The return of ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” can’t come soon enough, right? Well, the network powers that be are in the process of planning the early part of the new season.

Although the bouts are not yet set, the first three cards have dates, sites and promoters.

The new season will open Jan. 9 at the Chumash resort in Santa Ynez, California, with a card promoted by Gary Shaw.

The second card will be Jan. 16 at the Turning Stone resort in Verona, New York, with a show promoted by Artie Pelullo’s Banner Promotions. The main event will feature the return of Petr Petrov (35-4-2, 17 KOs) in his first bout since winning ESPN's 2014 Boxcino lightweight tournament in May with an eighth-round knockout of Fernando Carcamo. Petrov likely will face Juan Carlos Burgos (30-2-2, 20), who has not fought since a lopsided decision loss challenging then-junior lightweight titleholder Mikey Garcia in January.

The third card will take place at the Foxwoods resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut, on Jan. 30. The promoter will be Main Events, whose exclusive deal with NBC Sports Net expires in December and was not renewed.