The UFC is close to finalizing a bantamweight fight between Cody Garbrandt and Raphael Assuncao on March 28 in Columbus, Ohio, multiple sources told ESPN.
Contracts have not been signed, but both sides have agreed to the 135-pound matchup. The UFC Fight Night event is set to take place at Nationwide Arena and will mark the promotion’s first trip there since 2009.
Garbrandt (11-3) is a former bantamweight champion. He won the belt in a spectacular performance against Dominick Cruz in December 2016, but has suffered three consecutive knockout losses since — two against former teammate TJ Dillashaw and one against Pedro Munhoz.
Despite the three-fight skid, Garbrandt, 28, is still considered one of the top talents in the division. A longtime member of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, Garbrandt has added a new wrinkle to his preparations for this fight, as he’s spending time with striking coach Mark Henry, who works with Frankie Edgar, Zabit Magomedsharipov and Corey Anderson, among others. Garbrandt is originally from Ohio.
Assuncao (27-7) has been one of the most consistent bantamweights of the past decade. He is 11-3 in his last 14 UFC bouts, including wins over Dillashaw, Munhoz, Aljamain Sterling and Marlon Moraes. Assuncao is looking to get back in the win column, however, after dropping back-to-back fights to Moraes and Cory Sandhagen.
A heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik is scheduled to headline the UFC Fight Night event.