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Fight Calendar: September 2021

Let's look at the best of the cards scheduled for September 2021 in Boxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), the most notable fights on them, and who the favorites are.


Boxing

September 4th: Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington

Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington

After over a year of inactivity and vacating his world (IBF) title, now former world champion, but still undefeated, Josh Warrington (30W-1L-0D) returned to the ring this February and faced a relatively unknown 22-year-old prospect from Mexico, Mauricio Lara (22W-2L-0D). Lara TKO'd Warrington in the 9th round. The fight could have been stopped in the first couple of rounds after a hard knockdown, but the referee decided to allow the bout to continue. Josh probably took much more damage that night than he should have, but such is the heart and determination of a champion.

This September they lock horns again, and Josh will be looking to avenge the loss. Mauricio, on the other hand, will do his best to show that it was skill and power that brought him his February victory, and not luck.

HOW TO WATCH: Live on DAZN on Saturday, September 4 at 07:00 p.m. BST.

September 11th: Oscar De La Hoya vs. Vitor Belfort

Oscar De La Hoya vs Vitor Belfort

At the age of 48 and 13 years into retirement, the boxing legend, the 'Golden Boy', Oscar De La Hoya, returns to the ring. On September 11th, he will face the MMA veteran, Vitor Belfort, in an exhibition boxing match at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, CA.

Vitor Belfort is four years younger than De La Hoya, his last MMA fight was just three years ago, and he is considerably bigger than Oscar. Oscar, on the other hand, is a high-level boxer who lost a majority decision to the pound-for-pound greatest of all time, Floyd 'Money' Mayweather.

HOW TO WATCH: Live on FITE (Triller Fight Club) on Saturday, September 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

September 25th: Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Finally, we end the September Boxing calendar with a world championship fight in the heavyweight division.

After postponing the fight many times, Anthony Joshua (24W-1L-0D) will defend his belts against his mandatory challenger, Oleksandr Usyk (18W-0L-0D).
Usyk was an undisputed cruiserweight champion who transitioned into the heavyweight division just two fights ago. The undisputed crown gave him the right to directly challenge the champion at heavyweight.

After the unification fight for the undisputed title between AJ and Tyson Fury fell through (after Deontay Wilder secured the right for a third fight with Fury), AJ was forced to either vacate a belt or fight Usyk to defend his titles.

This is an interesting match-up for many reasons. Speed of movement should be on the side of Usyk, but punching power and maybe even punching speed is going to favor AJ. AJ has also fought a higher-level of opposition in the pro ranks, but he tasted defeat for the first time not too long ago, while his Ukrainian foe is still undefeated.

HOW TO WATCH: Live on DAZN on Saturday, September 25th at 10:00 p.m. BST. 

MMA

September 25th: UFC 266 (MMA) Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega

The main event of UFC #266 features 5 rounds of action between UFC Featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski (22W-1L-0D), and #2 ranked contender, Brian Ortega (15W-1L-0D).

While both fighters have suffered just one loss in their MMA careers, Volkanovski's defeat was eight years and he is currently on a 9-win streak. Brian's loss came recently against an opponent who Alexander just defeated twice, Max Holloway.

The standing game advantage belongs to Volkanovski with his pro-striking style of fighting. The ground game should slightly favor Ortega, as he is a black belt in BJJ. However, Volkanovski is a brown belt himself and has so far performed almost flawlessly against grapplers, so this will be an interesting match-up to watch.

HOW TO WATCH: Live on ESPN/ESPN+ on Saturday, September 25 at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.

September 25th: UFC 266: Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler

Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler

On the undercard of UFC #266, the one and only, the legend, Nick Diaz (26W-9L-0D), returns to the sport of MMA. He makes his comeback against an opponent he has faced (and defeated) early in his career, Robbie Lawler (28W-15L-0D).

Nick Diaz has a seemingly endless gas tank--he is an ultra marathon runner. Against Lawler, his biggest advantage comes on the ground. Nick is a third degree black belt in BJJ.

Robbie Lawler started training in martial arts as a child. He explored Taekowndo and Karate, and was a wrestler in high school.

On paper, Nick Diaz might be favored, with a stronger record and resume, but Lawler has been more active recently. Does the older Diaz brother still have that chip on his shoulder that made him the vicious competitor he once was, or should he have stayed retired? Will Robbie's more recent experience in the ring help him beat a man that has defeated him in the past? We will see at UFC #266!

HOW TO WATCH: Live on ESPN/ESPN+ on Saturday, September 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT.

September 25th: UFC 266 Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

And to properly finish our coverage of this amazing card, we have a fight in the heavyweight division between two of the top contenders, Curtis Blaydes (14W-3L-0D) and Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12W-2L-0D).

Blaydes' style is wrestling-heavy. His grappling game is still early (he is a blue belt in BJJ), but he is a high-level, national champion wrestler.
Jairzinho is more of a striker. He is a very skilled kickboxer, and his game plan will likely involve keeping the fight standing up and protecting the takedowns.

Both fighters have lost to the current heavyweight champ, Francis Ngannou.
They are likely no more than 2-3 fights away from another title shot, and this fight is a very important step towards that goal for each fighter.

HOW TO WATCH: Live on ESPN/ESPN+ on Saturday, September 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT.

Note: All information is accurate as of August 24, 2021.

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The Author: Nikolay Tsenkov is a dad, husband, entrepreneur, and boxing aficionado. He started training late, when he was 26 years old. One of his biggest regrets in life is that he never competed. For several years he has trained alongside national and European champions and professional boxers. He is an avid student of boxing, but enjoys all sorts of martial arts.

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