UFC signs 2 potential fight night bouts for upcoming event

Dana White and the UFC have messed with matchmaking. Maybe it’s the if-you-don’t-know-now-you-know bit that White has been spreading on social media.

The location for the official UFC Fight Night event on Feb. 22 has not yet been announced, but two potentially packed bouts are slated for the card.

The primary match is a women’s heavyweight clash between top contenders. No. 4 Macy Chiasson will face No. 3 Ketlen Vieira in a match that could put the winner on top of a title shot.

I say “could” because even if Vieira wins, she probably needs another win to win the title because she lost a unanimous decision to Kayla Harrison at UFC 307. Chiasson would be in a much better position.

She is coming off a win over former title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva in her last fight. A win over Vieira could set Chiasson up for a rematch with Raquel Pennington or a fight with Norma Dumont.

In any case, Chiasson earned her continued bonus night performance and appears to be at her peak in terms of skill and enthusiasm.

Vieira lost to Harrison at UFC 307, but earned a lot of respect in the process. Vieira could have folded after Harrison had a dominant first round, but she came back to take the second frame, cut the gold medalist and make the fight competitive.

He will bring that moral victory into a fairly high-stakes battle with Chiasson. Also added to the card and likely in position to be named the co-main event, veteran Edson Barboza takes on the UFC’s newest KO artist, Steve Garcia.

Tapology’s Marcel Dorff first reported this matchup, which is potentially a banger.

Barboza is the definition of an all-action fighter. He is coming off a loss to Lerone Murphy in May, and that scrap earned him Fight of the Night. Garcia has been destroying opponents for the past two years.

Garcia has won five straight by KO and if Barboza fights like he usually does, there will be opportunities to extend his streak. That said, Barboza still has the speed and explosiveness to get the finish himself.

While it’s not official, it wouldn’t be surprising if Barboza-Garcia is the co-headliner. Stay tuned for more information on the location of the card and the remaining matches at the February 22nd event.

The upcoming UFC calendar

Before February or even the end of the month of November, the UFC has two huge shows. The first takes place on Saturday, November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

UFC 309 will feature UFC heavyweight champion and all-time great Jon Jones defending his title against former champion Stipe Miocic. Here’s a look at the entire card coming to MSG.

Full UFC 309 card

• Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
• Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
• Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
• Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva
• Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop
• Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
• Chris Weidman vs. Eric Anders
• Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
• David Onama vs. Roberto Romero
• Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz
• Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
• Oban Elliot v Basil Hafez
• Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura

Watch coverage of all UFC events during fight week.