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He’s back! Controversial ‘Bad Guy’ makes surprise return at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently finalized its broadcast and commentary teams for the upcoming UFC 291: “Poirier vs. Gaethje 2” pay-per-view (PPV) event, locked and loaded for this Sat. night (July 29, 2023) inside Delta Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

As usual, Jon Anik will handle play-by-play duties with color commentary from former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Spotify podcasting giant Joe Rogan. “Veteran Voice of the Octagon,” Bruce Buffer, is charged with pre- and post-fight announcing.

LIVE! Watch UFC 293 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

MASSIVE MIDDLEWEIGHT MATCH! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) makes its highly anticipated return to Sydney, Australia, for the first time in five years on Sat., Sept. 9, 2023, with a 185-pound world title fight inside Qudos Bank Arena. In the ESPN+-streamed pay-per-view (PPV) main event, Middleweight roost-ruler, Israel Adesanya, plans to silence No. 5-seeded contender, Sean Strickland. In UFC 293’s hard-hitting Heavyweight co-main event, No-6-ranked fan favorite, Tai Tuivasa, locks horns with towering Russian, Alexander Volkov (No. 8).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

Former UFC two-division title challenger Chael Sonnen will make his return to the PPV airwaves as UFC 291 desk analyst, according to MMA Junkie, joining host Michael Eaves, current light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, and retired lightweight Din Thomas.

This marks the first appearance for Sonnen in more than a year. The five-time Bellator bruiser was last seen battling assault charges in a Las Vegas courtroom but now appears to be free and clear of that drama after reaching a plea agreement just a few weeks back.

Rounding out the broadcast team is roving reporter Megan Olivi, who will conduct backstage interviews throughout the night and may even get a few words with promotion president Dana White, depending on how the action unfolds this weekend in Salt Lake City.


MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 291 fight card right RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+/ABC at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 291: “Poirier vs. Gaethje 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 291 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.

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