It’s back, baby! International Fight Week returns to Las Vegas at the end of September.
Man, was it ever frustrating watching International Fight Week 2020 get scuttled by COVID-19. Originally set for July 7th through July 12th in Las Vegas, the UFC was forced to cancel the event due to limitations on public gatherings imposed by the state.
Fortunately the United States is sitting in a better place now than they were 12 months ago. And while we aren’t going to get the usual summertime Vegas International Fight Week, the UFC has now announced the slightly delayed schedule for International Fight Week 2021: Tuesday September 21st to Saturday September 25th, coinciding with the promotion’s UFC 266 card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here’s the statement released by the UFC:
UFC® today announced that the 9th Annual UFC International Fight Week™ will take place in Las Vegas from Tuesday, September 21, through Saturday, September 25, headlined by UFC® 266: VOLKANOVSKI vs. ORTEGA, presented by Modelo. The event-filled week will also include the traditional 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a two-day, interactive UFC Fan Experience®.The prestigious 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires® will be held on Thursday, September 23, and will honor specific achievements and contributions to UFC and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.
In addition, on Friday, September 24, and continuing on Saturday, September 25, fans will be able to take part in an easily accessible and fully interactive, free, two-day UFC Fan Experience that will feature meet and greets, autograph sessions, and partner activations that provide unprecedented access to UFC champions, top-ranked contenders, Hall of Famers, and other UFC personalities.
Fans from around the world who converge on Las Vegas for UFC International Fight Week will also be able to enjoy ceremonial weigh-ins, press conferences and live entertainment of a traditional Fight Week leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFC® 266: VOLKANOVSKI vs. ORTEGA, on Saturday, September 25, at T-Mobile Arena.
UFC 266 will be headlined by the Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega fight for the featherweight title, and the co-main will feature a women’s strawweight championship fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Lauren Murphy. A third five round fight on the card also pits Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler against each other in a rematch of their 2004 classic.