DStv viewers will be in for a thrilling weekend of Mixed Martial Arts action as SuperSport features UFC 247 live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas in the United States on Sunday 9 February 2020.
The headline bout for UFC 247, which you can see live on SuperSport, is a battle for the Light Heavyweight Championship between titleholder Jon Jones (25-1-0, 1 NC) and challenger Dominick Reyes (12-0-0).
Jones is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of MMA and is looking to make a third successful defence of his title, having rebuffed Anthony Smith (unanimous decision) and Thiago Santos (split decision) in March and July last year respectively.
‘Bones’ stands on the verge of UFC history: defeating Reyes would give him the record for most title fight wins in the series. Jones is currently tied with former UFC Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Georges St-Pierre at 13 such victories.
Jones is hugely confident heading into the fight and even thinking of moving up to the Heavyweight division in the near future: “I feel as if I’ve cleared the [Light Heavyweight] division and I’m waiting around and I’m taking on new challenges,” he explained. “I’m not sitting on the title; I’m not hiding from anybody. I chose Dominick because he appears to be the best out of all of my contenders. And I’m just ready to take over the world, man. Really.”
Reyes, known as ‘The Devastator’ is unbeaten as an MMA professional and earned his title shot with an impressive first-round knockout of Chris Weidman in October 2019. The southpaw has played some mind-games in the lead-up to the fight, claiming he will point out any eye pokes from Jones to the referee.
“It’s something where it is what it is. Not much I can do about it except give the referee an advanced, ‘Hey man, please look out for this, he’s notorious for this,’” Reyes said. “It’s going to be hard for me to get in. I’m not going to run my face directly into fingers. It is what it is. It’s just another challenge that he presents.”
UFC fans will also be treated to the co-main event of the night, which is a Women’s Flyweight Championship match between champion Valentine Shevchenko (18-3-0) and challenger Katlyn Chookagian (13-2-0). Shevchenko will be chasing a fifth successive win and a third straight defence of her belt, while Chookagian will be in her first UFC Championship fight.
DStv viewers will also be able to see the following fights on the main card: Juan Adams (5-2-0) v Justin Tafa (3-1-0) in the Heavyweight division; a Featherweight bout between Mirsad Bektic (13-2-0) and Dane Ige (12-2-0); as well as Derrick Lewis (22-7-0, 1 NC) v Ilir Latifi (14-7-0, 1 NC) in another Heavyweight clash.
UFC 247 broadcast details
Sunday 9 February
05:00: UFC 247 – LIVE on SuperSport Maximo and SuperSport 11
UFC 247 – Main Card
Main event: Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (25-1-0, 1 NC) v Dominick Reyes (12-0-0)
Co-main event: Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentine Shevchenko (18-3-0) v Katlyn Chookagian (13-2-0)
Heavyweight: Juan Adams (5-2-0) v Justin Tafa (3-1-0)
Featherweight: Mirsad Bektic (13-2-0) v Dane Ige (12-2-0)
Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis (22-7-0, 1 NC) v Ilir Latifi (14-7-0, 1 NC)