The UFC is finalizing a bantamweight contest between Umar Nurmagomedov and Raoni Barcelos for early next year, multiple sources told ESPN.
The 135-pound bout is being targeted for UFC Fight Night on Jan. 14, which is expected to take place at the Apex in Las Vegas.
Nurmagomedov (15-0), 26, will look to build on his 3-0 record in the UFC. He is a younger cousin of UFC Hall of Famer and retired lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov went 2-0 in 2022. The Dagestani fighter has recorded finishes in two of his three UFC victories and has already climbed into the No. 12 spot on the UFC’s bantamweight rankings.
Barcelos (17-3), who fights out of Rio de Janeiro, is an eight-fight veteran of the UFC. He holds notable UFC wins over Chris Gutierrez, Said Nurmagomedov and Trevin Jones.
A middleweight fight between Kelvin Gastelum and Nassourdine Imavov is expected to headline the event.