Boxing
Two Brits to Be Main Card Features of Thrilling UFC Fight Nights in Las Vegas this Spring
The UFC has truly become a global sporting competition, hosting major events around the world and welcoming any and all nationalities to compete in the octagon. Such openness has created a devout fan base in several countries, including the UK. Soon, a couple of British veterans will be coaxing many into some late-night viewing.
Allure of Las Vegas Never Relents
Las Vegas may be over 5,200 miles from London, but Brits continue to see it as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” that it proclaims to be. Obviously, it’s best known for its casinos, and because of its prominence, many British sites look to emulate the Sin City experience to increase the appeal to local players.
This has helped to create a bustling space for casino offers, where players can get free spins and jackpot chances on the house. Signing up lands 50 free spins, and then a £10 deposit gets another 50 free spins. Plus, account holders get a shot at the Prize Pinball Jackpot without charge.
It’s all very Vegas-like, helping to keep the city prominently poised in the minds of British fight fans. So, whenever the UFC returns to its home in Nevada, you can bet that plenty of Brits are tuning in, regardless of who’s atop the bill. It just so happens that a couple of Fight Nights coming up this spring have some home favorites.
Grant and Allen Battling on the Main Cards
On the evening of Saturday, April 27, UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal will bring the UFC back to Las Vegas for a stacked card of potentially very influential bouts. The women’s bantamweight battle between Norma Dumont and Joselyne Edwards has a lot on the line for rankings, and Montel Jackson will feature to try to climb into the top ten in men’s bantamweight.
At the top of the bill is Aljamain Sterling against Youssef Zalal. The American “Funk Master” impressed at UFC London in December 2024, but ultimately lost to the judges’ cards. He beat Brian Ortega in his comeback fight, and now looks to get back into title contention with a win over Morocco’s Zalal, who’s on a five-fight winning streak.
Just before Sterling comes rumbling out, we’ll see Bishop Auckland native Davey Grant try to get back to winning ways. Last time out, he lost by submission in the first to Charles Jourdain. Now 4-2 in his last six fights, the 39-year-old will trade blows with Juan Martinetti in the Ecuadorian’s first fight since breaking out of the Contender Series.
A couple of weeks later, when the UFC returns to Las Vegas on May 17, Brits will get to see a card topped by Englishman Arnold Allen. Ranked eighth in featherweight, “Almighty” Arnold needs to bounce back from his UD loss to Jean Silva at the end of January to reassert himself in the division.
To do so, he’ll fight 12th-ranked Melquizael Costa, who hasn’t lost on a UFC card since December 2023 on what’s now a six-fight win streak. Also of interest on the card will be light heavyweight Londoner Tuco Tokkos battling Ivan Erslan, as well as Shauna Bannon of Ireland fighting Nicolle Caliari from Brazil just before the headline bout.
Brits will be looking to set some early alarms or tank it through the night on April 27 and May 17 to see some homegrown veterans of the sport try to get back into title shot conversations.
