UFC Calgary: When, where, how to watch, fight card

Alec Gearty

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UFC Calgary: When, where, how to watch, fight card image

For the first time in his illustrious UFC career, Jose Aldo isn't fighting for a championship. 

Aldo held the featherweight title for nearly three and a half years before losing to Conor McGregor in 2015. Since the loss, Aldo recieved opportunities to fight for the interim championship, which he won at UFC 200 in 2009. He climbed back to the top of the featherweight division until he came face-to-face with Max Holloway. The latter defeated the veteran Aldo two different times to force him out of the title picture. All of a sudden the once dominant champion needed to enhance his resume so Aldo opted to call out Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens for a potential bout, which will ultimately take place at UFC Calgary on July 28.

The two exchanged barbs on where to fight, Aldo wanted Brazil while Stephens wanted UFC Chicago before agreeing to the Calgary date. Now, both have an opportunity to reestablish themselves to challenge Holloway. Stephens is in the midst of his strongest UFC run to date. The 31-year-old is victorious in his last three fights, including a second-round victory over Josh Emmett.

MORE: UFC Calgary live updates, results and round-by-round scoring

Joanna Jędrzejczyc is somewhat in the same position as Aldo. The former strawweight champion hasn't won since losing her championship to Rose Namajunas at UFC 217. Jędrzejczyc lost in the rematch that followed and faces No. 5 ranked Tecia Torres. 

The card was still missing a main event.

Dana White, who celebrates his 49th birthday, gifted himself the ultimate present — a rematch between Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. The two met at UFC 111 in May 2017, the bout ended in controversial fashion. Alvarez repeatedly delivered knee strikes to Poirier's head, which is deemed illegal. Alvarez wasn't disqualified despite the sequence. It was ruled that the strikes were unintentional but the fight ended in a No Contest. 

Where

Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.

It marks the first time the UFC makes its return to Calgary since 2012, the last being UFC 149 where Renan Barao defeated Urijah Faber in the main event. The events of July 2012 left Dana White unhappy with the performance of those on the main card, “I like breaking records, we broke the gate record here tonight," White said regarding the event. "and I’m embarrassed by it. I was excited when I heard, and now I’m embarrassed. The undercard delivered; they were awesome. The main card did not.”

How to Watch

With a card that consists of Aldo, Stephens and Jędrzejczyc, you'd expect that UFC Calgary is bound for a PPV. That's not the case here. Fans are able to catch the marquee names of UFC Calgary live on CTV2. 

Home Advantage

There is no shortage of Canadians that will step inside the octagon on July 28. From strawweight to welterweight, Canadians grace the card with a chance to claim a win on their home soil. Alexis Davis, Randa Markos, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Jordan Mein, John Makdessi, Kajan Johnson and Hakeem Dawodu are slated to fight at UFC Calgary with a possibility more announced. 

Fight Card

Main Card

Eddie Alvarez (29-5) vs. Dustin Poirier (23-5)

Jose Aldo def. Jeremy Stephens

Joanna Jędrzejczyc def. Tecia Torres

Alexander Hernandez def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier

Prelims

Jordan Mein def. Alex Morono

Hakeem Dawodu def. Austin Arnett

Islam Makhachev def. Kajan Johnson

Ion Cutelaba def. Gadzhimurad Antigulov 

Early Prelims

John Makdessi def. Ross Pearson

Katlyn Chookagian def. Alexis Davis

Dustin Ortiz def. Matheus Nicolau

Nina Ansaroff def. Randa Markos   

Devin Powell def. Alvaro Herrera

Alec Gearty