March UFC/MMA Preview: UFC Coming Strong With Two Pay-Per-View Events

UFC 285: Jones vs Gane

• Date: Saturday, March 4
• Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
• Broadcast: Pay-Per-view, ESPN, ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass

Kicking off the month is the biggest and baddest event as Jon Jones, the “GOAT”, returns. He’ll look to claim the vacant heavyweight belt as he takes on the former interim champ Ciryl Gane. The UFC betting lines favor Jones in a long and difficult battle favored going over 4½ rounds.

And in the co-main event is long-reigning flyweight champion Valentin Shevchenko defending against Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko is a sizable favorite yet again while Grasso makes history as the first Mexican female fighter to challenge for a title.

Bellator 292: Nurmagomedov vs Henderson

• Date: Friday, March 10
• Venue: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
• Broadcasts: Showtime, YouTube

The Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix begins headlined by a title bout between Usman Nurmagomedov and former UFC champion Benson Henderson. With the promotion’s return to San Jose, it is one of its most stacked cards that also features the likes of Valentin Moldavsky and Michael “Venom” Page.

LFA 154: Fernando vs Silva

• Date: Friday, March 10
• Venue: Cajamar, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass

The LFA returns to Brazil with local favorites Lucas Fernando taking on Jansey Silva for the vacant 185-pound strap. Fernando should be favored when the online sports betting lines release as he’s unbeaten in LFA (3-0).

UFC Fight Night: Yan vs Dvalishvili

• Date: Saturday, March 11
• Venue: The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, NV
• Broadcast: ESPN+

Russians feature in this UFC Fight Night led by former bantamweight champion Petr Yan in the main event. He is favored to beat the surging Merab Dvalishvili who will surely test his grappling skills. A title shot could be on the line in this bout.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan in the works as UFC Fight Night 221 headliner at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on March 11th. pic.twitter.com/Bt2BJJjvh6

— MMA UNCENSORED ™️ (@MMAUNCENSORED1) January 18, 2023

Invicta FC 52: Machado vs McCormack

• Date: Wednesday, March 15
• Venue: Reelworks Denver, Denver, CO
• Broadcasts: YouTube

Valesca Machado defends her strawweight belt against Irish prospect Danni McCormack. Since losing her Contenders Series bout, Machado has rattled off four straight wins (including one in grappling). She should be the moderate favorite when the lines open.

BKFC 38: Nguyen vs Straus

• Date: Friday, March 17
• Venue: Delray Beach, FL
• Broadcast: FITE TV

Also making a return is former BKFC Bantamweight Champion Dat Nguyen. He takes on former Bellator champion Daniel Straus who makes his bare-knuckle boxing debut. The odds should favor Nguyen.

UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3

• Date: Saturday, March 18
• Venue: O2 Arena, London, England
• Broadcast: Pay-Per-view, ESPN, ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass

The trilogy bout between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman could be one of the biggest events. How do you follow up on one of the greatest comeback stories? Despite the champion’s knockout win, he will be the underdog against Usman (though not as big) yet again.

Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman by KO (head kick) at 4:04 of Round 5

One of the craziest KO’s in @ufc history! #UFC278 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jVSRfTQxKI

— Las Vegas Chronicle (@LVChronicle) August 21, 2022

And in the co-main event is a battle of lightweight knockout artists as two-time title challenger Justin Gaethje fights Rafael Fiziev. The latter is moderately favored and has won six straight fights.

ONE Fight Night 8: Bhullar vs Malykhin

• Date: Friday, March 24
• Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
• Broadcasts: Amazon Prime

Arjan Bhullar returns to defend his heavyweight title against the unbeaten beast that is Anatoly Malykhin. The challenger should be widely favored by folks betting online here. Meanwhile, the co-main event features a Muay Thai championship bout between ONE’s best strawweights in Janet Todd and Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.

LFA 155: Do Nascimento vs Hodge

• Date: Friday, March 24
• Venue: Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls, NY
• Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass

The interim bantamweight belt is on the line when Rafael do Nascimento defends against Jerrell Hodge. Early predictions have Do Nascimento finishing Hodge as he books a unification bout with Muin “Tajik” Gafurov.

UFC Fight Night: Vera vs Sandhagen

• Date: Saturday, March 25
• Venue: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
• Broadcasts: ESPN

Originally scheduled for February, Marlon Vera now meets Cory Sandhagen in a bigger venue on the main ESPN network. The odds are tight though Vera should be an underdog yet again. The Ecuadorian has been one of the best UFC bets a sa dog with a 4-4 record. Former champion Holly Holm makes her return in the co-main event.

Bellator 293: Golm vs James

• Date: Friday, March 31
• Venue: Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA
• Broadcasts: Showtime, YouTube

Red-hot heavyweight contenders collide for this second offering from Bellator. The betting odds could be close with this fight expected to go either way. Former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano also fights Leah McCourt in what should be an audition to face Cris “Cyborg” Justino next.