Some new matchups are set for next month’s UFC on FOX 28 lineup.
They include former bantamweight champion Renan Barao (34-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) vs. Brian Kelleher (18-8 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and light heavyweights Sam Alvey (31-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) vs. Marcin Prachnio (13-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), UFC officials announced via orlandosentinel.com.
UFC on FOX 28 takes place Feb. 24 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., and it airs on FS1 following prelims on UFC Fight Pass. However, the full fight card and bout order, including the main event, haven’t been announced.
Barao has fallen on hard times since being the sport’s top 135-pound fighter. After losing his title to T.J. Dillashaw in 2014, the 30-year-old Brazilian is now stuck in a 2-4 skid, which included a decision loss to Aljamain Sterling in his most recent bout, which came at 140 pounds on the recommendation of the California State Athletic Commission.
He now meets Kelleher, a 31-year-old former Ring of Combat champion who’s on an 8-1 run, which included a UFC-debut win over ranked Iuri Alcantara in a “Performance of the Night” effort. After a subsequent submission loss to Marlon Vera, he rebounded in his most recent outing with a TKO victory over Damian Stasiak that earned “Fight of the Night” honors.
Alvey, who’s an injury replacement for injured Jake Collier (11-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC), was on a 5-1 run and inching toward title contention before a recent lackluster decision loss to Ramazan Emeev after missing weight for the short-notice bout.
He meets Prachnio, a 29-year-old promotional newcomer. The Polish fighter and ONE Championship vet brings an eight-fight winning streak (with six knockouts) into his UFC debut.
The latest UFC on FOX 28 card now includes:
For more on UFC on FOX 28, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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