UFC 259: Former Champions, Title Contenders Grace Prelims

UFC 259 is filled to the top with big-names and title fights, as three are set for the pay-per-view main card from Las Vegas.

But that is far from all that is interesting and will go down from inside the UFC Apex.

Let us first quickly preview the main card as Israel Adesanya looks to join an elite list as a two-division champion. The reigning UFC middleweight titleholder challenges Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title.

Amanda Nunes, who is a reigning two-division champion already, puts her featherweight belt on the line against Megan Anderson while Petr Yan does the same with his bantamweight title against Aljamain Sterling.

Now that is out of the way, check out the prelims that will air on ESPN, ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.

In the undercard main event, Dominick Cruz returns to face Casey Kenney.

Cruz, a former champion, last fought in early 2020 when he was stopped by Henry Cejudo, Prior to that, he dropped a decision in 2016 to Cody Garbrandt.

As we have learned over the years, anytime you get the opportunity to see Cruz in action, it is must-see-TV. “The Dominator” won 22 of his first 23 career fights and dominated the division for a long time.

Kenney can really make an impact on his standing in the rankings with a win, which would be his fourth in a row. He is 16-2-1 overall with five wins inside the Octagon.

But that is far from all.

Joseph Benavidez, a former title contender, takes on Askar Askarov, Song Yadong meets Kyler Phillips and Rogerio Bontorin faces Kai Kara-France to open the ESPN prelims.

On the early slate, Tim Elliott, a former flyweight title challenger, fights Jordan Espinosa with Livia Renata Souza, Jake Matthews and others all scheduled for action.

Needless to say, the UFC is kicking off March with a “banger” as the kids like to proclaim.