Combat Sports Today: UFC 300 Fight Week, PFL Madness, Serrano-Taylor 2 at MSG Sphere, Jon Jones Allegations

Your weekly dose of combat sports.

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April has arrived, marking a significant milestone for the MMA community as we draw closer to the long-awaited UFC 300 event. This event, which has been building anticipation for almost eight years, is set to be a game-changer in the world of combat sports.

As the week commences, MMA Knockout’s Zain Bando is back with his weekly combat sports update, priming fight fans for the exhilaration that awaits.

UFC 300: A Can’t-Miss Spectacle 

The stakes are known by now: Twenty-six fighters, thirteen fights, twelve current or former champions, and Las Vegas as its backdrop. UFC 300 will take center stage as the combat sports world touches down on T-Mobile Arena Saturday night with three world title fights, including a possible reinvigoration of the light heavyweight division when Jamahal Hill takes on Alex Pereira. Although Hill never lost the title, he was forced to relinquish his status as champion after suffering an Achilles tear in July, keeping him sidelined.

Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira for the light heavyweight strap at UFC 283 / Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Below is the entire card. MMA Knockout will have rolling coverage leading up to, during, and after the event’s conclusion. The card begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, culminating with the pay-per-view at its usual start time (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

• Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt; BW
• Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller; LW
• Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez; SW
• Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano; LW
• Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes; FW
• Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison; BW
• Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling; FW
• Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic; LHW
• Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage; MW
• Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan; LW
• Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway; LW BMF Title Fight
• Weili Zhang vs. Yan Xiaonan; SW Title Fight
• Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill; LHW Title Fight

PFL Madness: A Transition From San Antonio To Las Vegas

The PFL continues its second leg of the regular-season as it transitions the action from San Antonio, Tex. to Las Vegas, Nev. Friday evening. The event features some of the promotion’s best, including Impa Kasanganay, the 2023 defending light heavyweight champion in the main event against Alex Polizzi. Arguably serving as the appetizer to the main course, or vice-versa depending on your MMA preferences, the action gets going at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m.  PT at The Theater at Virgin Hotels on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Below is the updated bout order, courtesy of PFL, subject to change.

PFL Las Vegas – April 12, 2024 Las Vegas, NV - 9 pm EST on ESPN 2 and ESPN +

• Light Heavyweight Regular Season Main Event: Impa Kasanganay (15-4) vs. Alex Polizzi (10-3)
• Light Heavyweight Regular Season Co-Main Event: Tom Breese (18-4) vs. Robert Wilkinson (17-2)
• Lightweight Regular Season Bout: Clay Collard (24-12) vs. Patricky Pitbull (25-12)
• Lightweight Regular Season Bout: Mads Burnell (18-5) vs. Michael Dufort (12-4)
• Light Heavyweight Regular Season Bout: Sadibou Sy (16-7-2) vs. Josh Silveira (12-2)
• Light Heavyweight Regular Season Bout: Antonio Carlos Jr. (15-5) vs. Simon Biyong (9-3)

PFL Las Vegas – Early Card - 6 pm EST on ESPN +

• Light Heavyweight Regular Season Bout: Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (21-7-1) vs. Jakob Nedoh (8-1)
• Lightweight Regular Season Bout: Bruno Miranda (16-4) vs. Brent Primus (12-3)
• Lightweight Regular Season Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (20-4-2) vs. Solomon Renfro (11-4)
• Lightweight Regular Season Bout: Jay Jay Wilson (10-1) vs. Adam Piccolotti (14-5)
• Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Marcelo Nunes (10-2) vs. Giacomo Lemos (8-0

Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor 2 Targeted For June At MSG Sphere

It appears Dana White’s proclamation of creating the first and only combat sports event to take place at the breathtaking MSG Sphere may be debunked three months early.

According to RTE Sport, boxing intends to get thrust into the spotlight when Amanda Serrano rematches Katie Taylor two years removed from their first encounter in New York City.

While no date has been confirmed, it’s arguably the biggest fight in women’s boxing, as Serrano looks to avenge one of her two losses in her 48-fight professional career. At press time, the fight is targeted for June.

Jon Jones Gets In Hot Water Again

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is in the news for the wrong reasons, again.

It was alleged over the weekend that Jones, who has been part of the UFC since Aug. 2008 and once held the light heavyweight title, acted unprofessionally toward a Drug Free Sport employee during a random drug test and threatened to kill the employee and seize her phone.

The UFC has not made a public statement, but Jones has, firmly denying any allegations and saying he was never charged, nor arrested.

This story is still developing, as Jones is targeted to finally fight Stipe Miocic later on this year.

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