[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2tA2MK2X9k&w=560&h=315]
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. Two
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweights on the outside of
the top 10 looking in are going to dance in December. The news of the matchup first coming from coach Ray Longo on the
Anik and
Florian podcast, Merab
Dvalishvili (12-4) will remain on the
Dec. 5 UFC Fight Night card, and he will be meeting surging
contender Raoni
Barcelos (16-1) at bantamweight. Dvalishvili was
originally slated to take on Cody
Stamann, but a positive COVID-19 test scuttled the pairing.
Dvalishvili has hinted at the
upcoming matchup earlier this week, and it has been since confirmed
by
other
outlets.
Barcelos recorded a win at UFC on ESPN 17 in November, taking a
thrilling decision in a “Fight of the Night” scrap against Khalid
Taha. The victory extended the Brazilian’s win streak to nine,
with five triumphs inside the Octagon to date. Barcelos made his
debut by rattling off three finishes over Kurt
Holobaugh, Chris
Gutierrez and Carlos
Huachin. Since then, the fast-paced bantamweight has taken
decisions over Said
Nurmagomedov and the aforementioned Taha.
Like Barcelos, Dvalishvili has also won his last five UFC bouts.
Unlike his newfound foe, all five have come on the scorecards.
Rebounding from his first career stoppage loss, a technical
submission defeat to Ricky Simon
at the five-minute mark of the final round – a UFC non-title record
– the Georgian has notched wins over the likes of Brad Katona,
Casey
Kenney and John Dodson
along the way.
The UFC Fight Night event on Dec. 5 will take place at the UFC Apex
in Las Vegas, and its headliner also experienced a shakeup as
Jack
Hermansson will now fight Kevin
Holland at middleweight. Also featured on the card is a light
heavyweight battle as Ovince St.
Preux squares off with Jamahal
Hill.
