UFC 321 simply obtained some extra star energy added to the cardboard.
The promotion introduced the addition of a bantamweight bout between ranked contenders on the upcoming pay-per-view occasion in October, with doable championship implications at stake.
UFC president Dana White broke the information on social media that Umar Nurmagomedov will tackle Mario Bautista when motion will get underway in October.
For Nurmagomedov, it’s going to be his first struggle since January, when he fell in need of dethroning Merab Dvalishvili for the 135-pound title. The unanimous choice loss additionally put an finish to the Dagestani’s 6-0 begin within the UFC, knocking his general document right down to 18-1-0 as a professional.
Bautista, in the meantime, enters the Abu Dhabi card on the heels of an eight-fight win streak. His most up-to-date victory got here towards former Bellator champion Patchy Combine in his promotional debut at UFC 316.
A victory towards a former title contender within the No. 2-ranked Nurmagomedov may very well be precisely what Bautista — ranked eighth within the division — must propel himself into the championship dialog.
Dvalishvili is scheduled for his third title defence bout towards fourth-ranked Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, and both end result would current the promotion with intriguing alternatives.
A Sandhagen win would open the door for a rematch towards Nurmagomedov, who beat the would-be champ again in 2024. In the meantime, ought to Dvalishvili retain his title, Bautista presents a brand new problem, contemplating the Georgian has cleaned home atop the 135-pound ladder.
UFC 321 on Oct. 25 at Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi shall be headlined by a heavyweight title bout between champion Tom Aspinall and top-ranked contender Ciryl Gane, whereas Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will struggle for the just lately vacated strawweight belt.
