TUF 25 Finale start time, TV schedule, who is fighting tonight at ‘Johnson vs Gaethje'

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the hurt business later tonight (Fri., July 7, 2017) for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 25 Finale from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The FOX Sports 1-televised event, headlined by a hard-hitting lightweight scrap between Michael Johnson and Justin Gaethje, will also feature a co-main event between welterweight TUF 25 finalists Jesse Taylor and Dhiego Lima.

Who is fighting tonight at TUF 25 Finale? Michael Johnson vs. Justin Gaethje is the main event.

When does TUF 25 Finale start? Today (Fri., July 7, 2017), beginning at 6 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass.

Where will TUF 25 Finale take place? T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

How can I watch TUF 25 Finale? Main card start time at 9 p.m ET on FOX Sports 1. "Prelims" undercard on FOX Sports 1 start time at 7 p.m. ET, with Fight Pass “Prelims” beginning at 6 p.m ET.

Where can I get TUF 25 updates and results? Get full play-by-play coverage and live updates here!

What’s Hot:

Justin Gaethje enters this showdown with a ton of hype, having compiled a perfect 17-0 record with a staggering 15 finishes. The big question is whether or not “The Highlight” can hang with UFC-caliber competition and he has a pretty stiff test in the form of No. 5-ranked Michael Johnson.

What’s Not:

Like most FOX Sports 1 fight cards, there is little to be excited about outside the top two fights. While combat sports fans have already seen the likes of Jesse Taylor and Dhiego Lima, their “Redemption” story gives it some appeal. As for the rest of the card, it’s primarily up-and-comers and middle-of-the-pack’rs, which means these fighters will live and die on their respective performances.

Original Card vs. Actual Card:

This card was able to stay together for the most part, save for this week’s withdrawal from ex-hockey goon Steve Bosse.

New Blood:

Bosse was replaced by newcomer Nick Roehrick, who enters the Octagon with a perfect 7-0 record with three finishes. He joins the FOX Sports 1 main card opposite veteran slugger Jared Cannonier.

How The “Prelims” Look:

Most of the FOX Sports 1 “Prelim” bouts feature fighters who at one point or another, came up through the TUF ranks, including TUF 25 standouts James Krause and Tom Gallicchio.

Who Needs A Win Badly:

Despite his good standing with UFC, James Krause was submitted by Jesse Taylor in the semifinals and needs to prove that his inclusion on TUF 25 was indeed about “Redemption” and not a step backward in his MMA career.

Interest Level: 5/10

Like I mentioned before, it’s hard to know what to expect from this card. Outside of the main and co-main event, we won’t be able to grade this show until after we see the individual fights, simply because the star power is average, at best.

Full TUF 25 Finale fight card:

FOX Sports 1 Main Event:

155 lbs.: Michael Johnson vs. Justin Gaethje

FOX Sports 1 Co-Main Event:

170 lbs.: Dhiego Lima vs. Jesse Taylor (TUF 25 welterweight final)

FOX Sports 1 Main Card (9 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: Marc Diakiese vs. Drakkar Klose

205 lbs.: Jared Cannonier vs. Nick Roehrick

185 lbs.: Brad Tavares vs. Elias Theodorou

205 lbs.: Marcel Fortuna vs. Jordan Johnson

FOX Sports 1 Preliminary Card (7 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: Tom Gallicchio vs. James Krause

115 lbs.: Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder

185 lbs.: C.B. Dollaway vs. Ed Herman

135 lbs.: Jessica Eye vs. Aspen Ladd

UFC Fight Pass Preliminary Card (6 p.m. ET):

145 lbs.: Teruto Ishihara vs. Gray Maynard

115 lbs.: Juliana Lima vs. Tecia Torres

For much more on tonight’s fight card click here.