Fake news? Nah, more like “fake tweet.”
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has its first official fight for its upcoming debut on ESPN+, courtesy of flyweights Paige VanZant and Rachel Ostovich, who collide on Jan. 19, 2019 inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
VanZant (7-4) is making her return to mixed martial arts (MMA) following an extended injury layoff. “12 Gauge” broke her arm in a losing effort against Jessica-Rose Clark earlier this year in St. Louis, then suffered additional complications that kept her benched for the remainder of the year.
As for Ostovich (4-4), The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 26 standout split her first two fights under the UFC banner. After tapping out Karine Gevorgyan at last December’s live finale, the Hawaiian got choked into submission by Montana De La Rosa back in July.
No other fights have been made official for the UFC on ESPN+ debut, but Geoff Neal is rumored to be fighting Belal Muhammad in welterweight action.
Stay tuned for more fight card announcements in the coming weeks, if not days.