Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk defends his world titles against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Great Pyramid Complex in Giza, Egypt, headlining a busy weekend for the sport. While the boxing calendar is packed with international cards, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has no events scheduled for this period. The Octagon will remain empty until May 30, though mixed martial arts fans have a Professional Fighters League (PFL) event to look forward to in Europe.
The Giza event, promoted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, stands as the centerpiece of the weekend. Rico Verhoeven, a dominant force in kickboxing, is making a high-stakes transition to face the pound-for-pound king. Verhoeven told BBC Sport that lasting 12 rounds and securing a decision against a fighter of Usyk’s caliber would be the “ultimate” achievement of his career. Usyk remains focused on the historic nature of the bout, signaling he is ready for “history time” against the Dutch challenger.
This massive card includes a heavyweight clash between Richard Torrez and Frank Sanchez, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK. Many analysts believe Torrez Jr. anticipates the Sanchez bout will be a platform to showcase his technical evolution. Other key matchups in Giza feature Hamzah Sheeraz taking on Alem Begic for a WBO title shot and a WBA welterweight eliminator between Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov.
Friday night action starts in San Jose
The weekend’s live action begins today, Friday, May 22, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Golden Boy Promotions is hosting a middleweight main event featuring Amari Jones against Vincenzo Gualtieri. Jones is currently on a fast track toward a middleweight title and views this as a vital step in his progression. The card starts at 8:00 PM ET and will be available for streaming globally on DAZN.
On the San Jose undercard, middleweights Jordan Panthen and Jean Rivera-Pacheco will meet in a clash of similar records. Panthen enters the ring with an 11-2-0 record and a 69.23% knockout rate, standing at 5′ 9″. His opponent, Rivera-Pacheco, is slightly taller at 5′ 10″ and holds a 10-2-0 record. This domestic matchup provides a strong lead-in to the higher-profile international bouts scheduled for the following day.
While the focus today is on the prospects in California, the boxing world continues to monitor larger developments involving veteran names. There have been ongoing discussions regarding a potential rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao, which could shift the landscape of the sport later this year. For now, however, the rising talent in San Jose holds the spotlight for Friday’s viewership.
Global boxing schedule for Saturday and Sunday
Saturday, May 23, offers a diverse range of locations for fight fans beyond the Pyramids of Giza. In Oberhausen, Germany, Bakary Samake faces Ermal Hadribeaj in a light middleweight contest starting at 12:00 PM ET on DAZN. Additionally, a unique event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where Brand Risk Promotions presents a matchup between former NFL player Johnny Manziel and Bob Menery.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, May 24, with a flyweight main event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. David Jimenez is set to face Ayumu Sano at the Gazprom Sports Complex. The card also features an undercard bout between Luis Reynaldo Nunez and Kyonosuke Kameda. These international events underscore the global reach of boxing during a weekend where the major MMA promotions have lowered their activity levels.
The Giza undercard also features Daniel Lapin against Benjamin Mendes Tani in a light heavyweight bout and Mizuki Hiruta facing Mai Soliman. As Verhoeven intends to box post-Usyk, his performance against the champion will likely dictate his future viability in the heavyweight division. Fans can catch the Giza main card starting at 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM local time on DAZN PPV.
Missing UFC events and the MMA schedule
Contrary to some early promotional listings, there is no UFC event scheduled for this weekend. The promotion is currently on a brief hiatus before returning next week. Fans waiting for the Octagon to return will have to wait until Saturday, May 30, 2026, for UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo. That event is scheduled to take place at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China.
While the UFC is dark, another major mixed martial arts promotion is active. PFL Brussels 2026 is slated for Saturday, May 23, in Brussels, Belgium. This represents the only high-profile MMA card for the weekend of May 22-24. For viewers specifically looking for MMA on television, the PFL event provides the only alternative to the heavy schedule of boxing matches occurring in Egypt, Germany, and the United States.
The lack of UFC competition this weekend allows boxing to take center stage, particularly with a champion of Usyk’s status fighting in such a visually striking location. The absence of a major Las Vegas or Florida-based UFC card means the crossover interest in the Usyk-Verhoeven bout is expected to be higher than a typical title defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a UFC fight tonight or this weekend?
No, there are no UFC events scheduled for the weekend of May 22–24, 2026. The next event is UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo, which takes place on May 30 in Macau.
What time does the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight start in the UK?
The heavyweight title fight at the Pyramids of Giza is scheduled to begin at approximately 4:00 PM UK time on Saturday, May 23. In the United States, the broadcast starts at 1:00 PM ET.
Which MMA events are actually happening this weekend?
While the UFC is on a break, PFL Brussels 2026 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 23, in Brussels, Belgium. This is the only major MMA event confirmed for this weekend.
