MMA Monthly Schedule: April 2023
Every big MMA event you have to tune in to this April.
The sport of MMA is one that never rests. Whilst other top sport such as football, soccer, basketball, and baseball work around a season schedule, the vast amount of MMA promotions all around the world ensures that there isn't a single weekend off in combat sports.
Many MMA fans are quick to complain when the UFC's pay-per-view isn't stacked or when they take a break for a week. I'm here to tell you that the UFC isn't the be-all, end-all for mixed martial arts and that you can basically go the entire month with something to watch. The remainder of the month might not host another UFC pay-per-view but fear not, below you'll find all the information you need for the biggest events of April.
Let's begin with what's happening this weekend.
The biggest MMA fights in April 2023
PFL 3
What: This season's third PFL event, wrapping up the first round of competition. Lightweights and welterweights get the chance to pick up their first points of the 2023 season.
When: Friday, April 14
Where: The Theater at the Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, NV
Time: Main card starts at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m PT. Prelims start at 9:30 p.m ET / 7:30 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Shane Burgos. Sibadou Sy vs. Jarrah Al-Salwani
How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
LFA 156: Fuller vs. Waters
What: Jalin Fuller and Trey Waters meet in the main event with the vacant LFA welterweight championship on the line
When: Friday, April 14
Where: Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, SD
Time: 9 p.m ET / 6 p.m PT.
Biggest fight(s): Jalin Fuller vs. Trey Waters for the vacant LFA welterweight title
How to watch: UFC Fight Pass
Cage Warriors 152: Manchester
What: Cage Warriors 152 brings us a massive title fight between lightweight champion George Hardwick and Yann Liasse with the belt on the line.
When: Saturday, April 15
Where: BEC Arena, Manchester, England
Time: 1 p.m ET / 10 a.m PT
Biggest fight(s): George Hardwick vs. Yann Liasses for the CW lightweight title
How to watch: UFC Fight Pass
UFC Kansas City
What: The UFC's return to Kansas City for just their second show ever in the city pits Max Holloway against Arnold Allen in the main event.
When: Saturday, April 15
Where: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Time: Prelims begin at 5:30 p.m ET / 2:30 p.m PT. Main card begins at 8:30 p.m ET / 5:30 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen. Edson Barboza vs. Billi Quarantillo.
How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
Bellator 294: Carmouche vs. Bennett 2
What: Liz Carmouche and DeAnna Bennett meet for a second time but this time for Carmouche's flyweight title on the line.
When: Friday, April 21
Where: Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, HI
Time: Prelims begin at 8 p.m ET / 5 p.m PT. Main card begins at 10 p.m ET / 7 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Liz Carmouche vs. DeAnna Bennett 2 for the Bellator women's flyweight title
How to watch: Prelims on YouTube. Main card on Showtime.
ONE Fight Night 9: Nong-O vs. Haggerty
What: Bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O looks to defend his title for an eight time agaisnt Muay Thai legend Jonathan Haggerty.
When: Friday, April 21
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium Arena, Singapore
Time: 8 p.m ET / 5 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Nong-O vs. Jonathan Haggerty for ONE's Muay Thai bantamweight world title
How to watch: Amazon Prime
LFA 157: Croden vs. Cavalcanti
What: Melissa Croden and Jacqueline Cavalcanti battle it out for the vacant women's bantamweight championship.
When: Friday, April 21
Where: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, MN
Time: 9 p.m ET / 6 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Melissa Croden vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti for the vacant LFA women's bantamweight championship.
How to watch: UFC Fight Pass
KSW 81: Bartonsińki vs. Szczepaniak
What: KSW's vacant welterweight title is on the line between Adrian Bartonsińki and Artur Szczepaniak.
When: Saturday, April 22
Where: Arena Lodowa, Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland
Time: 1 p.m ET / 10 a.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Adrian Bartonsińki vs. Artur Szczepaniak for the vacant KSW welterweight title.
How to watch: Buy the pay-per-view on KSW's website
UFC Vegas 71: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes
What: A heavyweight title eliminator between the no. 3 ranked Sergei Pavlovich against the no.4 ranked Curtis Blaydes.
When: Saturday, April 22
Where: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, NV
Time: Prelims begin at 4 p.m ET / 1 p.m PT. Main card begins at 7 p.m ET / 4 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Sergei Pavlovich vs. Curtis Blaydes. Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simón. Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon.
How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
Bellator 295: Stots vs. Mix
What: The conclusion of the Bellator bantamweight world grand prix between interim champion Raufeon Stots and Patchy Mix, with the winner having a guaranteed shot at the belt.
When: Saturday, April 22
Where: Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, HI
Time: Prelims begin at 7 p.m ET / 4 p.m PT. Main card begins at 10 p.m ET / 7 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Raufeon Stots vs. Patchy Mix for the Bellator bantamweight grand prix title. Ray Borg vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
How to watch: Prelims on YouTube. Main card on Showtime.
Cage Warriors 153: Dublin
What: A title unification bout between CW welterweight champion Rhys McKee against interim champion Jim Wallhead headline the Dublin card.
When: Saturday, April 29
Where: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Time: 4 p.m ET / 1 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): Rhys McKee vs. Jim Wallhead to unify the Cage Warriors' welterweight title.
How to watch: UFC Fight Pass
UFC Vegas 72
What: This event was supposed to be headlined by Arman Tsarukyan and Renato Moicano before Moicano pulled out due to injury. It is unknown whether the event will still go through or not.
When: Saturday, April 29
Where: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, NV
Time: Prelims begin at 4 p.m ET / 1 p.m PT. Main card begins at 7 p.m ET / 4 p.m PT
Biggest fight(s): TBD.
How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
Rizin FF: Landmark Volume 5
What: Rizin returns to the Yoyogi National Stadium!
When: Sunday, April 30
Where: Yoyogi National Stadium, Shibuya, Japan
Time: 12 a.m ET / 9 p.m PT (Saturday)
Biggest fight(s): Juntarou Ushiku vs. Mikuru Asakura
How to watch: Buy the pay-per-view on FITE.tv.
Next. What’s the difference between MMA and UFC?. dark