The UFC 215 pay-per-view (PPV) event — which is slated to go down on Sept. 9, 2017 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — is starting to take shape, as an intriguing Featherweight bout between Gilbert Melendez and Jeremy Stephens is close to being finalized.
That’s according to Damon Martin, who broke the news earlier today (Sun., July 2, 2017).
BREAKING: Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert Melendez at featherweight in the works for UFC 215 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sept 9. #UFC
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 3, 2017
Gilbert hasn’t stepped foot inside the Octagon since losing to Edson Barboza at UFC on Fox 20 in July of 2016, which marked the third straight loss for the former Strikeforce Lightweight champion of the world.
“El Nino” had previously teased a drop down to 145 pounds on the heels of his skid, and now it seems it will become a reality as he looks to pick up his first win since 2013.
There to welcome him in his new wight class will be “Lil Heathen,” who is riding a two-fight losing streak himself, losing to Renato Moicana and Frankie Edgar in consecutive featherweight contests. With both Melendez and Stephens needing wins in a big way, expect the heard-hitting brawlers to lay it all on the line come fight night.
UFC 215 currently has two other fights attached to it, as Junior dos Santos has been booked to face Frances Ngannou in Heavyweight action, while Thiago Alves and Mike Perry will tango in an interesting Welterweight bout.
For more on those bouts click here and here.