One would argue, 2024 has been the busiest year for Combat Sports, giving us highlights like the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, ring of fire bout among many. But that’s not it. With around three months left before the year wraps-up, here are some of the biggest combat sports events to watch this year.
5 Upcoming MMA And Boxing Matches To Keep On Your Radar In 2024
Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
What: UFC 308
When: October 26
Where To Watch: Sony LIV
A legendary bout is on its way, with Ilia Topuria, the man who knocked out former champion Alexander Volkanovski, facing off against Max Holloway, who knocked out Justin Gaethje with three seconds left on the clock at UFC 300. On the line? The undisputed Featherweight belt. Holloway is the poster child for the division, combining volume striking with a stubborn chin that refuses to back down. But Topuria is different—fast, vicious, and with the kind of knockout power that can change a fight with a single shot. Expect a chess match of technical prowess and raw aggression, as both aim to cement their names in featherweight lore.
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
What: UFC 309
When: November 16
Where To Watch: Sony LIV
In frame: Jon Jones
When the heavyweight GOAT debate is on the line, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are the only contenders worthy of the argument, as Dana White might say. Jones, whose dominance at light heavyweight is the stuff of legends, ventures into a weight class where Miocic reigns as the most decorated champ. At Madison Square Garden, this bout is likely the final chapter for both fighters. It’s Jones’ unmatched fight IQ against Miocic’s ability to adapt and deliver power shots. And when legends collide, the echoes can be heard for generations.
Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev
What: Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship
When: October 12
Where To Watch: TBA
In frame: Artur Beterbiev
This one is for the purists. Two unbeaten light heavyweight champs facing off, each bringing a different flavour to the ring. Bivol is a master of distance control, a surgeon with his jab, and the very definition of “hit and don’t get hit.” On the other side is Beterbiev, a relentless force who has knocked out every opponent he’s faced. It’s a battle of finesse versus ferocity, and with all the belts on the line, neither man is willing to blink first.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II
What: Undisputed Heavyweight Championship
When: December 21
Where To Watch: TBA
The heavyweight landscape is set to be reshaped. In their first meeting, Usyk's swift footwork and technical mastery clashed with Fury's unpredictable style, producing a thrilling battle of contrasts. Now, both fighters have had time to adjust. Will Fury’s size and improvisation wear down the former cruiserweight king, or will Usyk’s precision once again tip the scales? With undisputed status hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder
What: Crossover Spectacle
When: TBA
Where To Watch: TBA
In frame: Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
The tale of the tape reads like a dream: two giants with the ability to turn out the lights with one punch. Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champ who’s punched has been described as “taking a hit from a Ford Escort at full speed,” steps into Wilder’s boxing world. Wilder, a former WBC champ with an absurd knockout ratio, aims to remind the world that he can still deliver a right hand from the depths of hell. It’s the ultimate “who lands first” match-up, a fantasy fight turned reality, and it could end in the blink of an eye.
