Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping night of electrifying fights as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brings you UFC 295. This highly-anticipated event is set to take place later TONIGHT (Sat., Nov. 11, 2023) at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. Headlining the night is a battle for the vacant Light Heavyweight title between two MMA powerhouses, Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. But that's not all; the co-main event will see Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall competing for the interim Heavyweight title. The stage is set for an unforgettable night of MMA action.
The Road to UFC 295
A significant turning point in the Light Heavyweight division occurred when former champion Jon Jones vacated the title in August 2020. Since then, the division has been in chaos. Jan Blachowicz claimed the throne but lost it to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267. Teixeira's reign was short-lived as Jiri Prochazka took the belt from him at UFC 275. However, due to an injury, Prochazka had to relinquish the title, leading to the match between Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282, which ended in a draw. After rebooking and canceling fights, the belt eventually made its way to Jamahal Hill, who recently vacated it due to an ACL injury.
Now, at UFC 295, former UFC Middleweight champion Alex Pereira aims to etch his name in the record books by winning a title in a different weight class. Pereira moved up to 205 pounds and secured a razor-thin split decision victory against Blachowicz at UFC 291. On the other side of the octagon, Prochazka seeks redemption and the chance to reclaim the title he left behind a year ago. With both fighters known for their devastating striking abilities, this fight promises fireworks and potential ring rust as a wildcard.
The Full Fight Card
While the main event and co-main event steal the spotlight, the entire UFC 295 fight card offers a thrilling lineup of matchups. Let's take a closer look at what's in store:
- Jessica Andrade vs. Mackenzie Dern: Former women's Strawweight champion Andrade aims to break her three-fight losing streak against Dern, who is looking to regain her momentum.
- Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis: Frevola, riding a three-fight win streak, faces off against rising star Saint-Denis, who aims to crack the Top 15.
- Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini: Lopes, with a 1-1 UFC record, looks to make a statement against Sabatini, who has been making waves with his impressive performances.
- And many more exciting fights await you!
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The Road to Gold
The co-main event features an intense battle between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich for the interim Heavyweight title. As the number two ranked contender, Pavlovich has been on a rampage, finishing his opponents with first-round knockouts. Aspinall, known for his exceptional footwork, will need to use his agility to avoid Pavlovich's power shots and secure victory. With a win, either fighter could potentially earn a shot at the reigning champion, Jon Jones.
In the Lightweight division, Matt Frevola aims to extend his three-fight win streak against the tough Benoit Saint-Denis. Frevola's impressive technical knockout victory over Drew Dober showcased his skills, while Saint-Denis is hungry for a spot in the rankings. Expect a lively encounter as these two fighters battle for recognition in the stacked 155-pound division.
The Complete UFC 295 Fight Card
Don't miss a single moment of the action-packed UFC 295 fight card:
UFC 295 Main Event on ESPN+ PPV:
- Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic — CANCELED
- Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira for the vacant Light Heavyweight title
UFC 295 Main Card on ESPN+ PPV (10 p.m. ET):
- Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich for interim Heavyweight title
- Jessica Andrade vs. Mackenzie Dern
- Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
- Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini
UFC 295 'Prelims' Card on ESPN/ESPN+ (8 p.m. ET):
- Loopy Godinez vs. Tabatha Ricci
- Stephen Erceg vs. Alessandro Costa
- Nurullo Aliev vs. Mateusz Rebecki
- Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Nazim Sadykhov
UFC 295 Early 'Prelims' Card on ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET):
- Jared Gordon vs. Mark Madsen
- John Castaneda vs. Kyung Ho Kang
- Kevin Borjas vs. Joshua Van
- Dennis Buzukja vs. Jamall Emmers
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Excitement Level: 8/10
With thrilling title fights, rising stars, and the opportunity for fighters to solidify their positions in the rankings, UFC 295 promises to deliver an unforgettable night of MMA action. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat as these warriors enter the octagon at Madison Square Garden. The atmosphere will be electric, and the battles will be fierce. Grab your popcorn, invite your friends, and get ready to witness history in the making!
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 295 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card starts at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
*To check out the latest and greatest UFC 295: "Prochazka vs. Pereira" news and notes, be sure to visit our comprehensive event archive here.
