The UFC is returning to New York this time, and fight fans are quite excited to witness the spectacular events. The UFC 281 lineup features 14 fights from top to bottom. The main event will feature two title fights, with strawweight champion Carla Esparza facing No.2 rated contender Zhang Weili.
Esparza is coming off a disappointing fight against Rose Namajunas, whom she defeated to win the title at UFC 274. Meanwhile, Weili is fresh off a second-round knockout of former strawweight champion Joanna Jdrzejczyk at UFC 275.
Dustin Poirier, the No.2 ranked lightweight, will battle No.5 ranked Michael Chandler in what might be the main event. Both fighters have been arguing on social media and had an in-person verbal spat at UFC 276.
On November 12, Frankie Edgar will make his final appearance in the octagon against Chris Gutiérrez at Madison Square Garden. Edgar will be making his 30th appearance with the organization.
In the first bout of the pay-per-view card, Dan Hooker will seek to snap his two-fight losing run against Claudio Puelles. The main event will pit Adesanya against Pereira. The main event is fascinating because the two have already clashed in kickboxing. ‘Poatan’ has two wins over Adesanya in his career and is the only opponent to have knocked the Nigerian New Zealander out.
The following five fights are scheduled to take place on the UFC 281 pay-per-view main card:
UFC 281 Main Card
Israel Adesanya (C) vs. Alex Pereira (middleweight championship main event)
Carla Esparza (C) vs. Zhang Weili (strawweight championship co-main event)
Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler (lightweight)
Frankie Edgar vs. Chris Gutiérrez (lightweight)
Dan Hooker vs. Claudio Puelles (lightweight)
November 12th can't come soon enough!
[ #UFC281 | @TheGarden | Tickets 🎟️ https://t.co/IRCmP19XGr ] pic.twitter.com/Z8ghN2tXPI
— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2022
UFC 281 – Prelims
In the main preliminary match, lightweights Brad Riddell and Renato Moicano will square off. Ryan “Superman” Spann vs. Dominick Reyes at light heavyweight will also be featured on the UFC 281 preliminary card.
Molly McCann, the No.15-ranked flyweight, will face No.12-ranked Erin Blanchfield first. The first fight of the preliminary round will feature middleweights Andre Petroski and Wellington Turman.
Preliminary Card
Brad Riddell vs. Renato Moicano (lightweight)
Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann (light heavyweight)
Molly McCann vs. Erin Blanchfield (flyweight)
Andre Petroski vs. Wellington Turman (middleweight)
Former strawweight championship contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz will face Argentine boxer Silvana Gomez Juarez in the early prelims. In addition, Matt Frevola will compete in a lightweight match against Morocco’s Ottman Azaitar.
A 205-pound matchup between New Zealander Carlos Ulberg and Romanian Nicolae Negumereanu will serve as the event’s opening bout.
Early Prelims
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (women’s strawweight)
Matt Frevola vs. Ottman Azaitar (lightweight)
Michael Trizano vs. Seungwoo Choi (featherweight)
Julio Arce vs. Montel Jackson (bantamweight)
Carlos Ulberg vs. Nicolae Negumereanu (light heavyweight)
