November is a stacked month of combat sports! Here’s a look at five fights you won’t want to miss.
James Gallagher vs. Patchy Mix – Bellator 270 – Nov. 5
It’s official. James Gallagher (@StrabanimalMMA) will take on Patchy Mix in a bantamweight bout at Bellator 258 on May 7. 💥 #Bellator258 #GP pic.twitter.com/QwkcVpCOcx
— Paradigm Sports (@ParadigmSports) March 17, 2021
Gallagher (11-1) looks to push his winning streak to five straight when he takes on former title challenger Mix. The 25-year-old has finished three of his four opponents during that span and has been training with top MMA coach James Krause at Glory MMA leading into this fight. Mix (14-1) rebounded from his loss to Juan Archuleta by submitting UFC veteran Albert Morales at Bellator 258 in May. These two do not like each other and this 135-pound scrap is pivotal for the bantamweight division.
Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler – UFC 268 – Nov. 6
The absolute BANGER potential of Michael Chandler vs Justin Gaethje is currently unmatched in the UFC. #UFC268
Source: @MikeChandlerMMA pic.twitter.com/otlzoy9nca
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) September 9, 2021
UFC 268 features a potential ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate on paper as former WSOF champion Justin Gaethje battles former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. Gaethje (22-3) hasn’t fought since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 last October. The setback snapped Gaethje’s four-fight win streak. Chandler (22-6) also looks to rebound from his last fight which saw Charles Oliveira finish him in the second round at UFC 262 for the lightweight championship. The winner of this matchup will be right back in the 155-pound title picture
Rose Namajunas vs. Weili Zhang II – UFC 268 – Nov. 6
UFC 268 this weekend.
Crazy card.
Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington 2
Rose Namajunas vs Weili Zhang
Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler #UFC268 pic.twitter.com/b50BbzpcDO— Akki (@Akkiakki1137) November 1, 2021
Following a quick finish in their first fight, we’re treated to a rematch this Saturday between champion Rose Namajunas and former titleholder Weili Zhang. Namajunas (10-4) has won five of her last six fights, with her lone blemish coming against Jessica Andrade, a fighter she later defeated in a rematch at UFC UFC 251. Zhang (21-2) is coming off her first loss in the Octagon and previously racked up a five-fight win streak since making her UFC debut in 2018. Can Zhang get her belt back or will Namajunas prove once again why she’s the best 115-pound fighter in the world?
Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington II – UFC 268 – Nov. 6
Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) promises to put Kamaru Usman to sleep at #UFC268 on Saturday! 😳🔥https://t.co/kY0U9vnaUY
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) November 1, 2021
The highly anticipated rematch for the welterweight title will come to fruition this Saturday as Kamaru Usman defends his welterweight title against Colby Covington. Usman (19-1) has looked vastly improved since their first fight, racking up three straight victories including two stoppage wins over Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal. The 34-year-old is currently riding an 18-fight win streak. Covington (16-2) rebounded from his loss to Usman at UFC 245 by defeating former champion Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night in Sept. 2020. Can Covington pull off the upset and keep the rivalry going? Or will Usman finally close this chapter of his career? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez – UFC Fight Night – Nov. 13
Good to go, per sources. Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) vs. Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) will headline UFC Fight Night on Nov. 13. Holloway agreed to the date this week. Gotta believe winner takes on the Volkanovski vs. Ortega winner from tomorrow for the belt. Heck of a main event. pic.twitter.com/I8zZreIrDg
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 24, 2021
Max Holloway looks to inch one step closer to a trilogy fight against champion Alexander Volkanovski when he meets Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night. Holloway (22-6) is coming off a dominant five-round beatdown over Calvin Kattar at UFC on ABC in January, which snapped his two-fight losing streak. Rodriguez (13-2) will be competing for the first time since Oct. 2019 as a USADA suspension and injuries have kept “El Pantera” out of the cage.