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UFC Vegas 106 preview, start time, full fight card as Gilbert Burns faces Michael Morales

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Hamish Woodward | Last updated May 13, 2025 10:35 AM ET

The UFC returns to Las Vegas as Michael Morales puts his undefeated streak on the line against Gilbert Burns at UFC Vegas 106.

Michael Morales is currently undefeated in the UFC, with 17 wins so far in his career and 12 of them via knockout. He has climbed to #12 in the rankings, hoping to take the scalp of the #8 fighter when he takes on Gilbert Burns in Las Vegas.

The Brazilian was supposed to face off with Morales at UFC 314 and then UFC 315. However, each time the fight was rescheduled for Las Vegas on May 17.

Burns admits he “cannot afford to lose” to Morales, so a loss here could spell a disaster for his future in the UFC. That should motivate him to put away the Ecuadorian, but that may not be enough for Burns against Morales.

Meanwhile, the co-main event of the show pits Paul Craig against Rodolfo Bellato. The Brazilian is undefeated in his first 2 UFC fights and will be aiming to hand the Scot his 5th loss in his last 6 fights.

Here’s everything you need to know about what promises to be a fantastic night of MMA action at UFC Vegas 106.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

What time does UFC Vegas 106 start?

UFC Vegas 106 will take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 17, 2025

The event will start with preliminaries at 4:00 PM (ET), 1:00 PM (PT,) and 9:00 PM (BST).

Following on from that, the main card gets underway at 7:00 PM (ET), 4:00 PM (PT), and 12:00 AM (BST).

How to watch and live stream UFC Vegas 106?

In the USA, both the prelims and the main card of the event will be available to watch on ESPN+ from 4:00 PM onwards.

Over in the UK, fans will be able to watch the prelims through the UFC Fight Pass from 9:00 PM before switching over to TNT Sports for coverage of the main card from 12:00 AM.

UFC Vegas 106 – who’s fighting?

Main card

Welterweight: Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales
Light Heavyweight: Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato
Lightweight: Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos
Middleweight: Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Featherweight: Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa
Lightweight: Gabriel Green vs. Matheus Camilo

Prelims

Lightweight: Jared Gordon vs. Thiago Moisés
Women’s Bantamweight: Luana Santos vs. Tainara Lisboa
Featherweight: Yadier Del Valle vs. Connor Matthews
Women’s Strawweight: Elise Reed vs. Denise Gomes
Flyweight: Park Hyun-sung vs. Carlos Hernandez
Women’s Strawweight: Tecia Pennington vs. Luana Pinheiro

Gilbert Burns admits he cannot afford a 4th consecutive loss

This fight is very important to the 38-year-old Brazilian, as Burns prepares to take on the undefeated Morales at UFC Vegas 106.

Speaking on the Show Me The Money Podcast, Burns admitted that he “cannot afford to lose” after his 3 previous defeats against some top Welterweight division contenders.

“I think the guy’s very good,” Burns said. “High-level… Crazy finishes… He’s very tough. … The fight’s not officially a done deal, but I think he’s going to play. … But as Money Moicano says, ‘I can’t afford to lose, it’s three [losses] already.’

“The injury against Belal, and then the knockout against [Jack Della Maddalena], and then the last one [against Sean Brady] for me was a hard one to swallow. … Now, I’m gonna do everything in my power to perform.”

A loss to Morales will send Burns tumbling down the rankings and could end his chances of ever getting a title shot again.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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