After Jon Jones’ injury during his training camp, the UFC 295 card has had to have a rather big change made to it.
Jones’ fight with Stipe Miocic was one that was highly anticipated around the world, with fight fans looking forward to the contest because of what it had promised in terms of MMA abilities.
Both fighters are known around the circuit as being among the best at this weight division, and the news of Jones’ injury was one that came with a lot of upset and disappointment.
However, while that fight has had to be put on hold and potentially happen at a later date when “Bones” is fit to return to the Octagon, the promotion has managed to find itself a new headline bout and add a fight to the card that is also very alluring for UFC fans.
Jiří Procházka vs Alex Pereira set to headline
Having previously been the co-main event for UFC 295, it only made sense for the fight between Jiří Procházka and Alex Pereira to be elevated to headline the card. The contest will see the duo compete for the vacant Light Heavyweight UFC Championship belt.
Taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 11, 2023, the fight will see two experienced MMA athletes go up against each other. The Czech is currently ranked No. 1 in the world at the weight, with a record of 29-3-1. The Brazilian, though, is No. 7 in the world in the same weight class but has a record of 8-2-0. Despite his inexperience and the lack of fights in comparison to his opponent, Pereira is expected to come out on top and take the vacant title, with the odds favoring him ahead of the event.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Tom Aspinall replaces Jones vs Miocic
In order to make sure the card still remains stacked for UFC 295, the promotion managed to add a potentially blockbuster fight when replacing the Jones vs Miocic bout. A contest between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall will now take place as the pair go against each other for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship.
Pavlovich is the No. 2 ranked fighter in the Light Heavyweight division and has managed to compile a record that reads 18-1-0. However, Aspinall is considered to be the betting favorite with the odds that he has been provided for the upcoming contest, with the No. 4 ranked fighter having a record of 13-3-0. The British fighter came back from a defeat to Curtis Blaydes over a year ago with an emphatic victory over Marcin Tybura just a few months ago, thus perhaps giving him the edge over Pavlovich as he last fought six months ago (against Blaydes in a winning effort).
13 fights are scheduled to take place at UFC 295
Fans of the UFC will be treated to a lot of fight action on November 11 when UFC 295 roles into New York City, as a total of 13 bouts have been scheduled to take place inside the Octagon come fight night.
While the two contests between Procházka, Pereira, Pavlovich, and Aspinall are the biggest draws, there are plenty of other fights that are very interesting and will likely provide plenty of entertainment for fans and enthusiasts.
The contest between Jéssica Andrade and Mackenzie Dern at Strawweight should be a compelling fight, with the American expected to overcome the Brazilian on the night if the current odds are anything to go by.
Elsewhere, a flyweight bout on the preliminary card between Joshua Van and Kevin Borjas is scheduled to happen. It is a fight that could prove very interesting as the pair are starting to forge impressive MMA careers. Depending on the outcome of the match, which sees Van being the favorite, it could be the beginning of something special for either – or both – of the athletes in the future.
Strap in for plenty of incredible UFC action
With UFC 295 on the horizon, fight fans should strap themselves in as they are being promised to receive some excellent Octagon action on November 11, judging by the card that has been put together.
Of course, Jones vs Miocic was the headliner and the event that most will have been excited about, but the bouts that will see Jiří Procházka and Alex Pereira and Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall should more than makeup for the disappointment that many had when it was revealed that “Bones” had suffered a significant injury that would stop him from competing.
