UFC 189: Fight time, TV schedule and what to read ahead of McGregor vs Mendes

UFC 189 takes place Saturday night from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, featuring an interim Featherweight bout in the pay-per-view (PPV) main event between top-ranked contenders Chad Mendes (No. 1) and Conor McGregor (No. 3).

It's a blockbuster event, with a record-setting United States gate expected to top more than $7 million for the 16,000-seat venue. McGregor has even predicted that the event will break UFC's PPV buy rate record of 1.6 million (UFC 100, July 2009).

Blockbuster indeed.

If the wild atmosphere at the official weigh-in event yesterday is any indication, the scene -- and sound -- in the building when the action gets going later this evening will be bonkers.

McGregor was supposed to fight 145-pound champion Jose Aldo; however, "Scarface" was forced to withdraw less than two weeks from showtime because of an injury suffered in training. Mendes accepted the bout -- his third crack at a world title -- on super short notice.

Chad Mendes vs. Conor McGregor will headline the five-fight UFC 189 PPV main card that will start promptly at 10 p.m. ET. In addition to the Featherweight stars, another belt will also be on the line in the co-main event when Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler attempts to make his first-ever title defense at the expense of Rory MacDonald.

To check out the complete UFC 189: "Mendes vs. McGregor" fight card and lineup click here.

As is always the case, UFC will also deliver a complete "Prelims" undercard that features six bouts, four of which will air on Fox Sports 1, beginning at 8 p.m. ET and the remaining pair on its subscription-only online digital network, "Fight Pass," starting at 7 p.m.

Below are the numerous ways in which you can watch UFC 189: "Mendes vs. McGregor" tonight (all times Eastern):

Online:

-- Fight Pass (Early "Prelims), starting at 7 p.m.
-- UFC.TV (PPV main card), starting at 10 p.m. (excluding United Kingdom, Brazil and India)
-- YouTube (PPV main card), starting at 10 p.m. (United States and Canada only)

Cable/Satellite:

-- Fox Sports 1 ("Prelims"), starting at 8 p.m.
-- DirecTV and Dish (PPV main card), starting at 10 p.m.
-- On your television (PPV main card), starting at 10 p.m. (contact your local cable provider)

Tablet/Mobile:

-- Android Market
-- App Store

Local Area:

-- Movie theater (Fathom Events)
-- Bar or restaurant (Joe Hand Promotions)

You can also watch UFC 189 through your television or set-top box, including Apple TV and Roku, as well as through a video game console such as PS3 or PS4.

SB Nation combat sites will also cover the entire event in our live UFC 189: "Mendes vs. McGregor" threads here and here, updates for which will begin with the first fight at 7 p.m. ET and run right through the main event that will likely start some time around midnight.

In the meantime, to get up to speed on all things UFC 189 -- including previews, predictions, interviews, breakdowns, analysis and so much more -- be sure to check out the most comprehensive collection of stories available anywhere for "Mendes vs. McGregor."

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