How to watch UFC 288 tonight: Times, where to stream Sterling vs. Cejudo and more

Are you ready for UFC 288? Tonight, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo will step out of retirement and back into the Octagon opposite bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. If you’re looking for ways to watch tonight's battle for the bantamweight title, know this: UFC 288: Sterling vs. Cejudo will be available only as a pay-per-view fight through ESPN+, with prelims streaming free on the platform for subscribers and early prelims also playing on UFC Fight Pass.

Don't want to miss out on the action? Here’s how to watch UFC 288, including how to order the pay-per-view event, start times and fight card details, how to livestream the fight free with a VPN and more.

How to watch UFC 288: Sterling vs. Cejudo

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Early prelims start time: 6 p.m. ET

Prelims start time: 8 p.m. ET

Main card start time: 10 p.m. ET

Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

TV/streaming: ESPN+

Free livestream: VPN

Where to stream UFC 288 main card and prelims

(Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

ESPN+

UFC 288 is available to purchase through ESPN+ for $80. If you aren’t already subscribed to ESPN+, new users can bundle UFC 288 in with the cost of an annual subscription for a 30% discount, bringing your total to $124.98. UFC 288 prelims will be available to stream at no extra cost to ESPN+ subscribers. An ESPN+ subscription starts at $10 a month and grants you access to exclusive ESPN+ content, including all UFC PPV prelims, other live events, fantasy sports tools and premium ESPN+ articles.

$10.00 and up at ESPN+

(Photo: ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN

Stream UFC from anywhere ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers “internet without borders,” meaning you can tune in to a much more affordable UFC livestream this weekend as opposed to paying that high PPV price. In the UK, many UFC events are broadcast live on BT Sport and don’t require you to purchase the fight through PPV. A contract-free subscription to BT Sport costs about $38 per month, and paired with a VPN, will let you livestream this Saturday's fight at a major discount. ExpressVPN’s added protection, speed and range of location options makes it an excellent choice for first-time VPN users looking to stretch their streaming abilities. New users can save 49% and get an extra three months free when they sign up for ExpressVPN’s 12-month subscription. Plus, the service offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

$6.67 and up at ExpressVPN

What time does the UFC fight start?

UFC is heading to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for the first time in more than three years on Saturday. The fight will kick off with early prelims at 6 p.m. ET, followed by prelims at 8 p.m. ET and the main pay-per-view event scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. ET.

Who is headlining UFC this weekend?

Saturday's UFC main event will see Aljamain Sterling step into the Octagon opposite Henry Cejudo. This fight will mark Cejudo's first since his abrupt retirement back in 2020.

The co-main event will feature a clash in the welterweight division between top contenders Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad.

The main card has seen one shake up so far ahead of Saturday's fight, with Bryce Mitchell stepping out of his scheduled fight against Movsar Evloev. Diego Lopes is currently set to take his place.

UFC 288 full card (subject to change)

Main card: 10 p.m. ET (PPV through ESPN+)

• Bantamweight: Aljamain Sterling (C) (-105) vs. Henry Cejudo (-115)

• Welterweight: Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad

• Women's strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Xiaonan Yan

• Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell Diego Lopes vs. Movsar Evloev

• Featherweight: Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain

Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• Lightweight: Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola

• Light heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Devin Clark

• Welterweight: Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya

• Women's strawweight: Marina Rodriguez vs. Virna Jandiroba

Early prelims: 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+, UFC FightPass)

• Heavyweight: Braxton Smith vs. Parker Porter

• Middleweight: Phil Hawes vs. Ikram Aliskerov

• Flyweight: Rafael Estevam vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov

• Middleweight: Joseph Holmes vs. Claudio Ribeiro

• Bantamweight: Daniel Santos vs. Johnny Munoz

Check out more of Yahoo Sports' coverage on the full UFC fight schedule, predictions and other fight week festivities.