The UFC returns to Brisbane this weekend to showcase the best of local and international talent with 12 exciting fights on offer.
The card is headlined by a heavyweight bout between top contenders Mark Hunt and Frank Mir.
Hunt is coming off an impressive knock out victory over Antonio Silva at UFC 193 and will be looking to get back into title contention with a decisive showing against the former heavyweight champion.
Mir had his best year inside the Octagon for some time in 2015 stringing together victories over Todd Duffee and Antonio Silva, both of which resulted in Performance of the Night Bonuses. His only loss last year came against the sixth ranked Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision.
This fight has all the makings of a classic war between two seasoned veterans who love to finish fights.
In the co-main event we have an explosive welterweight fight between Hector Lombard and Neil Magny.
Lombard is making his comeback after a 12 month lay off due to testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. The American Top Team fighter will be keen to make up for lost time with a win over the highly touted Magny who has been on a tear since making his debut in 2013.
Magny is one of the most active, and exciting fighters, on the UFC’s roster having racked up 13 fights inside the Octagon and three bonus worthy performances. He is currently on two-fight win streak.
Jake Matthews will be looking to stake his claim as the best young talent in the lightweight division when he fights top prospect, Johnny Case.
At the ripe old age of 26, Case has just as many professional fights under his belt as he does years on earth and is currently riding a 12 fight win streak, four of which have come inside the Octagon. He poses the biggest challenge of Matthews’ career but also the biggest opportunity.
Matthews is 10-1 with his only loss coming last year in Adelaide against James Vick. The Melbournian sought redemption at UFC 193 in November and received it after stopping Akbarh Arreola in the second round in a massive comeback victory.
Both of these young guys are extremely well rounded, technical, thrilling fighters. Expect to see nothing left in the Octagon when these two clash.
Bec Rawlings will also make her Octagon return after close to a year on the sidelines with an injury. Her opponent Seo Hee Ham is coming off a Fight of the Night performance against Cortney Casey. What Ham lacks in height she makes up for in sheer volume and output. This should make for a fun scrappy fight between two warrior women!
For the full schedule of activities see below. All times listed are local (AEST).
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING:
Shafston Hotel
3 Lytton Road, East Brisbane
Details:
Friday
6pm – 7:30pm
Guests:
Robert Whittaker
Miesha Tate
Dennis Bermudez
UFC FIGHT NIGHT WEIGH-INS:
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Melaleuca Dr, Boondall
Details:
Saturday
7:30 a.m. – Doors open to the public
8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. – Weigh-ins
9:15 a.m. – Q&A with Miesha Tate, Robert Whittaker and Dennis Bermudez
* LIVE ON UFC.com & YouTube.com/UFC
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HUNT vs. MIR:
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Melaleuca Dr, Boondall
*Schedule is subject to change
Sunday
7:30 a.m. – Doors open to the public
8:30 a.m. – UFC Fight Pass
- Ross Pearson vs Chad Laprise
- Leslie Smith vs Rin Nakai
- Daniel Hooker vs Mark Eddiva
10:00 a.m. – Prelims begin (FOX Sports)
- Brendan O’Reilly vs Alan Jouban
- Richie Walsh vs Viscardi Andrade
- Alan Patrick vs Damien Brown
12:00 p.m. – Main card begins (FOX Sports)
- Mark Hunt vs Frank Mir
- Hector Lombard vs Neil Magny
- Jake Matthews vs Johnny Case
- Daniel Kelly vs Antonio Carlos Junior
- James Te Huna vs Steve Bosse
- Bec Rawlings vs Seohee Ham
3:00 p.m. (Approx.) – Main card concludes
