Polaris 28 main card lineup and preview
Check out the main card lineup and preview for Polaris 28, set to air live on UFC Fight Pass on Saturday, June 15.
Polaris Professional grappling returns on Saturday, June 15 with an absolutely stacked card featuring the return of English judo powerhouse Owen Livesey, who is set to take on late-notice replacement Baissangour Chamsoudinov. Additionally, the main card delivers two title bouts as Mateusz Szczecinski makes the first defense of his 77kg title against Levi Jones-Leary. Helena Crevar takes on Jessika Torttila in a battle for the inaugural Polaris 70kg title.
Polaris veteran Livesey was originally slated to square off with MMA legend Yoel Romero in the evening’s main event, but bad weather and flight cancellations have forced the Cuban wrestler off the card. Stepping up on very short notice is Chamsoudinov – a 22 year old undefeated professional MMA phenom.
Standing across from him will be the hulking judoka Owen Livesey. Livesey won the 2014 Commonwealth Games at 81kg and has since made a very successful transition to professional grappling. Livesey battled former UFC champion and Romero foe Chris Weidman at Polaris 23. He won the bout via decision. Livesey is known for body locks, front head snap downs, and trips.
It will be fascinating to see how this bout plays out while in the neutral position. Neither grappler is going to want to willingly play the bottom position. The bout should be a war of attrition and likely will come down to which grappler is more conditioned for battle.
Mateusz Szczecinski vs. Levi Jones Leary
The co-main event features an intriguing battle as Mateusz Szczecinski makes the first defense of his 77kg title against Levi Jones-Leary.
Szczecinski won the Polaris 77kg in lighting quick fashion submitting Jed Hue via straight ankle lock. Szczecinski is one of the most dangerous leg lockers in the world right now. He has a complex system of attacks that makes navigating his guard a nightmare for opponents. The threat of leg attacks beautifully opens up the rest of his game should plan A not succeed.
“Xanadugod” Levi Jones-Leary returns to the Polaris stage looking to put on a show. The master of the berimbolo, Jones-Leary has some of the most technical jiu-jitsu. He is adept at finding and finishing from the back. Leary has an underrated passing game that may be on display in this match.
This bout has the potential to be a technical masterpiece. Both athletes are extremely aggressive in hunting dominant positions and submissions yet have very contrasting styles. The berimbolo of Leary against the devastating leg attacks from Szczecinski will be must see television.
Helena Crevar vs. Jessika Torttila
New Wave phenom Helena Crevar makes her Polaris debut as she looks to add another title to her growing trophy case. She takes on rising European prospect Jessika Torttila for the inaugural women’s 70kg title.
Crevar has been on an absolute tear winning just about everything including the ADCC West Coast trials. Crevar has an extremely dangerous guard, constantly threatening submissions and creating sweeping opportunities. She has a very dynamic leg lock game.
Her opponent is rising Finnish prospect Jessika Torttila. Torttila is a colored belt European champion in both Gi and No-gi as well as a Finnish Champion. She is coming off a silver medal performance at the ADCC European Trials.
The rest of the card at Polaris 28
Two-time ADCC European champion Santeri Lilius returns to the Polaris stage to take on unorthodox submission specialist Ben Bennett.
Former Polaris title challenger and fan favorite Jed Hue takes on Scottish MMA star Stevie Ray.
Top UK contenders battle as Ellis Younger faces off with Sam Quinn.
Polaris 28 main card lineup
- Owen Livesey vs. Baissangour Chamsoudinov
- Mateusz Szczecinski vs. Levi Jones-Leary
- Helena Crevar vs. Jessika Torttila
- Santeri Lilius vs. Ben Bennett
- Jed Hue vs. Stevie Ray
- Ellis Younger vs. Sam Quinn
How to watch: Polaris 28 takes place on Saturday, June 15, and will air live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) beginning at 1:00 PM ET.
