UFC 203 sees Stipe Miocic makes the first defence of his heavyweight title against Alistair Overeem, while ex-HW champion Fabricio Werdum takes on Travis Browne in the co-main event and former WWE star CM Punk finally makes his debut in the Octagon.
It’s a stacked card for the show at Quicken Loans Arena, in Miocic’s hometown of Cleveland. Here’s everything you need to know.
Australian viewers can purchase UFC 203 for $49.95 on Main Event TV or via UFC TV on live stream for $59.99.
Pre-fight and prelim bout coverage will feature on Fox Sports 2 from 9am AEST on Sunday, September 11.
Foxsports.com.au will feature a live blog throughout the day, with video reports of the main action provided ASAP.
WHAT TIME IS IT ON?
Coverage on Main Event begins at midday on Sunday, September 11. The Miocic v Overeem main event will feature from 1.45pm onwards, dependent on earlier fights.
THE MAIN CARD
265lbs: Stipe Miocic (15-2-0) vs Alistair Overeem (41-14-0)
265lbs: Fabricio Werdum (20-6-1) vs Travis Browne (18-4-1)
170lbs: Mickey Gall (2-0-0) vs CM Punk (0-0-0)
135lbs: Jimmie Rivera (19-1-0) vs Urijah Faber (33-9-0)
115lbs: Jessica Andrade (14-5-0) vs Joanne Calderwood (11-1-0)
THE PRELIM CARD
135lbs: Jessica Eye (11-5-0) vs Bethe Correia (9-2-0)
145lbs: Brad Tavares (13-4-0) vs Caio Magalhaes (9-2-0)
265lbs: Nick Lentz (28-7-2) vs Michael McBride (8-1-0)
155lbs: Yancy Medeiros (12-4-0) vs Sean Spencer (12-5-0)
185lbs: CB Dollaway (16-9-0) vs Francimar Barroso (18-5-0)
170lbs: Drew Dober (16-7-0) vs Jason Gonzalez (10-2-0)
155lbs: Damir Hadzovic (10-3-0) vs Yusuke Kasuya (9-2-2)
**Ian McCall vs Ray Borg cancelled due to Borg being ill.
LAST FIVE FIGHTS
Miocic
W Fabricio Werdum (KO, R1) - UFC 198
W Andrei Arlovski (KO, R1) - UFC 195
W Mark Hunt (KO, R5) - UFC Fight Night
L Junior Dos Santos (Unanimous decision) - UFC Fight Night
W Fabio Maldonado (KO, R1) - UFC Fight Night
Overeem
W Andrei Arlovski (KO, R2) - UFC Fight Night
W Junior Dos Santos (KO, R2) - UFC Fight Night
W Roy Nelson (Unanimous decision) - UFC 185
W Stefan Struve (KO, R1) - UFC Fight Night
L Ben Rothwell (KO, R1) - UFC Fight Night
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Miocic v Overeem: Miocic is trying to defend his heavyweight title, having won it last start with a sensational first round knockout of Fabricio Werdum. Overeem is attempting to add the UFC belt to his stellar list of career achievements, including championships in Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 World Grand Prix.
Werdum v Browne: Both fighters are coming off humiliating Round 1 TKO losses, Werdum to Miocic to lose his title, while Browne was totally outclassed by Cain Velasquez UFC 200. Victory would push Werdum back into considerations for a title shot, while Browne would add an enviable scalp that would solidify his spot among fringe challengers and likely guarantee another high-profile match-up next start.
Gall v Punk: Gall brazenly called out Punk right in front of UFC president Dana White and has made a name for himself after just two fights (and just one in the Octagon). It’s time for him to walk the walk, coming off an impressive Round 1 submission win over Mike Jackson on UFC debut. Punk has been hyping this fight since signing with the UFC nearly two years ago. His, and to some extent WWE’s, credibility are on the line as he switches to MMA.
WHAT THEY SAID
Miocic: “I’m going to stop Overeem in the first round. I’m going to drop him. I know I can knock him out and he’s going to get knocked out. It’s going to happen. It’s inevitable once I touch him with my hands. He’s going to go to sleep.”
Overeem: “It’s going to be the crown in my career. It’s going to be history. Yeah, most decorated heavyweight of all time.”
Werdum (coach Rafael Cordeiro): “We believe, as a team, that Fabricio is ready for the title shot, right after this fight. He’s got to pass Travis, but as soon as he passes Travis, we’re going to look for the belt again.”
Browne: “It’s been two and a half years since the last time we fought, and I’ve wanted nothing else but to fight him again.”
Gall: “He moves like food. He moves like a wounded animal. I just don’t see it in him. He’s with a great camp so I’m sure he’s improved a lot - it’s just not going to be enough. There’s nothing I can see other than me dominating him.”
Punk: “I definitely see myself winning and if I had to pick, I’d say TKO.”
THE ODDS
Stipe Miocic $1.74, Alistair Overeem $2.08
Fabricio Werdum $1.43, Travis Browne $2.86
Mickey Gall $1.26, CM Punk $3.80
Jimmie Rivera $1.80, Urijah Faber $2.02
Jessica Andrade $1.80, Joanne Calderwood $2.02
Jessica Eye $1.80, Bethe Correia $2.02
Brad Tavares $1.55, Caio Magalhaes $2.46
Nick Lentz $1.23, Michael McBride $4.20
Ian McCall $1.81, Ray Borg $2.00
Yancy Medeiros $1.68, Sean Spencer $2.20
CB Dollaway $1.55, Francimar Barroso $2.46
Drew Dober $1.59, Jason Gonzalez $2.37
Damir Hadzovic N/A, Yusuke Kasuya N/A