[alnorth]

We have a UFC PPV this week.... though some of you will need to stream it (UFC app on computer, Roku, PS4, ESPN app, etc there are options). The UFC 234 PPV will not be available on DirecTV this weekend. This should not matter for anyone who has even the slightest bit of technical knowledge. Most UFC cards are streaming now anyway.

Thursday

9pm - (Fightpass) - Island Fights 52

Based on tapology rankings, this is actually a decent card by local promotion standards, which is unusual for a Thursday night.

Saturday

2pm - (Internet) - Bellator Newcastle

This is the first of a series of fight cards that Bellator is featuring this year in Europe, trying to grow their fanbase. Its not at a time convenient for the US, but they probably didn't want to compete with a good UFC PPV anyway. This card is actually decent for Bellator, and its reportedly free for US viewers on their online app.

7pm TV - (5:30pm Fightpass/7pm ESPN/9pm PPV) - UFC 234, Whittaker vs. Gastelum

As usual for UFC PPV's, the card is top-heavy. The prelims and early prelims are really kind of bad on paper (so I assume they'll probably be great in reality). Many of the prelim fighters were pretty much signed for just this card from Asia and Australia so they pretty much know they'll need a flashy KO or finish to have any hope of staying on.

In the main card, we start slow with a good likeable guy (Sam Alvey) who just might be the most boring fighter on the roster. The only reason he's still here is that he somehow keeps piling up KO's (usually after standing and doing nothing much for several minutes). The last 3 fights are great, overall this PPV is maybe slightly above average.