The UFC are taking something of an extended break in September by their usual standards with just two events book-ending either side of the month, but if you still want your MMA fix then a number of other promotions are ready to take up the slack.
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Saturday, September 5th: UFC 191 – Johnson Vs Dodson
Where: Las Vegas, USA
After a strong spell on pay-per-view for the company, expectations are much lower for next weekend’s UFC 191 event, but while they may not be considered a big draw, the flyweight title rematch between Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson should be a high-level display of mixed martial arts between two extremely talented fighters.
The co-main event here sees a battle of former heavyweight champions from a decade ago as Frank Mir goes up against the in-form Andrei Arlovski while 205lb heavy-hitters Anthony Johnson and Jimi Manuwa also square off on the main card.
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Saturday, September 12th: Invicta FC 14 – Evinger Vs Kianzad
Where: Kansas City, USA
Invicta are back in action in September with a bantamweight title fight between their champion Tonya Evinger and unbeaten 8-0 challenger Pannie Kianzad.
Meanwhile, former strawweight title holder Katja Kankaanpää takes on the unbeaten DeAnna Bennett in the co-main event and Roxanne Modaferri faces Mariana Morais.
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Friday, September 18th: WSOF 23 – Gaethje Vs Palomino 2
Where: Pheonix, USA
Wielding a perfect 14-0 career record, WSOF lightweight champion Justin Gaethje next heads into an immediate rematch with Luis Palomino who he TKO’d in the third round back in March in a barnburning fight that many believe was the best in the promotions history.
Backing them up will be a co-main event featuring the final of their light-heavyweight tournament as David Branch comes up against Teddy Holder.
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Saturday, September 19th: Bellator 142: Dynamite!
Where: San Jose, USA
Bellator 142: Dynamite! may well be the ‘must-see’ event in September, at least in terms of the sheer spectacle of it as it’ll play host to both Bellator mma fights and Glory! kickboxing bouts taking place in a seperate cage and ring at the same time in one arena.
Headlining the show is a light-heavyweight title fight as champion Liam McGeary fights Tito Ortiz, while former UFC fighter Josh Thomson makes his promotional debut against Mike Bronzoulis.
But wait, there’s more as Bellator also have a one-night, four-man light-heavyweight tournament planned that starts with Phil Davis Vs Emanuel Newton and ‘King Mo’ Lawal Vs Linton Vassell, and we haven’t even mentioned the Glory! fights which will feature the likes of Saulo Cavalari and Paul Daley.
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Friday, September 25th: Bellator 143: Warren Vs Davis
Where: Texas, USA
After a stacked card the previous weekend, Bellator don’t pause for breath as they are back the following Friday night with another show, this time headlined by former bantamweight champion Joe Warren and LC Davis.
Also look out for the co-main event where we find a scrap between former UFC veterans Kendall Grove and Joey Beltran .
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Sunday, September 27th: UFC Fight Night 76: Barnett Vs Nelson:
Where: Saitama, Japan
Following a three week break the UFC pops back up again at the end of the month in Japan for UFC Fight Night 76 headlined by a heavyweight encounter between Josh Barnett and Roy Nelson.
Gegard Mousasi Vs Uriah Hall is another noteworthy bout to look out for here, while Japan’s own recent flyweight title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi gets the co-main event slot opposite Chico Camus.
