The most anticipated MMA fights of 2023 and how to bet on them
With the second quarter of 2023 set to role into town, a host of mixed martial arts fights are slated to come to fruition in the coming months ahead of summer.
A slew of former champions and sport icons, as well as returning stars are set to make their comebacks to active competition – including former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor, who has been pegged to fight this annum – while new heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones is earmarked for a July title outing.
Below, catch three of the most anticipated mixed martial arts fights this year – and find out how to bet and place wagers on them.
Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya II
Just over three weeks away; an undisputed middleweight title fight rematch between Brazilian knockout supreme, Alex Pereira, and former division best, Israel Adesanya – who take curtain closing honors at UFC 287 on April 7. in Miami, Florida.
Rekindling their rivalry following a November title matchup last year, Adesanya, the-then-undisputed middleweight champion dropped his crown in a spectacular fifth round knockout defeat to Pereira – with the Sao Paulo striker once more getting the better of the City Kickboxing staple. The former GLORY Kickboxing two-weight champion, notoriously holds two victories over Adesanya during their respective tenures inside the squared circle.
If you’re willing to wager on next month’s middleweight re-run, a host of low minimum deposit casinos to bet with can be found across many markets and bookies, including online marketplaces.
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
While yet to be officially inked by the organization – a heavyweight championship fight between recently minted division champion, Jon Jones, and former two-time titleholder, Stipe Miocic seems to be in the works for UFC 290 during International Fight Week in July.
Snapping a three-year Octagon hiatus at UFC 285 earlier this month, former two-time light heavyweight champion, Jones, managed to clinch the vacant heavyweight title with a stunning first round submission win over Ciryl Gane – latching onto a guillotine choke.
Himself sidelined for the last two-years plus, Miocic is expected to challenge Jones for gold this summer, attempting to rebound from a 2021 knockout loss to former champion, Francis Ngannou at the UFC Apex facility.
During his time under the UFC banner, Miocic twice minted himself as the heavyweight champion – with knockout triumphs over both Fabricio Werdum, and Daniel Cormier.
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
Wrapping up filming for The Ultimate Fighter 31 earlier this month, former two-weight UFC titleholder, Conor McGregor is expected to fight current #5 ranked lightweight contender, Michael Chandler later this year – potentially as soon as September.
Yet to fight since July 2021, Crumlin native, McGregor fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat to former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier.
As for Chandler, the Missouri native also suffered his most recent professional loss against common-opposition, Poirier, back in November of last year at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden – in the form of a third round submission loss courtesy of a rear-naked choke in New York City.
