Thanksgiving is the perfect time to grab a plate, sit back and enjoy all of the weekend’s best matchups. As the changing leaves give way to early snowfall, sports fan catch all of the best action in the realm of basketball, football, boxing, mixed martial arts and much more. In fact, there’s so much going on that it’ll be easy to miss out on some of the best games and matches. Fortunately, Def Pen has you covered. Here are the ten best fights, matches and games during the holiday weekend.
Purdue Boilermakers v. Marquette Golden Eagles
Time: 5 p.m. EST
Date: Wednesday, November 22
Location: Lahaina Civic Center (Lahaina, HI)
Network: ESPN
Boston Celtics v. Milwaukee Bucks
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Date: Wednesday, November 22
Location: TD Garden (Boston, MA)
Network: ESPN
Seattle Seahawks v. San Francisco 49ers
Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
Date: Thursday, November 23
Location: Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Network: NBC
Oregon Ducks v. Oregon State Beavers
Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
Date: Friday, November 24
Location: Autzen Stadium (Eugene, OR)
Network: FOX
Just last week, the Oregon State Beavers were two points away from dethroning the unbeaten Washington Huskies. This week, they’ll travel to Autzen Stadium in hopes of upsetting their arch rivals in Eugene, Oregon. Meanwhile, the Ducks can secure a spot in the Pac-12 Championship in Las Vegas next week with a win against their rivals. There will be no love lost when both the Beavers and the Ducks meet on Friday night.
2023 PFL World Championships
Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
Date: Friday, November 24
Location: The Anthem (Washington, DC)
Network: ESPN PPV ($49.99)
Typically, there is a bit of a lull between the end of Thursday Night Football on Thanksgiving and the state of Rivalry Week in college football. Fortunately, there is no such thing in 2023. On Friday evening, sports fans not only can watch Oregon and Oregon State go to battle, but they also can watch some of the best mixed martial artists go toe-to-toe for a $1 million prize at the 2023 PFL World Championships. Fresh off of their acquisition of Bellator, the PFL will put Clay Collard in the cage with Olivier Aubin-Mercier for the lightweight title. Kayla Harrison will return to fight Aspen Ladd in a catchweight bout. Not to mention, Derek Brunson will make his PFL debut after leaving the UFC. Simply put, there will be a lot of action-packed violence at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on Friday, November 24.
Ohio State Buckeyes v. Michigan Wolverines
Time: 12 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, November 25
Location: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI)
Network: FOX
Colorado Buffaloes v. NC State Wolfpack
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, November 25
Location: UVI Sports & Fitness Center (Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands)
Network: ESPN+
In early April, the 2022-2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Season came to a climatic end as LSU dethroned Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes en route to the team’s first national title. Months later, things picked back up right where they left off. In a matter of weeks, LSU, Iowa and UConn all suffered unexpected losses, Angel Reese has been benched and Azzi Fudd is out for the season. This weekend, the entertaining drama that is women’s college basketball will continue as the third-ranked Colorado Buffaloes will put their unbeaten record on the line against fellow unbeaten and tenth-ranked NC State.
Chantelle Cameron v. Katie Taylor
Time: 2 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, November 25
Location: 3Arena (Dublin, Ireland)
Network: DAZN
Saturday isn’t just for college football. Katie Taylor seeks to avenge the only loss of her legendary career by taking down undefeated undisputer super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron. With her home nation of Ireland behind her at 3Arena, she believes that she has what it takes to dethrone the young, upstart. Meanwhile, Cameron is telling reporters that the previously unbeaten champion isn’t “going to stand a chance” in her second homecoming bout. At the end of ten rounds, only one women will be right. So, who’s it going to be?
David Benavidez v. Demetrius Andrade
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, November 25
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Network: Showtime PPV ($74.99)
Some people say boxing is a dying sport, but something about people punching other people in the face is something that will never lose it’s appeal within society. Capping off an outstanding run of marquee fights in 2023, David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade will meet in a battle of unbeaten super middleweights. Benavidez enters the fight as the favorite and with something to prove as he continues to push for a fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Similarly, Andrade enters the bout as a unbeaten, two-division champion who could push himself into Pound For Pound discussions, a fight with Alvarez and much more if he’s able to emerge victorious against the toughest opponent of his career by far.
Philadelphia Eagles v. Buffalo Bills
Time: 4:25 p.m. EST
Date: Sunday, November 26
Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Network: CBS
There’s nothing better than ending a long, holiday weekend with four quarters of professional football. On Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills will travel to Lincoln Financial Field with the NFC’s leading contender, the Philadelphia Eagles. After shooting out to a 3-1 record to start to the season, the Bills have dropped four of their last seven, including losses to the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. While Josh Allen and company were able to bounce back with a dominant performance against the lowly New York Jets, they still sit outside of the playoff picture in the AFC and behind the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East. Buffalo may not entirely be in “must win” mode, but they aren’t far from it heading into the final stretch of the season. Unfortunately, they need to grab a win against the league’s best team. Jalen Hurts and company not only have the league’s best record, but they are riding high after a standout win on the road against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. In short, there’s a talented team who needs a win going up against a team that seemingly can’t lose. It’ll be a fun afternoon in the City of Brotherly Love after turkey, stuffing and macaroni and cheese are consumed.
