August will soon be behind us, but don't you fear--there are plenty of fights to look forward to in September!

Here are the top five you definitely need to mark on your calendars.

Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem, UFC 203 | September 10

Stipe Miocic will put his UFC heavyweight title on the line for the first time in his native Cleveland when he faces Alistair Overeem at UFC 203. 

Miocic won the title in May when he defeated the then-champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198. Shortly after winning the title, Miocic's dream was fulfilled, and the UFC scheduled him to defend his title in his own backyard on September 10. 


June 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic poses with fans prior to the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

If Miocic is to complete the fairytale and successfully defend his title in front of his home fans, he must beat formidable opposition in the form of the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix winner and former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Overeem. 

Who will come out of UFC 203 with the title? Find out on September 10.

CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall, UFC 203 | September 10

CM Punk, aka Phil Brooks, will put on the UFC gloves for the first time when he debuts against Mickey Gall. Punk's debut is nearly two years in the making, and the critics have been sniping away since he first signed a UFC contract back in September 2014. 


Jan. 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Former WWE star Phil CM Punk Brooks is the featured guest for the UFC 182 Q&A session Friday evening before the start of the weigh-ins at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

While much of the attention pre-fight has been on Punk, Gall said he sees this as his big opportunity, and that on September 10, he will be the one that leaves Quicken Loans Arena with a victory.

Can Punk prove the naysayers wrong? UFC 203 is when we will get our answer.

Cheick Kongo vs. Tony Johnson, Bellator 161 | September 16

Bellator MMA is heading back to the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Texas, on September 16 for Bellator 161. The main event will feature a heavyweight bout that pits Cheick Kongo against Tony Johnson in what should be a hard-hitting contest between two of Bellator's most powerful men.


May 17, 2014; Southaven, MS, USA; Eric Smith (red gloves) fights against Cheick Kongo (blue gloves) during BFC 120 at Landers Center. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

In his third straight Bellator main event and his ninth Bellator appearance, Kongo hopes to add to his two-fight winning streak and 6-2 record since joining the organization back in 2013. Standing 6-foot-4 inches, Kongo has a noticeable height advantage over Johnson, and will attempt to do what no man has done before in stopping Johnson inside the distance.

Will Kongo continue his good run or will Johnson pull off the upset? Make sure you don't miss Bellator 161 to find out.

Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Johnson, UFC Fight Night Hidalgo | September 17

Dustin Poirier has to be considered one of the UFC's sharpest fighters. Since moving up to the lightweight division, Poirier has strung together four wins against impressive opposition, including Carlos Diego Ferreira, Yancy Medeiros, Joseph Duffy, and Bobby Green.


June 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Bobby Green (blue) fights Dustin Poirier (red) during UFC 199 at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Poirier looks like a different animal at 155 pounds, but his fight on September 17 will be his toughest test yet. Michael Johnson hasn't fought since being defeated by Nate Diaz back in December 2015 at UFC on FOX 17. That evening, Johnson was soundly defeated, and since then, he's been back in the gym at Blackzilians working harder than ever. 

This should be a scrap between two of the UFC's best lightweights--you'd be a fool to miss it at UFC Fight Night Hidalgo.

Cris Cyborg vs. Lina Akhtar Lansberg, UFC Fight Night Brasilia | September 24

These days, Cris Cyborg could fight a trash can, and we'd all tune in to watch it. Cyborg provides must-watch TV, and on September 24, she will make her second UFC appearance against Lina Lansberg.

The fight will take place in the main event of UFC Fight Night Brasilia at the catchweight of 140 pounds. Lansberg will make her promotional debut after putting together six wins outside of the UFC while predominantly fighting in Europe. 


Photo Credit: UFC Brasilia

Lansberg enters the contest as an unknown quantity, but even those who know her background and pedigree seem to think this is a step too far for the newcomer. 

Will it be business as usual for Cyborg, or will Lansberg spring the upset? It's another can't-miss fight, and it will go down on September 24.