FS1 and FOX Deportes Set Broadcasters for Saturday’s UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACDONALD VS. THOMPSON

LOS ANGELES – Former light heavyweight champion and current No. 8 contender Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) and former middleweight Brian Stann (@BrianStann) serve as analysts in the FS1 studio for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACDONALD VS. THOMPSON live on FS1 on Saturday, June 18 (10:30 PM ET).

FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACDONALD VS. THOMPSON features a pivotal welterweight contender fight between No. 1-ranked Rory MacDonald (18-3) and No. 2-ranked Stephen Thompson (12-1). A perennial contender in the 170-pound division, MacDonald has won eight of his last 10 outings. At UFC 189 in July, he came up short in 2015’s Fight of the Year against welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. Thompson is one of the most dynamic strikers in mixed martial arts and is currently riding a six-fight win streak, earning stunning knockout victories over Jake Ellenberger, Robert Whittaker and Chris Clements. In his last bout, he was the first fighter to ever finish former champion Johny Hendricks with strikes in the first round.

FOX UFC analyst Tyron Woodley, who challenges Lawler for the title at UFC 201, has his eye on the main event featuring two fighters with opposing styles: “This is a classic matchup of a space invader in Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, who blitzes in quickly and gets in and out, and a space gauger in Rory MacDonald. He keeps the premium space, puts himself in the position to strike and not get hit so when you punch him, he veers back and slides out very well. Whose game plan will work out? That’s what we’re going to watch and see. I’m watching this fight very closely because these will be my future opponents.” Watch his fight preview here: http://bit.ly/22WsMkp

Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) and Kenny Florian (@KennyFlorian) call the fights on FS1 and FS2 live from TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario, while Victor Davila and No. 1-ranked heavyweight Fabricio Werdum (@FabricioWerdum) call the fights in Spanish on FOX Deportes. Stann and Evans join the FS1 desk alongside veteran combat sports host Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) in FOX Sports’ Los Angeles studios for Friday and Saturday’s Weigh-in, Prefight and Postfight shows. Megan Olivi (@Meganolivi) interviews fighters on-site.

The exciting main card features four more fights, including a welterweight clash between vets Donald Cerrone (29-7, 1NC) and Patrick Cote (23-9). Steve Bosse (11-2) faces Sean O’Connell (17-7) in a light heavyweight bout, while lightweights Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2) and Thibault Gouti (11-1) square off. No. 5-ranked strawweight Valerie Letourneau (8-4) battles No. 12 Joanne Calderwood (10-1).

The two-hour UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS on FS2 and FOX Deportes begin at 8:30 PM ET and feature four more thrilling bouts. Jason Saggo (11-2) faces Leandro Silva (19-2-1, 1NC) in a lightweight battle, while light heavyweights Misha Cirkunov (11-2) and Ion Cutelaba (11-1) scrap. Tamdan McCrory (14-3) and Krzysztof Jotko (17-1) tangle in a middleweight fight. Plus, bantamweights Chris Beal (10-2) and Joe Soto (15-5) kick off the PRELIMS.

Saturday’s coverage begins on FS2 (7:30 PM ET) with a one-hour FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT PREFIGHT SHOW hosted by Bryant, with Evans and Stann. The action wraps immediately following the main event with the FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT POSTFIGHT SHOW. Bryant, Evans and Stann also present the FS1 UFC WEIGH-IN SHOW on Friday, June 17 (5:00 PM ET) on FS2.

Watch a UFC FIGHT NIGHT preview on UFC TONIGHT Wednesday, June 15 (8:00 PM ET) with host Kenny Florian and newly crowned middleweight champion Michael Bisping serving as guest host, as they break down the main event and highlight key fight on the card.

This week’s FOX Sports UFC programming schedule and the full FS1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACDONALD VS. THOMPSON fight card can be found by viewing the PDF below.