Getty Jorge Masvidal punches Ben Askren of the United States during their UFC 239 bout.
Don’t tell the UFC it can’t make big fights happen during the coronavirus pandemic, because UFC president Dana White confirmed a massive slate of action was on tap for May, including huge potential fights for welterweight stars Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley.
White revealed the upcoming slate of action in a video chat with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto posted to YouTube on Friday.
White Confirmed Full Cards for May 13 and May 16
White revealed the full cards for the upcoming May 13 and May 16 action, and it’s a bevy of important divisional matchups. On top of that, these two stacked cards combine with UFC 249 on May 9 to form three massively important UFC events happening in just one week.
Dana White had confirmed the main events for UFC Fight Nights on May 13 and 16.
(via @bokamotoESPN)
In the main event on May 13, light heavyweight contenders Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira will lock horns. In the co-main event, Ovince Saint Preux is making his heavyweight debut against Ben Rothwell. The rest of the card is as follows:
- Alex Hernandez vs Drew Dober
- Ricky Simon vs Ray Borg
- Karl Roberson v Marvin Vettori
- Andrei Arlovski vs Philipe Lins
- Michael Johnson vs Thiago Moises
- Sijara Eubanks vs Sarah Moras
- Hunter Azure vs Brian Kelleher
Three days later, a heavyweight showdown between Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem will take place in the main event of the May 13 card. The co-main event is a strawweight matchup between Claudia Gadelha and Carla Esparza. Here’s the rest of that card:
- Dan Ige vs Edson Barboza
- Eryk Anders vs Krzysztof Jotko
- Song Yadong vs Marlon Vera
- Anthony Hernandez vs Kevin Holland
- Mike Davis vs Giga Chikadze
- Cortney Casey vs Mara Romero Borella
- Darren Elkins vs Nate Landwehr
- Rodrigo Nascimento vs Don’Tale Mayes
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Woodley and Masvidal Also Part of UFC’s Bold Plan
Additionally, White revealed some pretty big news regarding welterweight stars Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley.
First, White told Okamoto that the company was currently looking at “something else” for Masvidal instead of the BMF champ’s assumed title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman coming next.
Something interesting, eh? 🤔 (via @bokamotoESPN)
Next, White revealed that Tyron Woodley would likely be headlining the UFC Fight Night card scheduled for May 23. Woodley, of course, is also a welterweight and the 170-pound division’s former champion.
Might Masvidal vs. Woodley be coming down the pipe on May 23?
If so, it’s certainly going to be quite the month of May to remember for UFC fight fans.
Heck, even if that’s not the case, the UFC’s big and bold plan for May is at least going to help fight fans across the world take their minds off the COVID-19 pandemic.
Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns?
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani revealed shortly after this story was published that Woodley’s May 23 opponent would likely be Gilbert Burns.
Spoke to Tyron Woodley today. He said he’s leaning towards accepting a main event fight against Gilbert Burns on May 23. Fight isn’t signed yet but it’s looking good at the moment, he said. “I waited as long I could for Colby,” he said. “But he doesn’t want it, so I’m moving on.”
Woodley does seem interested in facing former interim champ Colby Covington, but it appears there’s some sort of snag that’s keeping that fight from happening.
So Woodley vs. Burns is also an option for May 23, and it’s also a huge fight at 170 pounds.
It sure looks like May is going to be a fun month for MMA fans.
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Twitter: @Kelsey_McCarson