Weekend Preview: UFC in Pittsburgh, Hardrock MMA, IT Fight Series
UFC Fight Night 116
It’s a jam-packed weekend in the Ohio Valley, with a trio of events going on in three different states, including the UFC’s return to Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
UFC Fight Night 116
The UFC returns to Pittsburgh on Saturday night for the second time in as many years, as UFC Fight Night 116 goes down at PPG Paints Arena and airs live on Fox Sports 1. The main event features a pivotal middleweight bout, as former UFC champion Luke Rockhold takes on former World Series of Fighting light heavyweight and middleweight champion David Branch.
In the co-main event, Alex Reyes steps up on super short notice to face Mike Perry in a welterweight bout. Other notables include former Bellator champion Hector Lombard, and fast-rising welterweight Kamaru Usman.
Also, Philadelphia native Paul Felder will make his debut in the commentary booth for this event.
Hardrock MMA 92
Hardrock MMA 92 goes down in Shepherdsville on Saturday night and is anchored by a trio of pro bouts, as well as a pair of amateur title fights. In the headliner, Lance Lawrence (3-0) looks to remain unbeaten against Ohio’s Marc McDonald (3-3).
In the two other pro bouts, Ruben Warr (7-8) will face unbeaten Tennessee native Jacob Kilburn (3-0), while Ian Lawler (3-3) and Branden Bishop (2-3) will finally square off after their bout was cancelled in July.
The Agnew brothers will also both be in title action, as Kegan Agnew (9-3) defends his lightweight title in a rematch against Nick Maupin (5-5), while Gavin Agnew (8-4) battles Alex Hacker (4-2) for the vacant welterweight crown.
Check out more on this fight card, including the full card, here. Make your picks on Tapology here.
IT Fight Series 76
Despite dealing with a last-minute venue change, IT Fight Series 76 will go down this weekend in North Olmsted, Ohio. The main event features fast-rising Strong Style Fight Team product Kenny Locsei (3-1) taking on Michigan’s Michael Taylor (1-1) in a featherweight bout.
Also on tap is the pro debut of another Strong Style product, as Aleksa Camur (0-0) makes the jump to face Randy Tran (1-1) in a light heavyweight bout. In keeping with the Strong Style theme, former Cleveland State wrestler Ben Willeford (4-0) will take on former Notre Dame College and Evolve MMA product Brian Hauser (6-1) for the promotion’s flyweight title.
Check out more on IT Fight Series 76, including the full card, here. Make your picks on Tapology here.
Elsewhere
CFFC 67 takes place in Philadelphia on Saturday night, and is headlined by a featherweight title bout featuring Pat Sabbatini vs. Pittsburgh’s John De Jesus. West Virginia’s Chris McKinney will also compete against Jack Hartensine in a bantamweight bout. You can stream the event on the promotion’s website for $24.99.
Ring of Combat 60 goes down in Atlantic City on Saturday night. Five titles will be on the line at this event, including a matchup of unbeaten bantamweights Alexander Keshtov and James Quigg. MyMMANews.com did a full breakdown of this event, which you can read here. A stream of the event will be available via WatchROC.com.
ONE Championship 61 goes down in Indonesia on Saturday morning, with Kazhakstan’s Kairat Akhmetov facing Filipino Geje Eustaquio in the flyweight main event. You can watch the event via iPPV on the promotion’s official website for just $9.99.
Cage Warriors 86 goes down in London on Saturday and airs live on UFC Fight Pass. In the main event, Nataniel Wood and Josh Reed square off for the promotion’s bantamweight title.
