The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Brazil this weekend for UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. In the main event, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is set to defend her title against Raquel Pennington. The co-main event features middleweight contenders Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Kelvin Gastelum, while the pay-per-view main card kicks off with a bout between Brazilian mixed martial arts legends Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida.
Ahead of this weekend’s event, the UFC uploaded its behind-the-scenes YouTube series “UFC Embedded” to give you an up-close look at what the fighters go through on fight week as they make their final preparations for Saturday night.
Below is all of the information you will need leading up to the fight, including every episode of UFC 224 Embedded.
UFC 224: Fight Time & Viewing Details
Event: UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2018
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Venue: Jeunesse Arena
Pay-Per-View Card Time: 10:00 P.M. EST
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass, FX, Pay-per-view
UFC 224 Embedded, Episode 1
On Episode 1 of UFC 224 Embedded, strawweight Mackenzie Dern reflects on a lifetime spent in jiu-jitsu, and middleweight Kelvin Gastelum wraps his camp with a sparring day. Women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes gets a massage at home, then packs alongside her girlfriend, strawweight Nina Ansaroff. Middleweight Jacare Souza readies for his first UFC fight in Rio. Bantamweight title challenger Raquel Pennington spends her Sunday getting ready for the trip with her fiancee, strawweight Tecia Torres.
UFC 224 Embedded, Episode 2
On Episode 2 of UFC 224 Embedded, middleweight Lyoto Machida relishes the beauty of his home country. Women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes runs indoors with her girlfriend, strawweight Nina Ansaroff. Middleweight Jacare Souza arrives in Brazil and has a friendly interaction with the coach of his opponent, Kelvin Gastelum, who manages to enjoy his time in hostile territory. Strawweight Amanda Cooper discusses her baby food diet. After an outdoor workout, Nunes and Ansaroff run into a friend and former teammate, strawweight Tecia Torres – who just happens to be engaged to Nunes’ opponent, Raquel Pennington.
UFC 224 Embedded, Episode 3
On Episode 3 of UFC 224 Embedded, women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes makes the most of her downtime with a trip to the mall. Middleweight Kelvin Gastelum takes in the sight of Saturday night’s battleground. In the host hotel’s training rooms, middleweight Jacare Souza and strawweight Amanda Cooper stay sharp. Middleweight legend Vitor Belfort arrives in Brazil for his postponed retirement fight, and strawweight Mackenzie Dern finally lands after missing a scheduled flight.
UFC 224 Embedded, Episode 4
On Episode 4 of UFC 224 Embedded, middleweight Lyoto Machida trains at a facility in Rio. Bantamweight title challenger Raquel Pennington gets some physical therapy after her long trip to Brazil. Strawweight Amanda Cooper hits mitts poolside, and confident middleweight Jacare Souza analyzes his opponent’s game plan. Middleweight Vitor Belfort and his service dog greet UFC Hall of Famer Minotauro Nogueira, and strawweight Mackenzie Dern does interviews.
UFC 224 Embedded, Episode 5
On Episode 5 of UFC 224 Embedded, the Brazilians on the card shine for the cameras, as Vitor Belfort, John Lineker, Lyoto Machida, Jacare Souza and Amanda Nunes do photos and interviews. Strawweight Mackenzie Dern trains at the gym of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. At official open workouts, middleweight Kelvin Gastelum impresses the crowd by speaking Portuguese, and the crowd impresses title challenger Raquel Pennington by not booing her.