Spring training, NBA All-Star Game, UFC bouts pack weekend sports schedule

March 5 (UPI) -- MLB spring training games, a trio of UFC title fights, the NBA All-Star Game, three NASCAR races and a PGA Tour golf tournament highlight this weekend's sports schedule.

Spring training started Sunday and runs through March 30. Most of the games played so far have not been available for a national TV audience, but fans can tune in for several this weekend, including one on ESPN.

The Kansas City Royals host the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers at 3 p.m. EST Friday on ESPN. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to make his spring training debut for the Dodgers on Friday at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz.

Several more games will air on MLB.com and MLB Network, as well as on local TV networks.

The Minnesota Twins face the Boston Red Sox at 1 p.m. EST Saturday on MLB Network. Trevor Bauer, the 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner, is set to make his second start of spring training for the Dodgers at 3:05 p.m. EST Saturday.

The Philadelphia Phillies battle the New York Yankees at 1 p.m. EST Sunday on MLB Network.

Trio of UFC fights

Three UFC championships belts will be on the line as part of the main card for UFC 259 on Saturday in Las Vegas. The main card for UFC 259 is expected to start at 10 p.m. EST on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

Jan Blachowicz takes on Israel Adesanya in the main event of the card.

Adesanya (20-0) is the favorite to win the fight and retain the light heavyweight belt. Blachowicz (27-8) -- the middleweight champion -- has won his last four fights and is fighting up one weight class to challenge Blachowicz for the title.

Amanda Nunes (20-4) also battles Megan Anderson (11-4) in a co-main event. That bout is for the featherweight title. Nunes is a heavy favorite to retain the belt.

Nunes, arguably the best female UFC fighter in history, is listed at 5-foot-8 and 145 pounds. Anderson is 6 feet tall and 145 pounds, but Nunes doesn't believe height will be a factor in the bout.

"She is very tall and long and that can give me a little trouble, but I also have a lot of experience of fighting girls taller than me," Nunes told ESPN on Wednesday. "I just switched my training partner. ... I feel like I'm ready.

"I feel like she's not ready yet to be a champion."

Petr Yan (15-1) takes on Aljamain Sterling (19-3) in the other title bout. Yan holds the bantamweight belt, but has even odds with Sterling to win Saturday's fight.

The UFC 259 main card also features a lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober and a light heavyweight fight between Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic.

NBA and college basketball

The 2021 NBA All-Star Game tips off at 8 p.m. EST Sunday on TNT. Dozens of college basketball games, including conference tournaments, are scheduled Friday through Sunday.

Team LeBron, led by LeBron James, takes on Team Durant, led by Kevin Durant, on Sunday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. NBA All-Star weekend festivities have been combined into one day this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league's best sharpshooters will participate in the annual 3-Point Contest at 6:30 p.m. EST Saturday on TNT. The 2021 Slam Dunk Contest will be at halftime of the All-Star Game.

This weekend's college basketball schedule features several regular-season matchups and some conference tournament play.

Michigan, the No. 2 team in the coaches poll, battles in-state rival Michigan State at 4:30 p.m. EST Sunday on CBS. No. 3 Baylor also faces No. 18 Texas Tech at 4 p.m. EST Sunday on ESPN.

No. 4 Illinois, No. 5 West Virginia, No. 5 Alabama, No. 7 Houston, No. 8 Iowa, No. 9 Villanova and No. 10 Ohio State are among the other top teams in action this weekend.

Conference tournament play for the American East, Atlantic 10, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Colonial, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Summit, Sun Belt and West Coast conferences also airs this weekend on various networks.

Friday

Golf

Arnold Palmer Invitational: Second round from 2 to 6 p.m. EST on Golf Channel

MLB

Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN

NASCAR Truck Series

Bucked Up 200 at 9 p.m. EST on FS1

Saturday

College basketball

Florida State at Notre Dame at noon EST on ESPN2

South Carolina at Kentucky at noon EST on ESPN

Georgetown at UConn at noon EST on CBS

Rutgers at Minnesota at noon EST on Fox

Alabama at Georgia at 2 p.m. EST on CBS

Villanova at Providence at 2:30 p.m. EST on Fox

Illinois at Ohio State at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN

Butler at Creighton at 4 p.m. EST on Fox

Virginia at Louisville at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN2

USC at UCLA at 4 p.m. EST on CBS

Texas A&M at Arkansas at 5 p.m. EST on SEC Network

Duke at North Carolina at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN

MLB

Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox at 1 p.m. EST on MLB Network

Golf

Arnold Palmer Invitational: Third round from 2:30 to 6 p.m. EST on NBC

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Alsco Uniforms 300 at 4:30 p.m. EST on FS1

UFC 259 main card on ESPN+ pay-per-view

Thiago Santos vs. Aleksandar Rakic at 10 p.m. EST

Islam Makhachev vs. Drew Dober after first fight

Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling after second fight

Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson after third fight

Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya after fourth fight

Sunday

College basketball

Houston at Memphis at noon EST on CBS

Wisconsin at Iowa at 12:30 p.m. EST on Fox

Texas Tech at Baylor at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN

Michigan at Michigan State at 4:30 p.m. EST on CBS

Texas at TCU at 7 p.m. EST at 7 p.m. EST on Big 12 Network

NHL

Sabres at Islanders at noon EST on NBC

Lightning at Blackhawks at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBCSN

Devils at Bruins at 5 p.m. EST on NBCSN

Rangers at Penguins at 7:30 p.m. EST on NBCSN

MLB

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees at 1 p.m. EST on MLB Network

Golf

Arnold Palmer Invitational: Final round from 2:30 to 6 p.m. EST on NBC

NASCAR Cup Series

Pennzoil 400 at 3:30 p.m. EST on Fox

NBA

3-Point Contest at 6:30 p.m. EST on TNT

All-Star Game at 8 p.m. EST on TNT

Moments from LeBron James' career

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School senior LeBron James (L) drives around a Zanesvuille defender in Akron, Ohio, on February 14, 2003. James is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. A couple months later, the Cleveland Cavaliers coach was suspended because James worked out with the team before he graduated from high school. Photo by Tom Cammett/UPI | License Photo

James slam dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Cleveland, on November 5, 2003. The Cavaliers lost 93-89 in their home opener. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI | License Photo

James keeps the ball from Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace in Charlotte, N.C., on November 18, 2004. Earlier that year, James was chosen as Rookie of the Year and named to the National Basketball Association All-Rookie Team. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (R) reaches in for the steal from James in Los Angeles on January 12, 2006. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 99-98. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James puts in a layup over Washington Wizards Jared Jeffries in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2006. Washington defeated Cleveland 104-92. Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo

James looks back to the bench during a timeout in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., on May 9, 2006. The Pistons defeated the Cavaliers 97-91 in game two of the second round of playoffs. Later that year, James signed a three-year extension with the Cavaliers. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI | License Photo

James pumps his fist during the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 31, 2007. The Cavaliers won 112-108 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James smiles before the game against the New York Knicks in New York City on December 19, 2007. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 108-90. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James hits a long 3-point shot at the buzzer before halftime against the New York Knicks in New York City on March 5, 2008. James scored 50 points as the Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 119-105. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

The United States' Jason Kidd (L to R), James and Chris Paul celebrate a win over Spain to claim the gold medal for men's basketball during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 24, 2008. The United States won 118 to 107. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Coach Dru Joyce (L to R), James and director Kristopher Belman arrive at a screening of the film "More Than A Game" in Paris on September 2, 2009. The Cavaliers had finished the previous season as the Eastern Conference's top seed. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

James goes through his pregame ritual before playing against the New York Knicks in New York City on November 6, 2009. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 100-91. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James shows off his second consecutive NBA MVP trophy before Game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics in Cleveland on May 3, 2010. Photo by David Richard/UPI | License Photo

James drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on December 25, 2010. The Heat defeated the Lakers 96-80. After seven years playing in Cleveland, James signed with the Miami Heat summer 2010. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo

James drives to the basket during the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Chicago on May 26, 2011. The Heat defeated the Bulls 83-80. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James gets ready to play against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on April 12, 2012. The Bulls defeated the Heat 96-86 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James (L) and Miami Heat teammate Dwayne Wade stand on the court while the Heat shoot free throws against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round of the NBA Playoffs in New York City on May 6, 2012. The Knicks defeated the Heat 89-87. Later that month, James won the NBA MVP Award for the third time. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

The United States' Tyson Chandler (L to R), Kevin Durant, James, and Westbrook Russell joke with teammates after receiving their gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London on August 12, 2012. The United States defeated Spain to claim the gold 107-100. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

President Barack Obama (R) laughs as he listens to James talk about his visit to the White House and Dwayne Wade holds an "Obama" jersey, as the Miami Heat visit the East Room in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 2013. Later that year, the Heat won their second consecutive title. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

James' shot is blocked by Brooklyn Nets Andray Blatche (C) and point guard Shaun Livingston (L) in New York City on November 1, 2013. The Nets defeated the Heat 101-100. Photo by Rich Kane/UPI | License Photo

James wears a jersey with his nickname, "King James," on the back against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on January 10, 2014. The Nets defeated the Heat 104-95 in double overtime. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James stands on the floor during a timeout against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 9, 2014. The Bulls defeated the Heat 95-88 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPi | License Photo

James honors the fallen Eric Garner with a T-shirt that says "I can't breathe" as he is introduced at the start of the game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on December 8, 2014. ***He's back on the Cavs**** UPI/Rich Kane | License Photo

James drives the the basket as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler defends during Game 3 the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 8, 2015. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 99-96 and lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James (L) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith laugh as they watch their teammates finish off the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 14, 2015 in Chicago. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 94-73, winning the series 4-2 and advancing the the Eastern Conference Finals. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James fires a jump shot over Brooklyn Nets Wayne Ellington in New York City on January 20, 2016. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 91-78. In late 2015, James ranked in the top 25 of NBA top scorers and top assisters. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James (L) introduces Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally in Cleveland on November 6, 2016. Earlier in the year, James wrote a column in support of Clinton's candidacy. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

James arrives on the red carpet at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016 in New York City on December 12, 2016. James was honoredd as the 2016 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Cast member James, back left, attends the premiere of "Smallfoot" with his wife, Savannah,and their children, Bryce Maximus (L to R), Zhuri and LeBron Jr. in Los Angeles on September 22, 2018. James voiced the character Gwangi in the animated film. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James participates in Lakers media day in El Segundo, Calif., on September 27, 2019. James joined the Lakers in late 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James continues his dribble while falling to the court against the Warriors in second quarter action in Los Angeles on November 13, 2019. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 120-94. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James speaks during the Los Angeles Lakers' ceremony to honor Kobe Bryant before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles on January 31, 2020. James, who is in his second season with the Lakers and passed Bryant to take third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list Saturday night, spoke about the death of Bryant to the crowd. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James smiles during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Los Angeles on March 6, 2020. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 113-103. A couple months later, James and several other NBA stars had a private conference about how to resume the season during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo