Although the UFC has had a long layoff since UFC on FX 2 in Australia, there has been plenty of good MMA action going down. In the previous couple of weeks, promotions such as Bellator, BAMMA and Tachi Palace Fights have worked hard to suffice the appetite of hardcore mixed martial arts fans.
This weekend holds a number of cards, with a mixture of promising prospects and big-fight veterans. These fights will be held from Singapore to Brazil, from Connecticut to Texas.
Here is a look ahead at what to watch for this weekend.
Bellator 63
When: Friday (prelims start at 7 p.m. ET, main card starts at 8 p.m. ET)
Where: Uncasville, Connecticut
Where to Watch it: MTV 2, Bellator.com and Spike.com
What to Watch for
Bellator’s sixth season continues this weekend, holding the quarterfinals for its welterweight tournament. The preliminary card also hosts a number of lesser-known fighters looking to make a name for themselves in mixed martial arts.
This season’s welterweight participants include UFC veterans Ben Saunders and Jordan Smith, Bellator tournament veterans Bryan Baker and Chris Lozano and a number of other talented fighters.
Here is the entire card:
Main Card
- Karl Amoussou vs. Chris Lozano (welterweight-tourney opening round)
- Raul Amaya vs. Ben Saunders (welterweight-tourney opening round)
- David Rickels vs. Jordan Smith (welterweight-tourney opening round)
- Bryan Baker vs. Carlos Pereira (welterweight-tourney opening round)
Preliminary Card
- Marianna Kheyfets vs. Munah Holland
- Dan Cramer vs. Jeff Nader
- Andrey Koreshkov vs. Taiwan Howard
- Saul Almeida vs. Matt Bessette
- Parker Porter vs. Randy Smith
- Ryan Quinn vs. Marc Stevens
- Pete Rogers vs. Brandon Fleming
RFA 2: Alexander vs. Yvel
When: Friday (8 p.m. ET)
Where: Kearney, Nebraska
Where to Watch it: Sherdog.com
What to Watch for
Resurrection Fighting Alliance brings their second show live Friday night on Sherdog.com. The show is headlined by big show veterans Houston “The Assassin” Alexander and Gilbert Yvel.
Alexander is best known for his stint in the UFC, where he was known for his knockout power, while Yvel has fought all over the world, including the UFC.
Also notably on the card are former UFC champion Maurice Smith, women’s MMA veteran Tara LaRosa and highly regarded bantamweight prospect Josh Rave.
Notable Fights from the Card
- Houston Alexander vs. Gilbert Yvel
- Maurice Smith vs. Kyle Keeney
- Tara LaRosa vs. Kelly Warren
- Josh Rave vs. Timothy Elliott
- Derrick Lewis vs. Justin Frazier
- Elaina Maxwell vs. Ashley Sanchez
- Aaron Derrow vs. Jordan Johnson
ONE FC: War of the Lions
When: Saturday (8 a.m. ET)
Where: Kallang, Singapore
Where to Watch it: YouTube.com
What to Watch for
ONE Fighting Championship has quickly become the premier fight league in Asia as of recent, and showing its appreciation, they will be airing this event free on YouTube.
Headlining the card is Japanese juggernaut Tatsuya Kawajiri and his opponent Donald Sanchez.
Also on the card will be notables Felipe Enomoto, Eduard Folayang, Yuya Shirai and Melvin Manhoef.
Notable Fights on the Card
- Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Donald Sanchez
- Felipe Enomoto vs. Zorobabel Moreira
- Eduard Folayang vs. Ole Larsen
- Yuya Shirai vs. Fabricio Monteiro
- Melvin Manhoef vs. Yoshiyuki Nakanishi
- Masakazu Imanari vs. Kevin Belingon
- Richie Whitson vs. Danny van Bergen
Amazon Forest Combat 2
When: Saturday
Where: Manaus, Brazil
Where to Watch it: Unknown
What to Watch for
Amazon Forest Combat comes to you with a stacked card on Saturday, hosting a batch of notable fighters from around the world. Headlining are former champions Murilo Bustamante and Dave Menne, in a rematch from a UFC championship match back in the day, which Bustamante won.
Also on the card are a bevy of UFC veterans, including Patrick Cote, Thales Leites and Josh Burkman.
Notable Fights on the Card
- Murilo Bustamante vs. Dave Menne
- Thales Leites vs. Matt Horwich
- Patrick Cote vs. Gustavo Machado
- Josh Burkman vs. Daniel Acacio
- Rameau Sokoudjou vs. Satoshi Ishii
- Ronys Torres vs. Ferrid Kheder
WMMA 1: McCorkle vs. Heden
When: Saturday
Where: El Paso, Texas
Where to Watch it: Unknown
What to Watch for
WMMA comes to you with its inaugural event, which is a benefit for the American military. Headlining the card are heavyweights Brian Heden and Sean McCorkle.
This card also hosts a number of MMA notables, including Karo Parisyan, Paul Buentello and Lyle Beerbohm.
Notable Fights on the Card
- Sean McCorkle vs. Brian Heden
- Thomas Denny vs. Karo Parisyan
- Lyle Beerbohm vs. Derrick Noble
- Drew Fickett vs. Kevin Knabjian
- Willie Parks vs. Jamaine Facey
- Rodney Wallace vs. Derrick Mehmen
- Darrill Schoonover vs. Paul Buentello
- Frank Gomez vs. Chris Gruetzemaker
So there you have it—a weekend chalked full of fights. With a number of former champions, UFC veterans and well-traveled mixed martial artists fighting for your entertainment, there should be no shortage on the amount of MMA you can consume this weekend.
And don’t forget. The Ultimate Fighter continues this Friday on FX, as Team Cruz’s Myles Jury takes on Team Faber’s top pick, Al Iaquinta.
Also, The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil continues its amazing action Sunday night on tuf.tv, as Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort choose their teams and set the first fight.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com