his opposition. Meanwhile, Borralho, a 31-year-old Brazilian, has been dominant in his UFC tenure, including wins over Paul Craig and Abus Magomedov. This matchup presents a significant challenge for Borralho, serving as his most substantial test in the octagon yet.
On the undercard, Ryan Loder (6-1 MMA) will take on Rob Valentin (10-3 MMA) in a middleweight clash. Loder, a 33-year-old Californian, has a reputation for finishing fights with four of his six wins coming by knockout. Valentin, a 29-year-old Swiss fighter known as “Robzilla,” enters the UFC with high expectations following a stellar 3-0 record in 2023. This showdown promises fireworks as both fighters look to make an impact in the middleweight division.
Jose Medina, with a record of 11-3, will face off against Zach Reese, who holds a record of 7-1 (1-1 UFC). Despite a setback on Dana White’s Contender Series, Medina has an impressive resume, including six consecutive victories before his DWCS appearance. Additionally, Wang Cong (5-0) will take on Victoria Leonardo (9-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout, with Cong looking to build on her success, including a win over Paula Luna on the Road to UFC.
In terms of betting odds, Cannonier enters the main event as a slight underdog at +170, while Borralho holds the favored position at -205. Other intriguing matchups include Angela Hill facing Tabatha Ricci, Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales, and Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, UFC on ESPN 62 is set to deliver an action-packed night of fights.
The return of the UFC to its headquarters promises an exciting night of mixed martial arts action, with middleweights taking center stage. From established names like Cannonier to rising stars like Borralho, the card is stacked with compelling matchups that are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action live on ESPN and ESPN+ on fight night.