A welterweight showdown between Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny is currently in the works for the upcoming UFC card on Jan. 20 in Abu Dhabi.
Multiple sources confirmed to MMA Fighting that verbal agreements are in place for the matchup following an initial report from ESPN.
Since moving to welterweight, Chiesa has gone undefeated with three consecutive wins over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez and Rafael dos Anjos. The former Ultimate Fighter winner hasn’t fought since January when he dispatched dos Anjos by unanimous decision.
As for Magny, he’s also riding a three-fight win streak with a trio of bouts taking place during 2020. Magny started off the year with a win over Li Jingliang followed by decision victories against Anthony Rocco Martin and former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.
Following his win over Lawler, Magny was attempting to land a fight with highly-touted prospect Khamzat Chimaev but the fight never came together. Now it appears Magny will face Chiesa instead as part of three cards taking place from Jan. 16 to Jan. 23 in Abu Dhabi.
The Jan. 20 show will be headlined by a separate welterweight fight as Chimaev takes on Leon Edwards, who is currently riding an eight-fight win streak in the division.