UFC returns to Philadelphia with Fight of the Year candidate

Las Vegas, February 6: The Ultimate Fighting Championship return to Philadelphia to host UFC Fight Night on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, March 30.

The event will be headlined by a bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks, as No. 6 ranked lightweight contender Edson Barboza takes on No. 7 Justin Gaethje. While, a pivotal strawweight bout, No. 6 ranked contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz faces No. 8 Michelle Waterson will co-headline the event.

ESPN will air the Main Event and Prelims live at 5 p.m. ET and ESPN+ kicking off the event with a live stream of the Early Prelims at 3:30 p.m. ET. In India, the main card will be aired via Sony Pictures Network and will also be streamed via Sony LIV.

Edson Barboza vs. Justin Gaethje is official for UFC on ESPN on March 30 from Philadelphia. Tickets go on sale Feb. 8.

The main card airs on ESPN starting at 7pm ET, prelims on ESPN at 5pm ET with the early prelims on ESPN+ at 3:30pm ET pic.twitter.com/ngPxqNXmGm

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) February 5, 2019

A devastating Muay Thai specialist, Barboza (20-6, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) has delivered some of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history.

During his run, he has earned thrilling wins against Beneil Dariush, Gilbert Melendez, Anthony Pettis and Paul Felder. He now looks to continue building on the momentum of his recent victory over Dan Hooker with another show-stealing performance against one of the division's most aggressive finishers.

Known as the "The Highlight," Gaethje (19-2. Fighting out of Arvada, Colo.) has proven to be must-watch television since joining the UFC in 2017.

He has earned five performance bonuses in only four appearances, including legendary wars with Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez, as well as incredible knockouts against James Vick and Michael Johnson.

Gaethje is now poised to once again steal the show against one of the most dangerous strikers on the UFC roster.

A former title challenger, Kowalkiewicz (13-3, fighting out of Lodz, Poland) aims to reassert herself as one of the top competitors in the strawweight division.

During her UFC run, she has netted impressive victories over current champion Rose Namajunas, Felice Herrig, Randa Markos and Heather Jo Clark. Kowalkiewicz now hopes to make a statement against a tough and surging veteran contender.

Currently riding a two-fight win streak, Waterson (16-6, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) looks to continue her ascent up through the rankings.

A former Invicta champion, she has secured thrilling victories against Paige VanZant, Felice Herrig, Cortney Casey and Jessica Penne. She is now gunning to establish herself as a title threat in the talent-rich strawweight division.

Veteran @RossTheRealDeal 🇬🇧 will face Desmond Green at #UFCPhiladelphia! pic.twitter.com/zdInl74rIh

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 31, 2019

Announced bouts on the card include:

• No. 13 ranked strawweight contender Alexa Grasso (10-2, fighting out of Guadalajara, Mexico) looks to get back in the win column against unbeaten Marina Rodriguez (10-0-1, fighting out of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil)

• Ross Pearson (22-14 1NC, fighting out of Sunderland, England) makes his 26th UFC appearance against tough Desmond Green (21-8, fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

• Kennedy Nzechukwu (6-0, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) looks to remain undefeated against battle-tested Paul Craig (9-3, fighting out of Coatbridge, Scotland)

• Featherweight prospects collide when Sodiq Yusuff (7-1, fighting out of Bladensburg, Md.) faces Sheymon Moraes (11-1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.)

• Sabina Mazo (6-0, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif. by way of Medellín, Colombia) takes on Maryna Moroz (8-3, fighting out of Volnogorsk, Ukraine) in a strawweight bout.

Source: Press Release