Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn, bareknuckle MMA debuts on DAZN: The combat sports storylines of the week

Much of the attention will be on Las Vegas, where Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn collide in one of the biggest boxing fights of the year.

But there are major stakes elsewhere. A reigning EFC champion will attempt to capture a second belt, championship gold will be decided inside Bangkok's historic Rajadamnern Stadium and Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred FC begins a new era on DAZN.

Here are four of the biggest combat sports storylines to follow this week.

Can Conor Benn become a world champion against Ryan Garcia?

Rob Kim/Getty Images for Fanatics

For Conor Benn, Saturday night represents an opportunity to achieve something that has followed him throughout his career: become a world champion.

The British star challenges Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight world championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Garcia making the first defence of the title he won by defeating Mario Barrios earlier this year.

Benn has spent much of his career operating in the shadow of the achievements of his father, former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn, but victory over Garcia would give him a defining championship moment of his own.

It also requires Benn to return to welterweight after his recent fights at higher weights, adding another element to one of the biggest challenges of his career.

Garcia, meanwhile, has the opportunity to strengthen his position at the top of the division. The American has long been one of boxing's most recognisable fighters, but successfully defending a world championship against Benn would add another major result to his record.

There is significant championship action before the main event too, with Jai Opetaia facing Noel Mikaelian for the Zuffa Boxing and Ring cruiserweight titles.

When is Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn?
Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Main card: 8pm ET / 5pm PT (1am BST Sunday)

Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch Garcia vs Benn live on DAZN PPV, with the event also included with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

Watch Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn on DAZN.

Can Faeez Jacobs make EFC history in a second division?

Before attention turns to Las Vegas at the weekend, one of EFC's leading champions will attempt to add another belt to his collection in Johannesburg.

EFC 137 takes place on Thursday, September 10, with bantamweight champion Faeez Jacobs stepping up to featherweight to face Chadrack Yemba for the interim championship.

Victory would put Jacobs in rare territory as a champion across two EFC divisions and further establish him as one of the promotion's leading fighters.

But Yemba arrives with considerable momentum of his own. He has won six consecutive fights in EFC and remains unbeaten inside the promotion, meaning Jacobs is stepping into a new weight class against one of its most in-form featherweights.

That contrast provides the intrigue: an established champion chasing a second belt against a challenger attempting to turn a lengthy winning streak into his first EFC championship.

Former two-time middleweight champion Luke Michael also has an important night ahead when he faces JT Botha, while undefeated prospect Josiah Obasi meets experienced Russian newcomer German Kokaev.

When is EFC 137?
Date: Thursday, September 10
Venue: World Sports Betting EFC Arena, Johannesburg

Prelims: 1pm BST / 2pm CAT
Main card: 6pm BST / 7pm CAT

Fans in eligible territories can watch the action live and for free on DAZN.

Watch EFC 137 live and for free on DAZN.

What will Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA look like on DAZN?

Esther Lin/Fanmio

A new chapter for Jorge Masvidal begins on Saturday when his Gamebred FC promotion makes its debut on DAZN.

The first event under the new global agreement takes place in Chelyabinsk, Russia and will be available to watch live and for free on DAZN.

For fans discovering Masvidal's promotion for the first time, Gamebred offers something very different from traditional bare-knuckle boxing.

Fighters compete without gloves but under an MMA ruleset, allowing punches and kicks alongside takedowns, grappling, ground fighting and submissions. The result is essentially full mixed martial arts stripped of its gloves.

Saturday's main event provides an ideal demonstration of how that can change a fight.

Ivan Shtyrkov and Vagab Vagabov have already shared a ring, with Vagabov earning a decision victory when they fought under kickboxing rules in 2024. This time, however, the ability to grapple, score takedowns and fight on the ground completely changes the equation.

There are recognisable UFC names elsewhere on the card. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos meets Tafon Nchukwi, while Luis Pena faces fellow UFC veteran Rafael Alves.

The DAZN debut also comes during an ambitious period for Masvidal's promotion, with Gamebred running heavyweight and lightweight World Grand Prix tournaments offering $500,000 to each tournament winner.

When is RCC x Gamebred?
Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: Traktor Ice Arena, Chelyabinsk, Russia

Fans can watch Gamebred FC live and for free on DAZN.

Watch Gamebred FC live and for free on DAZN.

Who will leave Rajadamnern Stadium with RWS gold?

More championship gold will be decided more than 5,000 miles away in Bangkok, where one of combat sports' most famous venues hosts another major RWS fight.

RWS returns to the iconic Rajadamnern Stadium on Saturday, September 12, with an interim featherweight championship at stake between Mungkornlek and Noelisson Silva.

For Mungkornlek, it is an opportunity to turn his position among Rajadamnern's leading featherweights into championship gold on one of Muay Thai's biggest stages.

Silva presents a significant obstacle. The experienced Brazilian has the chance to travel into the heartland of Muay Thai and leave Bangkok with an RWS championship.

That makes the main event another clash with much more than a victory at stake, as both men attempt to establish themselves at the top of the featherweight division.

And there are few places where doing so carries greater significance than Rajadamnern, the historic Bangkok stadium that has staged elite Muay Thai for generations.

When is RWS Muay Thai: Mungkornlek vs Noelisson Silva?
Date: Saturday, September 12
Venue: Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Start time: 1pm BST / 7pm ICT

Fans in eligible territories can watch RWS live on DAZN.

Watch RWS Muay Thai on DAZN.