5 biggest UFC fights to look forward to in April 2023
Across two massive pay-per-views and two Fight Nights, the UFC delivered another month of scorching MMA action in March 2023, concluding an eventful first quarter for the promotion.
Fans are in for another action-packed month of MMA action in April, with the UFC 287 pay-per-view set to go down next weekend, followed by three Fight Nights.
A BIG month of fights on the way ๐ฅ
And it all starts with #UFC287 next Saturday! https://t.co/luLHh5zLw8
While the biggest fight of the month is undoubtedly the UFC 287 headliner between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, there are a number of pivotal matchups to look forward to in April.
On that note, here are the five biggest UFC fights to look forward to in April 2023.
#5. Arman Tsarukyan vs. Renato Moicano
The final UFC event of the month will be underway at the promotion's Apex facility in Las Vegas, where ranked lightweights Arman Tsarukyan and Renato Moicano will clash in the main event.
Closing out April with a ๐ฉ๐จ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฌ๐น at 155 ๐ฅ
@ArmanUFC faces @MoicanoUFC on April 29th! https://t.co/hGHtvAkIWz
Arman Tsarukyan is widely considered the divisional dark horse at 155 pounds. Still just 26, the Armenian-Russian has emerged as a real threat to the lightweight title, with his only losses in the octagon coming against current champion Islam Makhachev on his debut and a razor-close decision against Mateusz Gamrot.
Tsarukyan occupies the No.8 spot in the rankings, five places ahead of his next opponent Renato Moicano, who has enjoyed a career resurgence since moving to the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Brazilian has been with the UFC since 2014 and is now blossoming as a 155-pound contender on the rise.
Both fighters are very well-rounded, which should make for an interesting and competitive bout. For Moicano, this is a chance to break into the top 10, and for Tsarukyan, adding a relatively big name to his rรฉsumรฉ further bolsters his championship aspirations.
#5. Sergei Pavlovich vs. Curtis Blaydes
The penultimate UFC Fight Night in April will also take place at the UFC Apex and will be headlined by a high stakes heavyweight showdown between Curtis Blaydes and Sergei Pavlovich, with a shot at the undisputed title potentially on the line.
Top-5 heavyweights are set to take center stage ๐
UFC is finalizing a heavyweight matchup between Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes to headline an event on April 22, multiple sources told @bokamotoESPN. https://t.co/7ZFmVPCLQV
Both top-ranked heavyweights already have a case for a title shot. Curtis Blaydes has lost just one of his last eight fights, while Sergei Pavlovich is riding a scorching five-fight win streak, all finishes. They hold the No.4 and No.3 spots respectively in the rankings and the victor will clearly be next in line for the belt.
Newly-crowned heavyweight king Jon Jones is set to take on former champion Stipe Miocic in a blockbuster clash this summer. With both fighters being in the latter stages of their professional careers, they have teased the idea of retirement on occasion as well.
Nevertheless, Blaydes and Pavlovich have it all to play for later this month. Whether it's a shot at the winner of Jones vs. Miocic, or a vacant title, the winner here will certainly be in the mix.
#5. Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal
The co-main event of the upcoming pay-per-view in Miami, Florida, pits one of the biggest stars in the UFC, Jorge Masvidal, against fellow fan favorite Gilbert Burns in a crucial welterweight clash for both fighters' careers. Both Masvidal and Burns are veterans of the game and are on the hunt for one last shot at gold.
The UFC 287 co-main event will be a battle between top welterweights Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal ๐ฅ https://t.co/cEDj8tBYGp
Jorge Masvidal is on the worst run of his professional career, but has only lost to the best in the sport. 'Gamebred' hasn't won a fight since going 3-0 back in 2019, with two losses to Kamaru Usman and a devastating defeat to bitter rival Colby Covington being his last three octagon appearances. Yet somehow, he's still in with a shot at hijaking a title shot.
Masvidal has history with current welterweight king Leon Edwards, but his No.11 spot in the rankings and recent run of results doesn't warrant a championship opportunity. A win over No.5-ranked Gilbert Burns is the perfect way to make a statement, but it won't come easy.
Burns represents the cream of the crop at 170 pounds. 'Durinho' has never backed down from a challenge and always puts on fantastic fights, which has seen his stock reach new heights over the last two years. The Brazilian is eager to earn another shot at gold and putting away a cult hero like Masvidal would certainly do wonders for his trajectory.
With both fighters being over 35, their time at the top is nearing its end, making this a career-changing and potentially career-making matchup.
#5. Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen
Max Holloway has never shied away from a tough matchup, and in doing so, has compiled a stellar rรฉsumรฉ comprising a litany of world-class fighters and future Hall of Famers. The Hawaiian endured a heartbreaking loss in his last outing and will look to return to winning ways when he takes on surging Brit Arnold Allen next.
The featherweight duo will headline the UFC's return to Kansas City, where fans will be in for a cracker of a main event.
Triple A heading to #UFCKansasCity! ๐ฌ๐งโ๏ธ๐บ๐ธ
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Max Holloway suffered his third defeat to Alexander Volkanovski last year, effectively ending his title aspirations for as long as the Australian remains the champion. Some speculated that a move up to lightweight would be next for 'Blessed', but he has admirably chosen to remain at 145 pounds.
Holloway is certainly in for a tough fight against Arnold Allen, who has never tasted defeat in the UFC. The 29-year-old Englishman is on a 12-fight win streak, with his solitary career loss coming way back in 2014. 'Almighty' sports an impressive 19-1 record, but injuries, inactivity, and his softspoken nature haven't really seen him break through with the masses.
A win over a fan-favorite like Holloway will certainly get the fans to take notice and all but guarantees a title shot. With featherweight champion Volkanovski set to defend his title against Yair Rodriguez later this year, Allen could seal his place in the next 145-pound title fight with a win later this month.
On the flipside, this is a do-or-die matchup for Holloway's goals in the featherweight division, and he couldn't have picked a tougher opponent.
#1. Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 โ UFC middleweight title fight
Former kickboxing foes and top UFC middleweights Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya will lock horns in the fourth chapter of their rivalry in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami, Florida, on April 8.
Adesanya is looking to re-claim his title and avenge his three prior losses to his boogeyman, 'Poatan', across two combat sports.
Alex Pereira holds two wins over Israel Adesanya in kickboxing, a controversial decision and a devastating knockout. As Adesanya carved out a legacy for himself in MMA, Pereira went on to become a two-division champion in GLORY before transitioning to MMA.
With just three wins in the UFC, Pereira was handed a title shot last year and pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat, finishing Adesanya in the final round of their championship clash. Considering 'The Last Stylebender's prior accomplishments inside the octagon, an immediate rematch was inevitable.
Adesanya can't afford to go 0-4 against Pereira across combat sports, and it certainly puts a stain on his legacy, just as Alexander Volkanovski did to Max Holloway. As the former middleweight champion admits, this is his "last shot," so expect fireworks in Miami this Saturday.
The stakes have never been higher for Izzy than at #UFC287 ๐ https://t.co/P4FH4uJtqS