UFC
UFC special: 7 hidden gems you can’t miss this summer!
UFC fights you can’t miss. Photo via Instagram and USA Today Sport
The summer has a bunch of interesting UFC title fights and stacked numbered events with major stars. Looking past the big fights, there are a lot of interesting matchups that every UFC fan should make sure to watch.
Click ”Next” to take a look at seven hidden gems you just can’t miss this summer!
Andre Fili vs. Cub Swanson, 29 June
Cub Swanson. Photo via YouTube
In his haydays, veteran Cub Swanson defeated the likes of Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. On June 29, the 40-year-old will take on Andre Fili at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
Fili has more than a decade in the UFC and has alternated wins and losses since 2022. In hist last fight he got stopped by Dan Ige in the first round.
Swanson is probably reaching the end of his career, so make sure you watch the entertaining veteran when you’ve got the chance.
Vinicius Oliveira vs. Ricky Simon, 29 June
Photo via Instagram (@viniciuslokdogmma)
Vinicius Oliveira put on an impressive finish in his promotional debut as he knocked out Swedish-Albanian Bernado Sopai in March. Now he will be a part of the UFC 303 fight card.
Oliveira’s next opponent, Ricky Simon, is a seasoned UFC fighter who tested himself against the likes of Rob Font, Song Yadong and Urijah Faber. He defeated Merab Dvalishvili in his UFC debut back in 2018.
Tracy Cortez vs. Miranda Maverick, July 20
Tracy Cortez and Miranda Maverick. Photo via Instagram
The flyweight bout between No. 11 ranked Tracy Cortez and Miranda Maverick goes down on July 20 at the Apex in Las Vegas.
Cortez rides a 10-fight winning streak and is undefeated in the UFC with five straight victories. Maverick has back-to-back wins and a 6-3 UFC record.
Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze, July 27
Arnold Allen. Photo via Instagram: (@arnoldbfa)
A low-key but important fight in the stacked featherweight division. No. 6 ranked Arnold Allen will take on No. 9 ranked Giga Chikadze at UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27.
Allens impressive winning-streak was put to halt by Max Holloway in April 2023 and then lost a tough decision to Movsar Evloev in January 2024. Now he’s in big need of a win to maintain his top position in the deep division.
Seasoned striker Chikadze is 8-1 in the UFC and comes from a win against Alex Caceres back in August 2023.
Guram Kutateladze vs. Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, August 3
Guram Kutateladze. Photo: Sweep
Swedish-Georgian lightweight Guram Kutateladze will return to action on August 3. He will face Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady.
The well-rounded Kutateladze have been matched incredibly hard in his three UFC fights. After defeating Mateusz Gamrot in his promotional debut, he lost two highly entertaining fights against Damir Ismagulov and Elves Brener.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera, August 3
Deiveson Figueiredo. Photo: Peter Casey – USA TODAY Sports
The matchup between former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and former title challenger Marlon Vera will clash on August 3. The fight is nothing but a banger but is still oddly unhyped, maybe since the card also features the weird matchups with Nick Diaz and Tony Ferguson.
Figueiredo is 2-0 since his bantamweight debut and comes from a submission win against former champion Cody Garbrandt.
Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez, August 3
Mackenzie Dern. Photo via YouTube
The strawweight bout between No. 7 ranked Mackenzie Dern and rising star Loopy Godinez will also go down on August 3.
Dern has two straight losses and is in big need of a win to maintain her position in the top 10. Mexican-Canadian Godinez comes from a tough loss that halted her four-fight winning streak. With a win against Dern she would climb towards the top of the stacked division.
Read more: Which Is The Best UFC Division in 2024? We Have The Answer!