Coming Up in UFC & MMA: August Events

The UFC already had its biggest event of August transpire as UFC 265 set up a blockbuster heavyweight tilt between new Interim champion Ciryl Gane and incumbent champ Francis Ngannou. There are two more UFC events plus a heavily loaded stack of MMA events from the PFL Playoffs to Bellator to many more.

Here are the best of these events. Keep an eye out for their odds from the online sportsbook.

PFL 2021 #7: Playoffs

Date/Time: Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, FL
Broadcast: ESPN 2, ESPN+

The PFL playoffs begin with the welterweight and lightweight semifinals. Former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald (22-7-1) and Clay Collard (20-8-0) will be in action, with MacDonald headlining against Ray Cooper III (22-7-1) as likely another large favorite.

Bellator 264: Mousasi vs Salter

Date/Time: Friday, 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Broadcast: Showtime

Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2) defends his middleweight belt against John Salter (18-4-0). The “Dreamcatcher” won back his title against welterweight champion Douglas Lima and will likely be a decided favorite against Salter, winner of three straight fights.

PFL 2021 #8: Playoffs

Date/Time: Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, FL, USA
Broadcast: ESPN, ESPN+

The second day of the PFL Playoffs features the big folks. It includes the women’s lightweights, led by headliners Kayla Harrison (10-0-0) and Genah Fabian (4-1-0), and the men’s heavyweights with Bruno Henrique Cappelozza (12-5-0) taking on Jamelle Jones (12-6-0). Expect Harrison to once again be a massive betting favorite.

Bellator 265: Kongo vs Kharitonov

Date/Time: Aug. 20, 2021, 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT, USA
Broadcast: Showtime

Heavyweights go at it as Cheick Kongo (30-11-2) looks to put himself back in title contention against fellow striker Sergei Kharitonov (32-8-0). Both men have not won under Bellator in over two years, though Kharitonov has been busy boxing. The odds will be tight here with a potential lean on Kharitonov.

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Gastelum

Date/Time: Aug. 21, 2021, 6 p.m. ET
Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, NA, USA
Broadcast: ESPN+

Middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier (13-5-0) and Kelvin Gastelum (17-7-0) will throw down in a bid to challenge middleweight king Israel Adesanya. Gastelum had previously fought Adesanya in a Fight of the Year contender. He’ll be an interesting +125 underdog here despite having lost four of his last five.

PFL 2021 #9: Playoffs

Date/Time: Aug. 27, 2021, 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, FL, USA
Broadcast: ESPN 2, ESPN+

Featherweights and light heavyweights are the focus for this third and final PFL card in August. Brendan Loughnane (21-3-0) headlines against Movlid Khaybulaev (17-0-1) for the 145ers while Emiliano Sordi (23-8-1) takes on Antonio Carlos Junior (11-5-0) among the 205ers. Khaybulaev is the favorite while Sordi-Junior will be a pick’em.

UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Chikadze

Date/Time: Aug. 28, 2021, 6 p.m. ET
Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada
Broadcast: ESPN+

What a spicy featherweight treat this is. Both Edson Barboza (22-9-0) and Giga Chikadze (13-2-0) are assassins who can end fights with any part of their body. This fight will be unpredictable as the UFC odds have this lined at a pick ’em. A highlight-reel finish by either fighter puts them in the top five.

Contender Series 2021: Week 1

Date/Time: August 31, 2021, 8:00 P.M. ET
Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada
Broadcast: ESPN+

Contender Series returns and will be headlined by heavyweights Azamat Murzakanov (9-0-0) and Matheus Scheffel (14-6-0). The undefeated Murzakanov is pegged as a blue-chipper and could be steamed on the betting lines.