Best of the Rest – MMA Viewing Guide

With no UFC or Bellator events this weekend, viewing options for MMA fans may seem limited when in fact, there are plenty of possibilities. Let’s have a look into when and where some of the best cards are taking place, and live up to the moniker of “Fight Night Picks”!

Fight Nights Global 90: Ismailov vs. Mineev – Friday at 11 am ET on FITE TV

(Poster Via: Fight Nights Global)

Fight Nights Global is back with FNG 90 from Moscow on Friday. In the main event middleweights Magomed Ismailov (13-2) and Vladimir Mineev (10-1) are set to meet, originally scheduled for FNG 85 in March but was called off due to an injury to Mineev. Ismailov brings a seven fight win streak to the cage while Mineev has competed since the injury besting Pavel Masalski at FNG 89 by first round submission.

High level bantamweights square off on the main card with Vladimir Egoyan (18-6) taking on undefeated Mukhamed Eminov (11-0). Egoyan’s taken on top talent in the past including PFL’s Bekbulat Magomedov, UFC’s Islam Makhachev, and ACB featherweight champion Yusup Raisov. This marks the toughest test for Eminov since FNG 88, all of his wins have come by finish in the first round.

LFA 52: Rodriguez vs. Gutierrez – Friday at 9 pm ET on AXS TV

(Poster Via: Tapology)

LFA 52 is set for Friday night in the promotion’s home state of Texas. The card features some solid talent including Bellator alum Armando Villarreal (3-1) against Jose Johnson (6-4) on the prelims, and heavyweights Vernon Lewis (5-3) squaring off with Jeremy Hardy (6-3) on the main card.

In the co-main event Jimmy Flick (11-4) and Cee Jay Hamilton (13-6) meet in the middle at a catchweight of 130 lbs. Both have fought top talent in their respective divisions, as Flick’s fought one half of this week’s main event in Chris Gutierrez and Levi Mowles in the past and Hamilton brings experience against the UFC’s Jarred Brooks and most recently a win in M-1’s return to the United States in August.

Top bantamweight prospects collide in the main event as Ray Rodriguez (13-4) meets Chris Gutierrez (11-2-1). Rodriguez is riding a seven fight win streak, while Gutierrez has won his last two.

Cage Warriors 98 – Friday at 4 pm ET on UFC Fight Pass

(Photo Via: Cage Warriors Press Release)

Riding the momentum of Cage Warriors 97 late last month, the promotion is heading to Birmingham with a solid card. Recent BAMMA headliner Alex “Da Kid” Lohore (15-3) will be facing English welterweight Sam Boult (11-3) on the prelims. One the main card, former lightweight title challenger Alexander Jacobsen (9-3) is set to take on Perry Andre Goodwin (8-5) who’s on a two fight losing streak.

SBG’s own Adam “The Love Doctor” Proctor (9-1) comes into Saturday on a four fight win streak, most recently beating Ashley Reece at ACB 87 in May. He’ll be taking on Italian welterweight Angelo Rubino (8-3) who’s also putting his four fight win streak on the line, and seven of eight wins by finish.

The featherweight tournament semi-finals are taking place as well on Saturday with Dean Trueman (8-4) facing Lewis Monarch (10-3)  and Aiden Lee (6-2) taking on the Scot Paull McBain (6-0).

The Cage Warriors welterweight championship is on the line in the main event as champ Stefano Paternò (12-2-1) puts his belt and seven fight win streak on the line against Scottish challenger Ross Houston (7-0). Paterno owns 11/12 wins by finish, while Houston won his last fight at Cage Warriros 95 by third round submission (3/7 by finish).

PFL Playoffs – Saturday at 8 pm ET on Facebook (International) and NBCSN

(Playoff Format Via: PFL MMA Twitter)

The PFL playoffs continue on Saturday night as clarity in the welterweight and middleweight divisions will be had. Worth noting that this season’s Cinderella star Ray Cooper III (15-5) will be rematching with former UFC title challenger Jake Shields (33-10-1). The first fight went the way of Cooper III who was able to knock out Shields in the second round. Shields is seeded #8 and won his last bout by decision at PFL #6 in August against Herman Terrado.

The entire PFL format and seeding can be found on the PFL site below:

https://www.pflmma.com/playoffs