What’s On: June 24-26th

UFC FIGHT NIGHT

This weekend’s UFC Fight Night will see the main event featuring an exciting lightweight contenders’ bout between No. 11 Arman Tsarukyan (18-2) and No. 12 Mateusz Gamrot (20-1). Tsarukyan hopes to extend his five-fight win streak in his first UFC main event opportunity.  He also looks to be the first to finish Gamrot. Gamrot, by defeating Tsarukyan, can reach a place in the top 10 for the first time in his career.

The co-main presents a welterweight feud between No.10 Neil Magny (26-9) and No.15 Shavkat Rakhmonov (15-0).

PFL 5

Tonight, PFL 5 is live on ESPN and ESPN+. The Heavyweight and Featherweight fighters are on the path to the 2022 PFL Playoffs, so the athletes are hoping to secure a place with decisive wins this evening. Lightweights Anthony Pettis and Steve Ray will close out the 155-pound division season at tonights event.

Some fights to look out for: Bruno Cappelozza returns, tied with Renan Ferreira and Denis Goltsov atop the division. After suffering a loss in his first PFL Regular Season contest, Cappelozza’s rival for the night, Matheus Scheffel for any hope for the playoffs.

UFC veteran Anthony “Showtime” Pettis is bond for the playoffs, looking to ensure the top position as he faces Stevie Ray from Scotland.  Ray could make the playoff round if he stops Pettis by 2:41 of the third round, as per PFL rules.

PFL 5 begins at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) then the action continues on ESPN and will be simulcast on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. Coverage begins with the live Pre-Fight show at 5:30 pm ET on ESPN+.

ESPN Card (simulcast on ESPN+)

Bruno Cappelozza vs. Matheus Scheffel

Anthony Pettis vs. Stevie Ray

Chris Wade vs. Kyle Bochniak

Renan Ferreira vs. Klidson Abreu

Ante Delija vs. Shelton Graves

Bubba Jenkins vs. Reinaldo Ekson

Denis Goltsov vs. Maurice Greene

ESPN+ Card (English and Spanish)

Lance Palmer vs. Sheymon Moraes

Sam Kei vs. Juan Adams

Alejandro Flores vs. Ryoji Kudo

Brendan Loughnane vs. Keith Richardson

ULAANBAATAR GRAND SLAM, JUDO

The International Judo Federation’s world tour continues, reaching Mongolia this weekend, with 30 countries represented through 255 competitors. IJF President, Marius L. Vizer said this in a media statement prior to the competitions: 

The judo world will enjoy impeccable hospitality accompanying every moment in Ulaanbaatar. It will be a memorable competition not only because it is Mongolia’s first Grand Slam but because this is the opening of the Olympic qualification season, the first event for which the points will be earned towards representation on the Olympic stage for Paris 2024. The world’s best and brightest judo stars will be joined by the new generation and the fireworks promise to be spectacular.

Olympic qualifications are underway, and the top judokas of the world look to earn a spot at the coveted competition. 

The event can be viewed live on YouTube at the IJF’s account. 

BOXING

Reigning WBC Super Flyweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (15-0) is the world’s youngest champion at 22 years old and makes his first title defence tomorrow night against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. This is the headline fight of Matchroom’s card in San Antonio. 

The hard-hitting Murodjon Akhmadaliev from Uzbekistan is preparing to defend his WBA and IBF World Super Bantamweight Championships against Ronny Rios in San Antonio, Texas, on the same card as Rodriguez vs. Rungvisai. Rios is the WBA mandatory challenger

Also on the card is Julio Cesar Martinez’s rematch against McWilliams Arroyo. They fight for the WBC flyweight championship, as Martinez seeks to retain his title. 

Martinez and McWilliams first fought last November, but sadly the fight ended prematurely following a clash of heads.

Finally, the card will see Jessica McCaskill (11-2) return to defend her undisputed women’s welterweight title. McCaskill returns, fighting for the first time in 2022, putting her undisputed women’s welterweight title on the line. She faces Alma Ibarra (10-1), who will be no easy opponent. Both defeated Kandi Wyatt, Ibarra’s win coming in August last year. 

Date: Saturday, June 25

Time: 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST

Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET/ 4 a.m. BST

Streaming on DAZN.

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