There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the upcoming Polaris 9, and for good reason: this card is going to be packed with some of the sport’s best talent, and we’re guaranteed to see some seriously action-packed matches.
The main event of the evening will see Jake Shields go up against Rafael Lovato Jr. in a 200-lb catchweight superfight. Shields (a multiple-time Polaris veteran) and Lovato Jr. (an IBJJF World Champion in gi and no-gi) are both ADCC veterans and accomplished MMA fighters. This is an evenly-matched fight that is sure to leave fans on the edge of their seats.
The co-main event will be a -55kg title match between Ffion Davies and Gezary Matuda. The winner will be crowned Polaris’ first ever -55kg champion. Davies (whose coach, Darragh O’Connaill, is also on the card) has already won No-Gi Worlds and Euros since earning her black belt in November of 2018, so although she may not yet have the extensive black belt resume of Matuda (who has won both Worlds and Pans multiple times), victory isn’t guaranteed for either of these accomplished athletes.
Before these matches, though, we’ll see Vagner Rocha and Ross Nicholls compete for the number-one welterweight contender spot. The winner of their match will have the opportunity to challenge current welterweight champion Mansher Khera for his title.
Check out the full card below, and tune in to UFC Fight Pass to see all the action happen on March 9.
