Beginning with the first Saturday of the month and running through until April turns to May, fight fans will be treated to consecutive UFC events on each and every weekend of the month ahead.
While the action in the Octagon garners the lion’s share of the spotlight (and rightfully so), that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other events and other fights happening in the mixed martial arts world that deserve your attention. There are and they do, and that’s the reason we’re rolling out our latest monthly series here today.
At the start of every month, Outside the Octagon will give you a glimpse at the best events and the biggest fights taking place beyond the biggest stage in the sport. We’ll try to clue you in to some up-and-coming prospects, returning veterans worth keeping an eye on, and some fights that just seem really interesting and promise to be exciting.
Without further ado…
Bellator 95 (Thursday, April 4)
I have to give it to Bellator — they’ve been consistently strong all year, and even with some of their bigger names coming up short, they’ve managed to maintain good numbers on Spike TV, and should continue that trend this Thursday.
Pat Curran (18-4) is on the short list for being “The Best Fighter Outside of the UFC” at the moment, and the Bellator featherweight champion will look to once again show why when he takes on tournament winner Shahbulat Shamhalaev (12-1-1) in the main event.
The 29-year-old Dagastani’s only loss came against his fellow countryman and UFC standout Khabib Nurmagomedov and he was more than happy to take the bout on somewhat short notice after Daniel Strauss was forced from the contest due to legal issues. Curran has won five straight dating back to his lightweight title fight loss to Eddie Alvarez, and he is firmly entrenched as one of the top five featherweights in the world.
What else to watch for: Mike Richman (15-2) squares off with “Frodo” Khasbulaev (20-5) in the featherweight tournament final … Rick Hawn (14-2) moves back up to welterweight to take on the enigmatic Karo Parisyan (22-9) … Former TUF hopeful and quality bantamweight prospect Jimmie Rivera (11-1) takes on Brian Kelleher (8-3).
ONE FC 8 (Friday, April 5)
In a short period of time, ONE FC has established itself as the premier organization in Asian MMA, and this card features a number of recognizable names, plus a handful of lesser-known talents to keep an eye on moving forward.
Team Krazy Bee veteran Kotetsu Boku (20-7-2) will defend the lightweight title he won when he knocked out Zorobabel Moreira back in October against former top 5 lightweight Shinya Aoki.
The Japanese submission ace and former Dream lightweight champion was victorious in his promotional debut the same night Boku won his belt, and he called for a title shot upon securing his first-round win over Arnaud Lepont. Now “Tobikan Judan” will get his opportunity to bring the lightweight title back to his team, Evolve, as promised.
What else to watch for: Middleweight knockout artist Melvin Manhoef (27-9-1) takes on former WEC and UFC vet Brock Larson (36-7) … Jens Pulver (27-17-1) and Masakatsu Ueda in one bantamweight tournament semifinal, while Kevin Belingon (10-2) takes on Thanh Vu (3-1) in the other … Eddie Ng (5-1) looks to earn his third consecutive sub-one-minute win against Lepont (9-2).
Invicta FC 5 (Friday, April 5)
This really is the best collection of female fighters ever assembled under one roof.
The main event sees Jessica Penne (10-1) defend her atomweight title against Michelle (The Karate Hottie) Waterson (10-3), while Vanessa Porto (15-5) and Barb Honchak (7-2) square off in a battle to determine who will be the inaugural flyweight champion in the penultimate bout of the evening. It doesn’t stop there either, as Cristiane (Cyborg) Santos (10-1) returns against Fiona Muxlow (6-2), and Canadian Sarah Kaufman (15-2) makes her promotional debut against tough and tenacious Gracie Fighter representative Leslie Smith (5-2).
What else to watch for: Former Bellator 115-pound champ Zoila Frausto-Gurgel (12-2) takes on Jennifer Maia (6-2) … Port Moody, B.C.’s Julia Budd (4-2) squares off with Mollie Estes (1-1) … Fan favourite (Rowdy) Bec Hyatt (4-2) returns to face Jasminka Cive (5-0) … (Thug) Rose Namajunas (1-0) looks to go 2-for-2 when she takes on Kathina Catroon (2-1).
Quick hitters of interest
Legacy Fighting Championship 19 – Friday, April 12
Former UFC and WEC competitor Will Campuzano (11-4) takes on unbeaten Allan Nascimento (7-0) for the flyweight title, while Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout Robert Drysdale (5-0) squares off with D.J. Linderman (13-4) in the co-main event.
Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 53 – Saturday, April 13
American featherweight prospect Jim Alers (9-1) puts his five-fight winning streak on the line against Finland’s Joni Salovaara (12-5) in the main event. In the penultimate fight of the night, unbeaten strawweight striker Joanne Calderwood (5-0) takes on veteran fellow Invicta FC veteran Sally Krumdiak (9-6).
Road FC 11 – Saturday, April 13
Former top-ranked lightweight Joachim (Hellboy) Hansen (22-11-1) returns, fighting at featherweight and competing for the first time since September 2011, taking on Doo Won Seo, while former UFC competitor Luis Ramos (20-8) faced Jung Hwan Cha.
In the co-main event, Takasuke Kuma (15-1-4) puts his nine-fight winning streak on the line against Yui Chul Nam (15-4-1) to crown the first ever Road FC lightweight champion, while the main event pits Japanese favourite Ikuhisa (The Punk) Minowa (56-34-8) against Eun Soo Lee (16-4-0) for the Road FC middleweight title.
XFC 23: Louisville Slugfest – Friday, April 19
In a battle of two fighters looking to make their way back to the biggest stages in the sport, former Ultimate Fighter contestant Shamar Bailey (15-8) headlines opposite former Bellator hopeful Luis (Sapo) Santos (54-8-1). Bailey has had mixed results since being released by the UFC — he’s 3-3 in six fights — but has put together back-to-back wins, while Santos is looking to halt a two-fight losing streak.
