Yonkers, NY — The 127th season at historic Yonkers Raceway at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts continues with a unique crossover event five years in the making, as former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira returns for a highly anticipated rematch against Hall of Fame harness racing driver Tim Tetrick.
Five years after surprising the harness racing world with an exhibition victory over Tetrick, Oliveira returns to the historic half-mile track for another friendly, but competitive showdown. This time, the event will be held as a Team Challenge, with Dan Dube, Yannick Gingras, and Pat Lachance joining Oliveira to compete as a team against Tetrick, Jordan Stratton, Lauren Tritton, and Jason Bartlett.
Video of their first race can be found here.
The Team Challenge exhibition is scheduled for Friday, May 8, at 8:15 p.m. (EDT). Prior to the race, Oliveira will host a meet-and-greet for fans at 5:15 p.m. trackside, offering a rare opportunity for both MMA and racing enthusiasts to connect with one of the sport’s most exciting figures.
Oliveira will look to remain undefeated at Yonkers Raceway while displaying his talent outside the octagon. Widely regarded as one of the most dynamic fighters, Oliveira holds the records for most submission wins and most finishes in UFC history.
Tetrick is one of the most celebrated drivers in American harness racing, with more than 14,000 career wins. A harness racing Hall of Famer, he set the North American record for wins in a single season in 2007 with 1,189, has won countless major stakes, and ranks third in all-time purse earnings for drivers with nearly $290 million.
“It’s not every day you get to compete against one of the best MMA fighters in history, I have been looking forward to this rematch for years, and it’s a special opportunity to be part of something unique for our sport and our fans,” said Tetrick.
Since Oliveira’s last appearance, Yonkers Raceway has undergone more than $1 million in upgrades, including resurfacing the track, enhancing paddock facilities, state-of-the-art LED lighting, and a multi-display LED infield tote board designed to elevate the fan experience.
The Tetrick-Oliveira Team Challenge is part of a full evening of racing, highlighted by the MGM Borgata Pacing Series final and the Ursula McIntyre Series final later that night. The Empire Terrace will be open to guests from 5 to 10 p.m., with a buffet available for $55.
Additional notable races this season include the MGM Yonkers Trot on Friday, June 26, and the MGM International Trot and New York Sire Stakes Day of Champions on Saturday, Sept. 12.
“We’re excited to welcome Charles back to showcase the enhancements we’ve made to the racing experience,” said Jonathan ‘Joe’ Frasure Jr., race secretary at Yonkers Raceway at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “This event reflects our commitment to delivering a world class competition and memorable fan experiences.”
For more information about Yonkers Raceway and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, please visit www.empirecitycasino.com.