To say that Dana White has been busy is an understatement. Between the launch of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu promotion, the Paramount deal, and talks of a UFC Fight Card at the White House for America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the spotlight gleams hot on the bald crown of the combat sports kingpin. But perhaps the best deal of all–for the fans, fighters, and the businessfolk–is this weekend’s landmark boxing event: Canelo vs Crawford, streaming on Netflix and offering instant reach to over 300 million subscribers.

Between the headlining event and the hot prospects looking to make the most of their moment in the ring, this event should be fun for hardcore and casual fans alike. Is it as hotly anticipated as Mayweather vs Pacquiao? As eyeball-drawing as McGregor vs Mayweather or Tyson vs Paul? Probably not, but the stakes are real and the exposure huge, thanks to the involvement of the streaming giant and the marketing machine.

Let’s dig into the least you should know.   

The main card lineup for Canelo vs Crawford is as follows

Canelo vs Crawford

The undisputed champ at 168 lbs lays it all on the line with “Bud,” who moves up two weight classes to face him. Talk surrounding this fight heavily revolves on the idea of “legacy” for both fighters, who are considered among the modern greats in their respective weight classes and beloved by their fans. When it comes to legacy, Canelo has a lot to lose, while Crawford has a lot to gain in this fight. Given how styles match up, this bout is likely to be more of a chess match than a bloody brawl: expect Canelo to try achieving close range and using his size and power advantages against Crawford; expect Crawford to use his fight sense, speed, footwork, and counterpunching to try to put Canelo out of his element. Detractors of Canelo say he is already “over the hill” and hasn’t looked great in his last few fights, while those of Crawford say he lacks meaningful experience fighting opponents over 147 lbs and, while his fight IQ is strong, it doesn’t surpass Canelo’s so widely that it’ll be a game-changing advantage. This bout for a figurative spot on the “Mt. Rushmore of Boxing” will come down to two questions: who will figure out the other man first? and does size truly matter? I’m taking Canelo by decision. He’ll find Crawford’s body during pocket exchanges. Body damage will limit Crawford’s movement as the fight goes on, taking away one of his big advantages.

Walsh vs Vargas Jr.

The rising Irish star takes on the progeny of a two-time light middleweight champ. Both fighters enter this bout undefeated after being built up through careful matchmaking. Both skill-wise and stakes-wise, this is the most serious match Walsh and Vargas Jr. have taken in their careers so far. Walsh came up in boxing younger, and has speed and a stronger amateur record on his side. Vargas Jr. was more of a late bloomer, but has more power in his hands. Oddsmakers have this ten-round fight heavily favoring Walsh. Given Callum’s favored status by Dana White and the powers that be, this isn’t a fight Vargas wants to leave to the judges: if Vargas Jr. doesn’t TKO the Irishman, he’s probably right in thinking he’ll lose the decision to him.

Mbilli vs Martinez

Some are talking about this fight having the potential to overshadow the headliner: while Canelo vs Crawford is expected to be a more calculated, technical fight, Mbilli vs Martinez is expected to be a fan-friendlier, punchy match. Mbilli has been more active, Martinez less so due to injury, but both are undefeated, expected to be persistently offensive, and mutually convinced that the other is his hardest test to date. Looking at their highlight reels, Martinez is patient, hits hard, and has a particularly devastating right hook. Mbilli is brutally explosive, varied in his strikes, and relentless in finding cracks in the guard. Both men will be looking for war–if for some reason this fight goes to a decision, it won’t be without some blood on the ring. 

Alakel vs Ornelas

Instead of going out and taking shots like most men his age, the twenty-one-year-old Alakel likes taking shots at fighters–then again, he is Saudi by birth. Fast, technical, and taking this fight only weeks since his last W (also his first TKO), the undefeated Alakel is looking to kick off the main card with flair while continuing to establish his ascent within his division. Ornelas is thirty-three and has respectable KO power–enough to shut down the young gun–but is definitely the underdog in this fight per betting lines. If you see something in Ornelas that others don’t, consider this your cue to bet on your boy and make a killing with the odds. 

The main card begins at 6pm PST/9pm EST, streaming live on Netflix from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.