The UFC is set to return to Nashville for the first time since 2012 as UFC Fight Night: St. Preux vs. Teixeira is set to go down at Bridgestone Arena on August 8. The night’s main card is expected to air on Fox Sports 1 with the preliminary card likely for Fox Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
The UFC has hosted two other events in Nashville, both at Bridgestone Arena: UFC on FX 1 in 2012 and UFC Fight Night 18 in 2009. It is the third overall event in the state of Tennessee.
UFC Fight Night Nashville will be headlined by a light heavyweight bout pitting Knoxville native Ovince St. Preux (18-6, 6-1 UFC) against former title challenger Glover Teixeira (22-4, 5-2 UFC) at 205 pounds. It’s a matchup of fighters headed in opposite directions, as St. Preux has won his last two bouts via knockout in the first round while Teixeira has dropped decisions in his last two outings.
St. Preux is a former linebacker at the University of Tennessee and he still resides in the Volunteer State where he trains at Knoxville MMA.
The only other fighter currently slated for the card with Tennessee ties is lightweight Scott Holtzman (7-0, 0-0 UFC), who will make his Octagon debut against Anthony Christodoulou (12-5, 0-1 UFC). The former XFC champion Holtzman looks to stay unbeaten as he gets his first UFC fight in his home state.
A matchup of fast-rising lightweights is also scheduled, as Michael Johnson (16-8, 8-4 UFC) takes on Beneil Dariush (11-1, 5-1 UFC) at 155 pounds. Both fighters are inching toward a title shot and marquee fights, as they have both reeled off four straight victories in the deep lightweight division.
A marquee women’s bout will take place at 135 pounds, as former title challenger and Olympic wrestling silver medalist Sara McMann (8-2, 2-2 UFC) faces knockout artist Amanda Nunes (10-4, 3-1 UFC). McMann has dropped two of three, losing to Ronda Rousey in a title fight and then falling to Miesha Tate in her last outing. Nunes looks to continue her hot streak, as the American Top Team product has won three of her four UFC outings (all via TKO) and has nine total knockouts to her credit.
Jared Cannonier (7-1, 0-1 UFC) will drop to light heavyweight after dropping his UFC debut against Shawn Jordan at heavyweight, and he’ll welcome Jonathan Wilson (6-0, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon for the first time.
A pair of bantamweights looking to gain their UFC footing will square off, as Roman Salazar (9-3, 0-1 UFC) takes on “TUF: Latin America” contestant Marlon Vera (6-2-1, 0-1 UFC). Salazar dropped his UFC debut before competing against Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto in a no contest in February. Vera lost a decision to Marco Beltran in his UFC debut last November.
Heavyweights will also square off, as North Dakota’s Timothy Johnson (9-1, 1-0 UFC) faces another fighter with stout wrestling credentials in Jared Rosholt (12-2, 4-1 UFC). Johnson stopped Shamil Abdurahimov via TKO in his UFC debut in April, while Rosholt earned his first UFC stoppage with a TKO over Josh Copeland in his last outing in March.
Official UFC Fight Night: Nashville card
205 lbs: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Glover Teixeira
155 lbs: Beneil Dariush vs. Michael Johnson
135 lbs: Sara McMann vs. Amanda Nunes
135 lbs: Roman Salazar vs. Marlon Vera
205 lbs: Jared Cannonier vs. Jonathan Wilson
265 lbs: Timothy Johnson vs. Jared Rosholt
155 lbs: Anthony Christodoulou vs. Scott Holtzman
That’s the fight card so far. What do you think?