A previously rumored lightweight clash between Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje is now official as the headliner for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s second card on ESPN network.
The Las Vegas-based promotion confirmed the lightweight matchup on Tuesday. UFC on ESPN 2 takes place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on March 30 and is also expected to include a strawweight clash between Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Michelle Waterson.
Barboza has compiled a 14-6 mark in the Octagon since beginning his promotional tenure in 2010. The Brazilian last competed at UFC on Fox 31, where he authored a devastating beatdown of Dan Hooker en route to a third-round knockout victory.
Gaethje, the former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion, has gone 2-2 in UFC competition after beginning his professional career with 17 consecutive wins. “The Highlight” is coming off a first-round knockout of James Vick at UFC Fight Night 135 on Aug. 25.