fight card
What is the definition of fight card in boxing and MMA?
1. The fight card is a program or itinerary of all the boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA) matches that are to take place during one event. A fight card usually contains one main event and the undercard. The fight card is usually just referred to as the card.
What is a fight card?
A fight card in boxing, MMA and other combat sports is the list of matches set to take place during an event. The bouts are listed in ascending order of importance, with the main event listed last.
What’s the difference between a fight card and an undercard?
The fight card is the complete list of fights for a boxing or MMA event. “Undercard” is the term used to describe the part of the fight card listing the preliminary bouts that are scheduled before the main event.
The prelims on the fight card are listed in order of importance. This means that bouts featuring unknown or up-and-coming fights are listed first. The more name recognition and experience a fighter has, the closer they’ll be scheduled to the main event.
Even if fans are primarily interested in watching the headline fight, the undercard provides a chance for them to see multiple matches at a single event. At the same time, the undercard gives newer fighters a chance to gain competition experience and recognition.
What is the order of the fights?
The fights in a boxing or MMA match are detailed on the fight card in the following order:
- Undercard: Preliminary bouts between lesser known or amateur fighters
- Midcard: Preliminary bouts between recognized and experienced fighters
- Main card: Title fight(s) between two well-known and accomplished fighters
What is the main event?
The main event is a headline bout between two well-known and accomplished fighters. It is listed last on the fight card and takes place after all of the preliminary bouts from the undercard have been completed. Other names for the main event in boxing or MMA include title fight, title match or headliner.
Is the main card the last fight?
The main event, or main card, is the last fight on the fight card. It features two well-known contenders in a highly anticipated matchup and occurs after all of the preliminary bouts are complete. In promotions for a boxing or MMA event, the main card with the names of the two fighters involved is highlighted to help draw in fans.
What is a co-main event in boxing and MMA?
Occasionally, there may be a “co-main event” scheduled on the fight card. This is a term sometimes used when there are multiple highly anticipated fights scheduled for a boxing or MMA event. When there are two co-main events, it may be called a double main event or double-header. In some cases, three or more co-main events are scheduled, though these events are still arranged in ascending order of importance.
What is a supercard in boxing and MMA?
A supercard is a term sometimes used to describe a fight card which features multiple high-profile matches. This term is most commonly associated with pro wrestling, which often hosts events where numerous well-known wrestlers compete in scheduled bouts. For example, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) typically hosts several supercards per year, such as Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series.
What is the UFC fight card schedule?
A Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fight card schedule is a list of the fights planned for the event. The card features the earliest fights first, which are often called the lower card. Then, it proceeds through other preliminary matchups sometimes referred to as the midcard. Finally, it ends with the main event, which is listed last.
How many fights are on a UFC fight card?
The length of a fight card can vary based on the schedule for each event. Many UFC fight cards have a total of five or more fights. There are typically several preliminary contests with three rounds each, followed by one main event (or multiple co-main events) with five rounds.
When UFC events are aired on pay-per-view (PPV) channels, preliminary contests are sometimes replayed if fights end earlier than expected and there is more air time to fill. For example, if a fight ends quickly due to a knockout or a tap out, both of which lead to the immediate conclusion of a bout.
Types of UFC fight cards
The UFC hosts a number of different MMA events, each of which features its own fight card. Two of the most popular types of UFC events are numbered UFC events on pay-per-view or UFC Fight Pass (for example, UFC 290) and UFC Fight Night. These are hours-long events which often feature 10 or more total bouts and several co-main events. UFC matches with shorter fight cards are also regularly aired on channels like ABC, ESPN, Fox and FX.
Sample MMA fight card
The following fight card is from UFC 290, which was held on July 8, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Main card
- Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez
- Flyweight: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Moreno
- Middleweight: Dricus du Plessis vs. Robert Whittaker
- Catchweight (158 lb.): Dan Hooker vs. Jalin Turner
- Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn
Midcard
- Welterweight: Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price
- Catchweight (130 lb.): Tatsuro Taira vs. Edgar Cháirez
- Women’s Strawweight: Denise Gomes vs. Yazmin Jauregui
- Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield vs. Jimmy Crute
Undercard
- Light Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino vs. Marcin Prachnio
- Bantamweight: Cameron Saaiman vs. Terrence Mitchell
- Flyweight: Jesus Aguilar vs. Shannon Ross
- Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics vs. Kamuela Kirk
- Welterweight: Josiah Harrell vs. Jack Della Maddalena
Examples of how fight card is used in commentary
1. It’s going to be a great night of MMA. On the fight card tonight is Nunes vs. Holm, Topuria vs. Emmett and for the main event, we have Brian Ortega vs. Chan Sung Jung, more commonly known as The Korean Zombie .
2. MMA fans are hoping to see Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor on the fight card for the next UFC championship, giving the two legendary fighters a chance to finally face off against one another on the sport’s biggest stage.
Sports the term is used
Also known as:
1. The card