UFC Announces 5 Huge Fights for August-September Schedule
Exciting news awaits UFC fans as the promotion has unveiled a series of thrilling matchups set to take place in the latter part of 2023. Here's a comprehensive rundown of everything you need to know.
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The matchups are as follows (in order of date):
- #9 Giga Chikadze vs. #15 Alex Caceres - Featherweight - August 26 (per Marcel Dorff)
- Daniel Rodriguez vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio - Welterweight - Sept 16 (per Marcel Dorff)
- #6 Rafael Fiziev vs. #7 Mateusz Gamrot - Lightweight - Sept 23 (per Brett Okamoto)
- #12 Bryce Mitchell vs. #13 Dan Ige - Featherweight - Sept 23 (per Brett Okamoto)
- #14 Edson Barboza vs. #11 Sodiq Yusuf - Featherweight - In the works for Oct 14 (per Mike Bohn)
Giga Chikadze is set to make his long-awaited return to the octagon after a lengthy layoff since his defeat to Calvin Kattar in January 2022. The announcement comes just days after the Georgian fighter teased his return in a Tweet on July 22.
His opponent is no easy task, Alex Caceres has been in the UFC for well over a decade and has danced with some of the best fighters to pass through the promotion. Caceres is currently going through a career resurgence with eight victories in his last 10 outings. A victory for "Bruce Leeroy" will certainly propel him into the top ranks.
It's do-or-die for welterweight fighter Daniel Rodriguez, who hopes to end a two-fight skid against the grizzled UFC veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio. "D-Rod" has suffered two finishes in a row against Neil Magny and Ian Garry, and it doesn't get any easier against the savvy Ponzinibbio.
Despite his rocky record since returning in 2021, the "Argentine Dagger" is still game as ever. Ponzinibbio is six and four in his last 10, with two of those losses being split decisions to game opposition. Let's see if this welterweight staple can make a statement come September 16.
It's striker vs. grappler on September 23 as Rafael Fiziev is set to face Mateusz Gamrot. A winner here is sure to find themselves in title contention.
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On the same night as Fiziev vs. Gamrot, grappling ace Bryce Mitchell should clash with Dan Ige. A powerhouse at 145 Lbs., Ige has recovered from a slew of losses with a two-fight win-streak. Mitchell also returns from his first career loss, this bout will be a great litmus test to see if Mitchell really belongs with the elite at featherweight.
A striker's dream. Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff is in the works for a UFC Fight Night on October 14. Barboza returned to form with a devastating knockout over Billy Quarantillo in April, and Yusuff is ready to break into the top-10, wielding an impressive two-fight win streak.
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