Report: UFC Headed To ABC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is expected to make its return to network television with its Jan. 16 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, currently headlined by the featherweight showdown between former 145-pound champion Max Holloway and rising division slugger Calvin Kattar.

That’s according to a report from MMA Junkie.

ESPN on ABC, formerly known as ABC Sports, operates under the Walt Disney Company so the shift to network television would be considered a lateral move and perhaps a way to test the ratings power of UFC with ABC viewers.

The Jan. 16 “Fight Night” card is scheduled to take place on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, part of the promotion’s return to United Arab Emirates (UAE) that also includes “Edwards vs. Chimaev” on Jan. 20 followed by “Poirier vs. McGregor 2” on Jan. 23, though we could also be saying goodbye to the Jan. 30 event in the process.

Expect more details on this lineup change in the coming days.