The UFC is targeting an important strawweight fight between Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez to headline a card in October, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Contracts have not been signed, but the 115-pound contest is close to being finalized, sources told ESPN.
The fight is expected to headline UFC Fight Night on Oct. 9, at a location to be determined.
Rodriguez and Dern are the Nos. 5- and 6-ranked strawweights, respectively, in UFC.
Dern (11-1) has been on a tear since returning to the sport after giving birth to her first child in 2019. She went 3-0 in 2020 with two finishes, including a first-round armbar finish over Nina Nunes in April.
Rodriguez (14-1-2), of Brazil, is coming off a five-round unanimous decision over Michelle Waterson in May. She has surged up the 115-pound rankings with victories over Waterson and Amanda Ribas. She is 4-1-2 overall in the UFC.