MMA This Week: Next UFC, PFL, Craig Jones Invitational & More

August 12, 2024, is a stacked week for fight fans. Spectators are privy to a wealth of combat sports entertainment from the market leaders and an exceptional MMA regional scene.

The UFC’s middleweight title is up for grabs at UFC 305 this weekend, preceded by the PFL semi-finals, some great boxing, and a brand new player in the professional grappling space, Craig Jones Invitational. Let’s get into it.

Tuesday, August 9

Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 8, Week 1

Time: 7 pm ET / 12 am BST
How to watch: UFC Fight Pass

Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) 2024 begins this Tuesday, August 13. Five fights occupy the card, with a mix of regional champions and prolific finishers vying for a UFC contract. For casual fight fans, DWCS is a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with up-and-coming UFC talent without the commitment of sitting through an eight-hour event. Five high-quality matchups with decent pacing make for a quick watch on a Tuesday night.

Friday, August 16

PFL 8: Kasanganay vs. Silveira 2

Time: 6 pm ET / 11 pm BST
How to Watch: DAZN

PFL 8 is headlined by four semifinal bouts in the light heavyweight and lightweight PFL divisions. UFC veteran Impa Kasanganay rematches Josh Silveira in the main event, while Rob Wilkinson takes on Turkmenistani knockout artist Dovlet Yagshimuradov in the co-main. The card features the fan-favourite slugger Clay Collard and Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, in his second professional fight.

UFC vs. PFL: What’s the Difference?

While the PFL has some ways to catch up with the UFC, it still makes for great entertainment. The broadcast team and production are improving, and so is the roster of fighters (despite the main event being a rematch).

Friday, August 16 – Saturday, August 17

Craig Jones Invitational

Craig Jones is here with his direct countermeasure to ADCC. A wealth of top athletes from the professional grappling world will compete for a $1M grand prize in several weight classes. Each competitor will be paid $10,001 to participate ($1 more than the ADCC awards tournament winners). Names include Tye and Kade Ruotolo, Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rodriguez, Luke Rockhold, Mackenzie Dern, and plenty more.

Jones will compete in the main event on Saturday against women’s grappling and MMA legend Gabi Garcia. All proceeds will go to charity.

How to Watch Craig Jones Invitational

Craig Jones Invitational will be free to watch on YouTube, FaceBook, and the BTeam website. Day one will be live on Friday, August 16 at 6 pm ET / 11 pm BST, and Day Two on Saturday, August 17 at 8 pm ET / Sunday 1 am BST. (Stream below)

Saturday, August 16

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya

Time: 6:30 pm ET / 11:30 pm BST
How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass / ESPN+ / TNT Sports

Bad blood boils over in the main event of UFC 305 on Saturday, August 16. Middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis takes on former two-time champion Israel Adesanya in a fight propelled with a racially-fuelled feud. In the co-main, Aussie countrymen Steve Erceg and Kai Kara-France duke it out for flyweight top-contender status.

The fun doesn’t end there as dogged fan-favourite fighter Dan Hooker aims high in a fight with Mateusz Gamrot, heavyweight brawlers Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Roizenstruik go to war, and ‘The Leech’ Jingliang Li finally returns after a two-year hiatus.