You thought this weekend was busy enough. Turns out there’s always room for more.
With the UFC making inroads in Denmark and Bellator working back to back events this week, it’s easy to overlook a lot of everything else happening.
You know what time it is. Let’s shed some light on the rest of the world in punchyface.
Canada’s Unified MMA continues to churn out solid action with some of Western Canada’s most rugged talents, and this week is no different. Undefeated middleweight KB Bhullar (7-0) brings a new sense of focus as he squares off against Matt Dwyer (11-5) for the middleweight belt. Graham Park is riding a three-fight win streak as he meets savage finisher Sheldon Doll (7-3) for the light heavyweight strap.
And if that wasn’t enough, the heavyweight belt will also be fought over as Jared Kilkenny (13-11) meets 4-1 Chris Larsen, who has finishes in all of his fights as a professional. Greyson Wells (4-2) was originally slated to face Tyler King, but will fight Lee Mein (father of Jordan Mein, 10-14) instead.
Unified 38 starts at 9:00pm EST Friday night and will be streaming live exclusively on FITE.tv for $19.99.
Combate Americas heads to Guadalajara for another action-heavy card, headlined by gritty wrestler Chase Gibson (7-3) versus Mexico’s Horacio Gutierrez (5-3) at featherweight.
Alliance MMA’s Marcelo Rojo (15-6 – yes, the Argentinian T-rex guy) meets Guadalajara’s own Victor Hugo Madrigal (8-2) at bantamweight, and another Argentina vs Mexico is on deck with the very tough Silvana Gomez Juarez (6-2) taking on Saray Orozco (4-3). Submission ace Heinrich Wassmer (6-4) is up against Axel Osuna (2-0), and wily and exciting Christian Quinonez (13-3) is scheduled to face submission specialist Mahatma Garcia (9-8, 1 draw).
Combate 45: Guadalajara starts at 11:00pm EST this Friday, live on Univision.
South Africa brings us EFC action with a welterweight title bout at the top as Zimbabwe’s Themba Gorimbo (7-2) takes on South Africa’s Luke Michael (4-3). Simon Biyong (5-1) meets Quinton Russow (4-0) for the light heavyweight title.
4’11 Luthando “Shorty“ Biko will also be in action at bantamweight against Tumisang “The President“ Madiba (9-8).
EFC 82 starts Saturday at 2:00pm EST and streaming live on DAZN.
Liverpool rolls out the red carpet for Cage Warriors, headlined by the very tough Tom Aspinall (6-2), welcoming France’s Mickael Ben Hamouda (2-0) to the organization.
Pietro Menga (13-3) takes on Luke Shanks (5-1) at flyweight in what should be an absolute banger, and Adam Proctor (10-1) and Olli Santalahti (10-3) are set for the lone welterweight pro fight of the night.
Cage Warriors 107 starts at 4:00pm EST this Saturday, streaming exclusively in the U.S. on UFC Fight Pass.
Prospect Fighting Championship has a fundraiser for kidney disease this Saturday, headlined by TJ Laramie (9-3) ready to do work against Paris Stanford (5-1) at featherweight.
Former ACB, Caged Fury, CES and World Series of Fighting fighter Darren Mima (10-8) meets Tony Laramie (3-2), the 20 year old brother of the aforementioned TJ Laramie.
PFC 11 starts at 6:00pm EST.
Z Promotions also has an event in Canada this weekend, with the indefatigable Tony Lopez (62-31) getting to Ironman numbers as he faces Maurice Jackson (3-2) for the heavyweight title.
Former WSOF and UFC fighter Shane Campbel (hadouken master, 15-8) meets the dangerous David Jordan (7-4). Canada’s own Denis Puric (7-5) will have his hands full with former RFA and UFC fighter Terrion Ware (17-9).
Z Promotions Fight Night 11 starts Saturday night at 7:00pm
Pancrase is back with more zany Japanese action and a lot of substance to go with their unique brand of flash.
Hawaii’s Riley Dutro (13-5) and hard-hitting Toru Ogawa (11-7) headline the card at flyweight in what should be a very exciting affair. Emi Fujino (23-11) meets Brazil’s Edna Oliveira, with another Brazil vs Japan showdown brewing as Takayo Hashi looks to get that work in at age 41 against Mayra Cantuária (6-3, 1 draw).
Former RIZIN talent Tom Santos (11-9) tries to fend off the younger hungry wolf Tatsuya Saika (5-1). Former UFC fighter Issei Tamura (12-10) is still out here in these streets, this time against Katsushi Sugiyama (15-8, 1 draw).
Also, the tournament finals for three divisions open up the card, with Masahide Hiraoka (5-4) vs Junpei Ueno (2-1) at bantamweight, Kiyoshiro Akasaki (4-3) vs Satoru Enomoto (7-3), and Satoshi Miyokawa (4-4, 1 draw) and Tatsuki Ozaki (7-6) at strawweight.
Seriously folks, men’s strawweight is such a fun division. This should be great.
Pancrase 308 starts at 3:00am EST Saturday night into Sunday morning, streaming stateside on UFC Fight Pass.