Debut UFC Alternate Telecast Part of UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2
ESPN to Co-Produce Telecast with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions
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ESPN is bringing fans a new additional viewing option for the first time in its coverage of UFC events during this Saturday’s UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 live from Salt Lake City.
The Gronkowski Family–including Rob, brothers Chris, Dan, Glenn and Gordie Jr. and father Gordon–will host the alternate presentation UFC 278 with The Gronks. This will be Rob’s first appearance on ESPN in a host role. Guests will include UFC legend Chuck Liddell, UFC welterweight Kevin Holland and up and coming UFC stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann.
UFC 278 with The Gronks will debut at 9-10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+ (simulcast). At 10 p.m., it will move to ESPN+ for the ESPN+ PPV where it will stream until the conclusion of the event. Fans who purchase the UFC 278 Usman vs. Edwards 2 PPV will get both the stream hosted by Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier, and Joe Rogan, as well as UFC 278 with The Gronks, giving UFC 278 PPV purchasers more options to enjoy the event.
The latest telecast, produced by ESPN in collaboration with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, follows the success of the innovative and Emmy Award-winning Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, and a variety of original series like the critically acclaimed Places franchise, other alternate telecasts for PGA and the upcoming College Football Playoffs, along with podcasts like Kyle Brandt’s Basement.
“The best way to watch a big UFC fight card is with your friends. And this Saturday, you can hang out with your new friends, the Gronkowskis,” said Glenn Jacobs, vice president of MMA production at ESPN. “They’re fans of the sport, have great family chemistry and this telecast will provide an additional fun and creative way to watch UFC 278.”
“Our family is pumped to be able to team up with Peyton and his team at Omaha Productions to bring some fun and laughs into The Octagon,” said the Gronkowski family. “Get ready for some action-packed fun as we hang out as a family, share stories, and test out our UFC skills.”
“All of us at Omaha are excited to team up with ESPN on the first UFC alternate telecast. There couldn’t be a more fun group to launch the series with than the Gronkowski family,” said Peyton Manning, founder of Omaha Productions. “The Gronkowski brothers and their dad Gordon are putting together an entertaining show that will celebrate the athletes in the Octagon and hopefully introduce the sport to new fans.”
Earlier this year, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company announced an expanded agreement with Peyton Manning and his Omaha Productions company, a relationship that launched Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli. The extension added a fourth year (through 2024 season) for Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, featuring a 10-game annual slate of alternative productions to ESPN’s traditional Monday Night Football telecast. Additionally, the agreement calls for alternate presentations (with other hosts) for UFC, college football and golf to be produced by Omaha Productions in collaboration with ESPN.
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 and UFC 278 with the Gronks (All times ET), Saturday, August 20
| Time | Platform | Programming |
| 8-10 p.m. | ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+ (simulcast, English and Spanish) | UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 presented by Modelo (Prelims) |
| 8-9 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN+ (simulcast, English and Spanish) | |
| 9-10 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN+ (simulcast) | UFC 278 with the Gronks |
| 10 p.m.-1 a.m. | ESPN+ PPV
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UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 (Main Card)
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| UFC 278 with the Gronks
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| 1 a.m.* | ESPN+ | UFC Fight Night Post Show: Usman vs. Edwards 2* |
*Immediately following Main Event.
UFC returns to Salt Lake City, Utah with a blockbuster welterweight championship bout that will see a rematch between champion Kamaru Usman and No. 2 ranked contender Leon Edwards. UFC 278: USMAN vs. EDWARDS 2 will take place Sat., August 20 at Vivint Arena with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The Prelims will be seen on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (simulcast) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the night’s action starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish).
About ESPN
ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 22.8 million subscribers.
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of the Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads). Subscribers to Hulu + Live TV also receive ESPN+ at no additional cost.
About Omaha Production
Omaha Productions is an entertainment company launched by Peyton Manning following his retirement from the NFL. Omaha focuses on developing content that champions hard work, encourages the pursuit of passion, and celebrates community. Omaha Productions executive produces ESPN’s Emmy-award-winning Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli along with alternative telecasts for college football, golf, and the UFC. The company also serves as executive producer on NFL Honors and ESPN+’s PLACES franchise featuring series from Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Abby Wambach, Vince Carter, David Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, P.K. Subban, Sue Bird, and John McEnroe. The company also has series at ABC, A+E Networks, NBCUniversal, and Netflix. The Omaha Audio Network provides daily sports talk in partnership with ESPN and Caesars Sportsbook.
About UFC
UFC is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 198 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.
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