UFC 267: Main card, how to watch and what you need to know

If you’re a North American-based UFC fan, you’ll have to clear out your Saturday afternoon if you want to watch UFC 267.

For the last 12 months, the UFC has stayed the course with its usual primetime schedule for its pay-per-view events, even when cards were taking place in Abu Dhabi.

But, a year after an afternoon card that served as the host for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last appearance in the Octagon, UFC fans in North America will get another daytime pay-per-view in the month of October.

“Pay-per-view” is a loose term for UFC 267, as the event will be free for any ESPN+ subscribers, rather than the usual $69.99 that fans pay for primetime pay-per-views on top of their ESPN+ subscription fees.

That “free” price tag is a big deal for UFC 267, considering the fact that diehard fight fans will get to see not one, but two title fights at no extra cost on a service that they likely already subscribe to in the first place.

>>FROM JUNE: Booking the UFC’s pay-per-view main events for the second half of 2021

In the afternoon’s main event, UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz will make his return to the Octagon for the first time since beating Israel Adesanya in March, looking to hold onto his crown against the top-ranked Glover Teixeira.

In a star-studded co-main event, an interim title will be on the line as No. 1-ranked bantamweight Petr Yan battles the No. 3-ranked Cory Sandhagen, with the winner likely taking on current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at some point in the future.

Not to be outdone by their title-fight counterparts, two No. 5-ranked fighters will take center stage in the middle of the main card, with No. 5-ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev facing off with the No. 6-ranked Dan Hooker, and No. 5-ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov going one-on-one with the No. 8-ranked Marcin Tybura.

To top it all off, welterweight favorite Khamzat Chimaev will step foot in the Octagon for the first time in 13 months in an effort to advance to 10-0 against the No. 11-ranked Li Jingliang.

>>RELATED: The battle outside of the cage: UFC fighters detail the anxiety they face away from the Octagon

Each of these fighters will look to kickstart an important stretch on the UFC’s calendar, which includes an all-time pay-per-view event with UFC 268 in New York just one week after UFC 267.

As you think about all of the free time you’ll have on Saturday night after a rare afternoon card, here are all of the key details you need to know before UFC 267 goes live.

When is UFC 267?

UFC 267 will start at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Where is UFC 267 taking place?

UFC 267 will be held live from the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

UFC 267 main card:

Main event for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Jan Blachowicz (c) vs. Glover Teixeira (1)

Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship bout: Petr Yan (1) vs. Cory Sandhagen (3)

Lightweight bout: Islam Makhachev (5) vs. Dan Hooker (6)

Heavyweight bout: Alexander Volkov (5) vs. Marcin Tybura (8)

Welterweight bout: Li Jingliang (11) vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Light heavyweight bout: Magomed Ankalaev (7) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (8)

How can I watch the UFC 267 main card and prelims?

You can watch the UFC 267 main card on ESPN+ as part of your ESPN+ subscription at no extra cost, and you can watch prelims at 10:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+.

Who are you picking this weekend? Let us know by following @SOTSports on Twitter or by liking our Facebook page!