A feast of elite-level action awaits MMA fans this coming weekend, as a mutitude of major organizations are set to host events around the world over a three-day period.
Let's take a look at the biggest and best MMA events to look out for this week.
PFL 2025 World Tournament (Thursday)
The opening round of the 2025 world tournament takes place at Universal Studios, Florida this Thursday night, with the welterweights and featherweights taking center stage.
Two former Bellator champions will be in action in the main event, as Jason Jackson (18-5) squares off against Andrey Koreshkov. Also in the the welterweight bracket, last year's runner-up, Magomed Umalatov (17-1) takes on Logan Storley (16-3), while Mukhamed Berkhamov (17-2) faces the unbeaten Thad Jean (8-0) and former Cage Warriors champion Giannis Bachar (9-2) takes on Masayuki Kikuiri (10-2-1).
In the featherweight bracket, Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) faces Adam Borics (19-2), and Jeremy Kennedy (19-5) takes on Movid Khaybulaev (21-0-1). Irish star Nathan Kelly (11-3) will fight Tae Kyun Kim (10-1), while Gabriel Braga (15-2) will face Frederik Dupras (8-1).
Invicta FC 61 (Friday)
The grand casino Hotel in Shawnee, Oklahoma hosts the world's leading all-female promotion on Friday night. In the main event, Elisandra Ferreira (8-2) will look to make the first defense of her atomweight title when she takes on Mexican contender Ana Palacios (10-3-1).
ONE Fight Night 30 (Friday)
It's a kickboxing/Muay Thia-heavy line-up at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Friday, but there are a small handful of MMA bouts scattered throughout the card.
Unbeaten Uzbekistani star Sanzhar Zakhirov (12-0) faces a stiff test in Bokang Masunyane (10-2), while Argentine grappling phenom Macarena Aragon looks for her first promotional win when she takes on Jihin Radzuan (9-4).
Oktagon 69 (Saturday)
Czech-based promotion Oktagon continue their busy start to 2025 when they land in Dortmund, Germany on Saturday. The pick of the fights is an all-German featherweight main event between Max Holzer (10-0) and Deniz Ilbay (8-1).
Also on the card, former flyweight title challenger Aaron Aby (16-10-1) looks to return to the win column when he takes on Mohammed Walid (7-4) and grappling sensation Frederic Vosgrone (3-0) makes his promotional debut against Jorick Montagnac (8-2).
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy (Saturday)
Following the thrills and spills of the Mexican crowd last weekend, the UFC returns to it's home base at the Apex for UFC on ESPN 65 on Saturday night.
Featherweight veteran Josh Emmett (19-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) returns against unbeaten UK star Lerone Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 UFC) in the main event. The 40-year-old hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since a spectacular knockout victory over Bryece Mitchell back in December of 2016.
Stay tuned to Fighters Only for a full UFC on ESPN 65 preview later this week.
