A surging divisional up and comer will look to possibly crack the top-10 of the bantamweight division.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a matchup between Raphael Assuncao and Raoni Barcelos will take place at the UFC’s event on Feb. 27. Currently, a location or venue has been revealed for the scheduled fight card.
Sherdog was first to report the booking.
Assuncao will look to get back on track and snap a three-fight skid. After claiming victory in four consecutive bouts between 2017 and 2018, the 38-year-old has suffered defeats at hte hand of Marlon Moraes, Cory Sandhagen and, most recently, Cody Garbradt at UFC 250 in June. Assuncao holds promotional wins over the likes of Moraes, TJ Dillashaw, Aljamain Sterling and Rob Font.
Barcelos enters the contest a winner of nine straight—five of which took place in the octagon. The Brazilian standout holds UFC wins over Kurt Holobaugh, Chris Gutierrez, Carlos Huachin, Said Nurmagomedov and Khalid Taha. The 33-year-old was scheduled to face Merab Dvalishvili earlier this month, but the fight never took place due to Barcelos’ medical suspension from his most recent win over Taha.