Summer 2019 is shaping up to have some of the most exciting fights in recent history. Capped off by UFC 241 in August, we will take a deeper look into what the UFC will be offering this summer.
UFC 238- June 8 Chicago IL
The first pay per view of the summer comes with plenty of firepower. From the debut of Grigory Popov, to the countless bantamweight showdowns, and the heavily hyped return of Tony Ferguson this one is a can’t miss. Ever since Ferguson VS Cerrone was announced a couple of weeks ago all eyes have been on this card. A women's flyweight championship bout is in the Co-Main event slot as Valentina Schevchenko is set to defend her belt for the first time against the Midwest's own Jessica “Evil” Eye. To top off the night flyweight Champ Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo battles number one bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship as he looks to become a “Champ Champ”.
UFC Fight Night- June 22 Greenville SC
The main event takes all the cake here in Greenville as number five ranked Renato Moicano battles number twelve ranked “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. Both fighters are coming off of devastating stoppage losses so expect nothing but fireworks as they try to make a statement on who deserves as shot next in the talented featherweight division.
UFC on ESPN 3- Jun 29 Minneapolis MN
Previously scheduled to feature Woodley VS Lawler 2 but scrapped due to a Woodley hand injury, now we see a bout that was scheduled for UFC 229 move into its place as Heavyweight contenders Francis Ngannou and veteran of the octagon Junior Dos Santos do battle. For a ESPN card, this one is STACKED! From the early prelims featuring hard-hitting lightweight Jared Gordon, the prelims feature “Ya Boi” Eryk Anders and undefeated Light Heavyweight Alonzo Menifield, and the main card has a very interesting flyweight bout which is also a rematch Jussier Formiga takes on flyweight mainstay Joseph Benavidez. And after all of that, we get to see the long-awaited matchup of Ngannou and JDS.
UFC 239- July 6 Las Vegas NV
Hyped up to be the event of the summer and falling on international fight week UFC 239 features nothing but star power. From the return of “Sugar” Sean O Malley, Luke Rockhold’s light heavyweight debut, Masvidal VS Askren, and two championship fights. Another eye-catching bout on the prelims is Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez looking to continue his momentum against Michael “Maverick” Chiesa. This event has plenty of opportunities to give us moments to talk about for the rest of the summer!
UFC 240- July 27 Edmonton CAN
With summer slowly coming to a end MMA fans will not have a lack of action as UFC Featherweight Champ Max “Blessed” Holloway takes on Contender and UFC Legend Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. Many questioned why Edgar was getting the shot over rising star Alexander Volkanovski but now with Volkanovski recovering from a horrible infection, and also being promised the next shot at the title, this looks like the fight to make. It will be interesting to see how Holloway performs coming off a hard-fought loss to Dustin Poirer and if Frankie can capitalize on this huge opportunity. Also a rumored bout of Brian Ortega VS Zabit Magomedsharipov is also looking to be added to this card in Canada.
UFC 241- Aug 17 Anaheim CA-
Capping off the summer will be a huge rematch for the heavyweight title between The Champ Champ Daniel Cormier and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. This fight ended in stunning knockout fashion the first time around with DC being victorious, so it should be interesting watching these men hopefully go a little longer. This card will also feature two star-studded bouts Anthony Pettis VS Nate Diaz and Yoel Romero VS Paolo Costa. If this card stays healthy and the MMA Gods are nice to us this would be a great way to end the summer!