🥊 Adesanya returns to battle in UFC 305

. THE FIGHTS .

UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Event Date: August 18, 2024
Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Event Time: Main Card starts at 10:00 PM EDT

Main Event: Middleweight Championship

  • Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel Adesanya

    • Records: Du Plessis (21-2), Adesanya (24-3)

    • Weights: 185 lbs each

    • Betting Odds: Du Plessis +130, Adesanya -160

Co-Main Event: Flyweight Bout

  • Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg

    • Records: Kara-France (24-11), Erceg (10-1)

    • Weights: 125 lbs each

    • Betting Odds: Kara-France -150, Erceg +120

Additional Fights:

  • Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker (Lightweight)

    • Gamrot (23-2) vs. Hooker (23-13)

  • Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (Heavyweight)

    • Tuivasa (14-5) vs. Rozenstruik (13-5)

  • Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates (Welterweight)

    • Jingliang (19-8) vs. Prates (16-5)

How to Watch:

  • Main Card: ESPN+ PPV at 10:00 PM EDT

  • Prelims: ESPN2, ESPN+ starting at 8:00 PM EDT

Top Rank Boxing: Super Middleweight Showdown

Event Date: Saturday, August 17, 2024
Location: Montreal’s Videotron Centre
Event Time: Main Card starts at 10:00 PM EDT on ESPN

Main Event:

  • Christian Mbilli (France) vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko (Ukraine)

    • Records: Mbilli (25-0, 21 KOs), Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs)

    • Weights: Super Middleweight (168 lbs)

    • Betting Odds: Mbilli -425, Derevyanchenko +300

Undercard Highlights:

  • Arslanbek Makhmudov (Russia) vs. Junior Anthony Wright (USA) (Heavyweight)

  • Simon Kean (Canada) vs. Eric Molina (USA) (Heavyweight)

How to Watch:

  • Main Card: ESPN, ESPN+

ONE Championship

ONE Friday Fights 75

Event Date: August 16, 2024
Location: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok
Event Time: Main Card starts at 8:30 AM EDT

Main Event: Muay Thai Catchweight Bout (127 lbs)

  • Kompet Fairtex vs. Omar El Halabi

    • Background: Kompet, a two-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion, seeks his fifth straight win against rising star El Halabi.

Featured Fighters:

  • Khunsuek (Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion) aims for his 100th career win.

  • Chanajon PK Saenchai (Rajadamnern Stadium titleholder) adds to his three-digit win count.

  • Shir Cohen (Israel) looks to continue her success in the women’s atomweight division.

How to Watch:

  • Available live in over 190 countries via the ONE Championship website and app.

Bare Knuckle Fight Club

BKFC Fight Night Kansas City
  • Date: August 16, 2024

  • Location: Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas

  • Main Event: Derek Lindsey (Record: 4-2) vs. Carlos Brito (Record: 3-1). This welterweight showdown pits Lindsey’s experience against Brito’s emerging talent.

  • Betting Odds: Lindsey at -150, Brito at +120.

How to Watch: Available live on the BKFC app and website.

For more details, visit BKFC Fight Night Kansas City.

Jiu Jitsu

ADCC World Championship 2024

Event Overview: The 2024 ADCC World Championship will take place on August 17-18, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This highly anticipated submission grappling tournament features elite competitors from around the world, competing in both men's and women's divisions.

Top Fights & Competitors:

  • Men’s Superfight: Reigning “Absolute” champion Gordon Ryan will defend his title against an as-yet-to-be-announced challenger.

  • Women’s Lightweight: Reigning champion Ffion Davies will look to defend her title against a stacked field, including rising star Bianca Basilio, known for her aggressive style.

  • Men’s 77 kg Division: Always one of the most competitive divisions, this year features returning champion JT Torres, facing tough opposition from up-and-comers like Tye Ruotolo.

How to Watch: The event will be streamed live. For detailed broadcast information, visit the ADCC Official Website.

. THE HIGHLIGHTS .

AGF and United World Grappling Planning's Plan for BJJ in the 2028 Olympics

Brandon Quick, co-owner of the American Grappling Federation is working with United World Grappling to get BJJ into the Olympics, albeit with a different ruleset to the IBJJF. The UWW ruleset is weighted towards action, encouraging takedowns and submission attempts.

And to the annoyance of IBJJF referees everywhere, the ruleset gives points for side control. But at least the matches should be exciting to watch.

Michael Chandler Talks Alternative Opponents if McGregor Falls Through

Michael Chandler may be hoping for McGregor in December but he's open to alternatives. In a recent interview, he said "Me and Max (Holloway) would absolutely make some bloody, violent magic inside an octagon."

Chandler concedes a more realistic option is a rematch with Charles Oliveira, who finished Chandler early in round 2 when they faced off at UFC 262.

Darren Till's Words of Wisdom for Israel Adesanya vs DDP

Darren Till took to X to tell Israel Adesanya how to beat Dricus Du Plessis. Talking striker to striker, he praised Izzy's striking, and suggested "Lots of feints… he reacts to them so much and throws from the hills. Then you can step back."

Urijah Faber Open to a Boxing Match With Jose Aldo

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Urijah Faber said "I would do a boxing match with Jose Aldo." Just boxing though. "I would not want to do a kickboxing match with Jose Aldo, that’s for damn sure. I learned my lesson!"

If you're wondering why... just Google "Uriah Faber's leg" and you'll see 😱.

. THE HEAT .

Canelo Promises to Take Care of Edgar Berlanga

As Caleb Plant and Edgar Berlanga had a heated press conference exchange, Canelo jumped in with a promise. "Caleb, don't worry. I'll take care of him for you."  September 14th, we'll find out who has more IQ. His turn is coming.

Merab Dvalishvili Slams Tim Welch Over Stupid Stories

Merab Dvalishvili may respect O'Malley, but not so much his coach. When asked about Tim Welch and the rumors and stories that have been circulating, Dvalishvili said, "Nothing is real. He’s making stories up about me, which is not true. He deserves (me) to smack his face."

Bisping's Backhanded Backing of Jake Paul's Olympics 2028 Bid

Bisping and Jake Paul rarely see eye to eye, so his views on Jake Paul's Olympic boxing bid should be no surprise. "If he did go and fight in the Olympics, well, first of all, it wouldn't be his promotion, so he wouldn't be able to cherry-pick opponents. He wouldn't be able to take people that are way past their sell-by date, like Mike Tyson, who is 58 years old."

Bisping then broke down how Paul's style wouldn't suit Olympic boxing. We'd still like to see him try!

. THE BONUS .

Check out this clip of Adesanya talking about his stare down with DDP at the press conference. Worlds will collide on Saturday night. We’re looking forward to it!

To DDP’s credit, Izzy’s mental game seems to have no effect. Check this out.

. THAT’S ALL .

That’s all for now.

See you on the next edition.

Stay ready,
Fight Fan Crew 👊