Nashville, Tennessee is gearing up for UFC on ESPN 70, an event headlined by heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis facing off against Tallison Teixeira. While the main event promises fireworks, keen observers of the sport know that significant career moments often unfold on the undercard. Such is the case with a compelling welterweight bout scheduled between Max Griffin and Chris Curtis.
This fight carries particular weight for both competitors. Each is stepping into the Bridgestone Arena octagon looking to rebound decisively from a recent setback. In the often unforgiving landscape of mixed martial arts, momentum is a precious commodity, and a win here is crucial for staying relevant in the stacked welterweight and middleweight (for Curtis, who often competes there) divisions.
Fighters Under the Microscope: Griffin vs. Curtis
Max `Pain` Griffin, hailing from the United States, brings a professional record of 20 wins and 11 losses into this contest. At 180 cm tall and weighing 77.1 kg, Griffin is a seasoned veteran known for taking on tough opponents. His last outing, however, resulted in a submission loss to Michael Chiesa in December. Despite the loss, Griffin has shown resilience throughout his career, holding wins over notable names, suggesting he can never be counted out.
Across the cage stands Chris `The Action Man` Curtis, also from the United States. With a more extensive record of 31 wins and 12 losses, the 178 cm tall, 83.9 kg fighter is no stranger to high-stakes matchups. Curtis is known for his potent striking, but he suffered a TKO defeat against Roman Kopylov in January. With significantly more professional fights than Griffin, Curtis possesses a wealth of experience and diverse methods of victory on his record, making him a challenging puzzle for anyone in the division.
The narrative is clear: two experienced fighters, both coming off losses, facing off with the explicit goal of getting back on track. This isn`t just another fight; it`s a test of will and a potential turning point for the loser.
Event Details: Date, Location, and Full Card Context
UFC on ESPN 70 is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The event features a full lineup of bouts leading up to the Lewis vs. Teixeira main event.
The Max Griffin vs. Chris Curtis fight is part of the undercard, scheduled for three rounds. As is standard in live fight broadcasts, the exact start time of any specific undercard bout can shift depending on how long the preceding fights last. However, approximate timings are provided to help fans plan their viewing.
Timing and Viewing Information
Live coverage for the main card of UFC on ESPN 70 is scheduled to begin at 06:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on ESPN+. The ring walks for the Max Griffin vs. Chris Curtis fight are anticipated to occur around 07:40 PM EST.
Fans watching from different regions will need to adjust for their local time zone. Below is a table summarizing the main card start times and approximate ring walk times for this specific bout in several key regions:
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Max Griffin vs Chris Curtis Ring Walks (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA and Canada (EST) | Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 06:00 PM | 07:40 PM |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 03:00 PM | 04:40 PM |
| UK and Ireland (GMT) | Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 10:00 PM | 11:40 PM |
| Australia (AEDT) | Sunday, July 13, 2025 | 09:00 AM | 10:40 AM |
In the United States, the event will be available for streaming via ESPN+.
UFC on ESPN 70 Fight Card Highlights
Beyond the Griffin vs. Curtis matchup and the main event, the card features several other intriguing bouts, including:
- Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira (Main Event)
- Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim
- Calvin Kattar vs Steve Garcia
- Nate Landwehr vs Morgan Charriere
- Vitor Petrino vs Austen Lane
- Junior Tafa vs George Tokkos
- Max Griffin vs Chris Curtis
- Jake Matthews vs Chidi Njokuani
- Lauren Murphy vs Eduarda Moura
- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Valter Walker
- Mitch Ramirez vs Mike Davis
- Fatima Kline vs Melissa Martinez
The clash between Max Griffin and Chris Curtis stands out as a critical juncture for both fighters. With recent losses fresh in their minds, the pressure is on to deliver a performance that not only secures a victory but also makes a statement to the rest of the division. Tune in to see which veteran can turn the tide back in their favor at UFC on ESPN 70 in Nashville.
Rupert Hartwell