IF, LIKE US, you’re planning to do an all-nighter this weekend for the biggest MMA event of the year, there are a couple of options to consider.
Those staying home on Saturday night will either need to be a Setanta Sports subscriber to watch the full main card and televised prelims on BT Sport 2, or else you will need to purchase it online through UFC.tv. There is more information on all that here.
Alternatively, you may want to head out. This could prove problematic due to the eight-hour time difference between Ireland and Las Vegas as it means the preliminary card won’t start here until midnight, while Conor McGregor’s interim title fight with Chad Mendes isn’t likely to kick off until around 5am.
There has been significant interest from our readers, so we contacted a number of pubs, nightclubs and venues around the country to see if they would be keeping their doors open to screen the fight. Sadly, the vast majority have come back saying it is simply too late.
That said, we have managed to find a small number of places (all in Dublin) who are planning to show it. The Red Cow Hotel on the Naas Road is hosting a viewing party, with tickets (available to buy here) priced at €20.
In the city centre, it is free in to Harry’s On The Green, who are staying open for the fight but will stop serving drinks at 3am. They have advised fans to get in before midnight in order to avoid disappointment.
Around the corner on Harcourt Street, meanwhile, Krystle Nightclub have also promised to screen the event. Admission at the door is €10 and you can get in contact to book a table here.
Sin Nightclub in Temple Bar is another option. It’s €10 for early bird tickets or €15 general admission. Click here for more info.
Key Irish times (approx):
- Friday, midnight – The weigh-ins (BT Sport 1 UFC YouTube channel)
- Saturday, midnight – Fight Pass prelims get underway (UFC Fight Pass)
- Sunday, 1am – Televised prelims begin (BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv)
- Sunday, 3am – Main card starts (BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv)
- Sunday, 5am – McGregor v Mendes due to start (BT Sport 2 & UFC.tv)
Know of anywhere else around Ireland showing UFC 189? Tell us in the comments section below or email ben@the42.ie.
(h/t: Publin)
Great going by both athletes. Very well done.