Beyond UFC: Why This Memorial Day Weekend Delivered Epic MMA Action Worldwide

While American MMA fans might have felt the holiday weekend drought with no UFC or PFL events on the schedule, true fight enthusiasts had plenty to celebrate internationally. I spent my weekend glued to some absolutely wild cards that flew under most people’s radar—and if you missed them, you missed out on some serious action.

KSW 93 Delivers Polish Fireworks

The Polish powerhouse promotion KSW came through with what might be their most entertaining card of 2024 so far. If you’ve never checked out KSW, you’re missing some of the most theatrical and hard-hitting action in the sport.

Former UFC heavyweight Darko Stošić captured the interim heavyweight title with a stunning first-round knockout over Arkadiusz Wrzosek. The finishing sequence was absolutely brutal—the kind of highlight that would be playing on ESPN for days if it happened in the UFC.

Insert image of Darko Stošić’s knockout celebration here

But that wasn’t even the most impressive performance of the night. Adrian Bartosiński defended his welterweight title with a slick rear-naked choke over Andrzej Grzebyk in the fourth round. The technical display was masterclass level—showing that European MMA continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Brave CF 80: The Middle East’s Answer to the UFC

While many were firing up their grills on Monday, Brave Combat Federation was lighting up Isa Town, Bahrain with an action-packed card.

The standout performance came from Jose “Shorty” Torres, who reminded everyone why he was once considered one of the brightest prospects in the lower weight classes. His dominant win over Nkosi Ndebele showed he’s still a force to be reckoned with outside the UFC.

Japan’s Rizin Continues to Innovate

I’ve been following Japanese MMA since the Pride days, and Rizin continues to capture that special something that made Japanese fighting so captivating. Their weekend offering featured some of the most creative striking I’ve seen all year.

Kleber Koike defended his featherweight title in spectacular fashion, showcasing why he’s one of the most underrated champions outside the major North American promotions. His grappling sequences were absolutely mesmerizing—the kind of technique that makes you rewind multiple times just to figure out how he did it.

Why Global MMA Matters More Than Ever

Look, I get it. The UFC dominates the conversation, and for good reason. But when you limit yourself to just one promotion—even the biggest one—you’re missing out on a world of incredible talent and different fighting styles.

International MMA often features:

• Different rule sets that encourage more action
• Regional fighting styles you rarely see in homogenized promotions
• Future UFC stars before they make it to the big show
• Veteran fighters showing they still have plenty left in the tank

What’s Coming Next Weekend?

The good news is that normal service resumes this coming weekend with UFC returning to action. But don’t sleep on ONE Championship’s card in Bangkok, which features some of the most explosive strikers on the planet.

For those of us in Brevard County who feel starved for live MMA action, there’s also a regional show coming to Melbourne next month that’s worth checking out. Local talent often delivers some of the most heart-filled performances you’ll ever see.

Was This Memorial Day Weekend Actually Great for MMA?

You know what? I think we needed this breather from the UFC machine. It gave us a chance to appreciate the global nature of the sport and remember that incredible fights happen everywhere, every weekend.

The lack of UFC content also meant social media wasn’t dominated by the same handful of personalities, giving us a chance to discover new fighters worth following.

Did you catch any international MMA action this weekend? What promotions do you follow beyond the UFC? Drop a comment below—I’m always looking for recommendations on fights I might have missed!

Until next time, keep your guard up and your eyes open for fighting excellence wherever it happens.

Source: Original reporting based on international MMA broadcasts