You've probably seen the trash talk clips or maybe just that intense face-off on your feed. Combat sports are having a massive moment right now, but let's be real—the hardest part of being a fan is usually just figuring out when to actually sit on the couch. Time zones are a nightmare. Schedules change. If you're asking at what time is the fight tonight, you’re likely looking for one of two major cards happening this Friday, January 16, 2026.
We have a massive domestic grudge match in Australia and a high-stakes rematch in California. Whether you're in Sydney, London, or New York, the timing is everything if you don't want to miss the walkouts.
Nikita Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa: The Australian Blockbuster
This is the one everyone is talking about. It’s personal. It’s bitter. Nikita Tszyu is looking to uphold the family legacy at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, while Michael Zerafa is trying to prove he’s still the "kryptonite" for the Tszyu clan.
The main card is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM AEDT.
If you are in Australia, that's the magic number. However, the main event—Tszyu vs. Zerafa—isn't going to happen the second the broadcast starts. Usually, with a five-fight main card, you’re looking at the headliners making their ring walks around 10:00 PM AEDT.
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For the Americans and Europeans trying to catch this one, the time difference is a bit of a brain-twister. In New York (EST), the main card starts at 3:00 AM. Basically, you're either staying up very late or waking up very early with a coffee in hand.
Quick Breakdown of Times for Tszyu vs. Zerafa
- Sydney/Melbourne (AEDT): Main Card 7:00 PM | Main Event ~10:00 PM
- Brisbane (AEST): Main Card 6:00 PM | Main Event ~9:00 PM
- Perth (AWST): Main Card 4:00 PM | Main Event ~7:00 PM
- London (GMT): Main Card 8:00 AM | Main Event ~11:00 AM
- New York (EST): Main Card 3:00 AM | Main Event ~6:00 AM
Golden Boy's Rematch: Alexis Rocha vs. Raul Curiel 2
If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and don't fancy a 4:00 AM boxing session, the Golden Boy card at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert is your go-to. This one is airing on DAZN.
The main card is set to kick off at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET.
Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel are settling a score that’s been simmering since their first fight ended in a controversial draw. The undercard features some heavy hitters too, including Manuel "Gucci Manny" Flores. If you want to see the main event specifically, expect Rocha and Curiel to hit the ring around 8:00 PM PT / 11:00 PM ET.
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What About MMA and Other Cards?
It’s a busy night. ONE Championship is also running ONE Friday Fights 138 out of Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. This is a Muay Thai-heavy card with some MMA mixed in. Because it's in Thailand, it broadcasts in "Asia Primetime."
For US viewers, that means a very early start. The ONE card usually begins around 7:30 AM ET / 4:30 AM PT. If you missed it, the replays are generally up on their app or YouTube pretty quickly, but watching live Muay Thai with breakfast is a vibe.
Also, keep an eye on the local scene. There’s a Santino Bros. pro wrestling "Fight Night" in Azusa, California, starting at 8:00 PM PT. It's not boxing or MMA, but if you're in SoCal and want live combat entertainment, that's an option.
Why the Timing Always Feels "Off"
Honestly, boxing is notorious for "TBD" start times. Promoters give a start time for the broadcast, but the actual main event depends entirely on how long the undercard fights last. If some prospect gets a 30-second knockout in the first fight, everything moves up. If we get four back-to-back split decisions that go the distance, you might be waiting an extra hour for the main event.
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At what time is the fight tonight? Technically, the action starts as early as 7:30 AM ET with ONE Championship and rolls all the way through the night until the West Coast card ends around midnight.
Actionable Steps for Fight Night
To make sure you don't miss the first bell, here is what you should do right now:
- Check your subscription: Ensure your Kayo (for Tszyu) or DAZN (for Rocha) login is working. There is nothing worse than trying to reset a password while the national anthem is playing.
- Set a "Buffer Alarm": Don't set your alarm for the main event time. Set it for 30 minutes prior. Main events have a habit of starting early if the undercard is a "blink-and-you-miss-it" affair.
- Verify the Time Zone: If you're traveling, double-check if your phone updated. Australia has multiple time zones (AEDT vs AEST), and missing that one-hour difference is a classic mistake.
- Sync with Socials: Follow the promoters (Golden Boy or No Limit Boxing) on X (formerly Twitter). They usually post "Walkway Alert" or "Up Next" posts which are much more accurate than a static TV guide.
Enjoy the fights. It’s rare we get two high-quality cards on the same Friday, so it's a good night to be a fan.