The UFC returns to the Saitama Super Arena in Japan for UFC Japan: Saint Preux vs. Okami on Friday. The card actually takes place on Saturday in Japan, but it will be broadcast on FXX in the United States on Friday evening. The main event features light heavyweight contender Ovince Saint Preux and returning veteran Yushin Okami.
UFC Fight Pass prelims will be steaming from 7:30 p.m. ET to 8 p.m., at which point FXX will pick up coverage for the second slate of prelims. At 10 p.m., the main card will get underway.
That main card should be a good one, too. It will open with a 150-pound catchweight bout between Mizuto Hirota and Charles Rosa and will also see a lightweight showdown between fan favorite Takanori Gomi and Dong Hyun Kim. Gomi is basically a legend in the sport at this point and is nearing the end of his career.
In the co-feature, Cláudia Gadelha will take on Jéssica Andrade. Andrade last fought for the Women’s Strawweight Championship but came up short and will try to get back in the win column against Gadelha.
Saint Preux was originally set to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the main event of this card, a rematch from their last meeting in 2014, but Rua had to pull out of the bout. Instead, he’ll take on Okami, who is making his second stint in the promotion after spending time elsewhere, namely the World Series of Fighting.
Okami won his last bout but hasn’t competed in the UFC since 2013 when he lost to Ronaldo Souza. Since then, he’s gone 5-2. Saint Preux lost three consecutive matches before snapping his losing skid in his last bout, though that losing skid included matches against Jon Jones and Jimi Manuwa, two of the best in the light heavyweight division.
Below is all you need to know to watch the action on Friday.
All Times Eastern
How to watch UFC Japan
Date: Friday, September 22
Time: Prelims 1 at 7:30 p.m.; prelims 2 at 8 p.m.; main card at 10 p.m.
Location: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
TV: FXX
Online Streaming: UFC Fight Pass, UFC.TV, UFC YouTube, Fox Sports GO
UFC Japan full fight card
FXX Main Card
Light Heavyweight: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Yushin Okami
Women’s Strawweight: Cláudia Gadelha vs. Jéssica Andrade
Lightweight: Takanori Gomi vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Light Heavyweight: Gökhan Saki vs. Henrique da Silva
Featherweight: Teruto Ishihara vs. Rolando Dy
Catchweight: Mizuto Hirota vs. Charles Rosa
FXX Preliminary Card
Welterweight: Keita Nakamura vs. Alex Morono
Flyweight: Jussier Formiga vs. Ulka Sasaki
Women’s Strawweight: Syuri Kondo vs. Chan-Mi Jeon
Welterweight: Shinsho Anzai vs. Luke Jumeau
Fight Pass Preliminary Card
Welterweight: Daichi Abe vs. Hyun Gyu Lim