An exciting bantamweight showdown is heading to the octagon in March.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a matchup between Julia Avila and Julija Stoliarenko will take place at the the UFC’s event on March 20. As of now, a location or venue has yet to be announced for the fight card.
Avila will look to bounce back after having her four-fight winning streak snapped by Sijara Eubanks at UFC Vegas 10 in September. “Raging Panda” was victorious in her first two octagon appearances earning a unanimous decision over Pannie Kianzad at UFC 239, and a 22-second stoppage win over Gina Mazany at June’s UFC on ESPN 10 event.
Stoliarenko got her second chance with the UFC when she took on Yana Kunitskaya in August at UFC Vegas 6. The 27-year-old lost a unanimous decision which put a halt to the Ultimate Fighter 28 competitor’s five-fight winning streak. Before her octagon return, Stoliarenko competed in one of the best fights of 2020 against Lisa Verzosa, earning a split decision in the main event of Invicta FC: Phoenix Series 3 to capture the promotion’s vacant bantamweight title.
The UFC’s March 20 event will be headlined by a middleweight bout between Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland.