Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Alexander Pantoja is set to take on undefeated Askar Akarov in July.
Ranked flyweights Alexandre Pantoja and Askar Askarov are set to meet at a UFC event on July 18th.
Askarov revealed the bout on social media, and MMA Fighting has since confirmed the news. The UFC has yet to officially announce the fight. The event, which is without a location or venue, could take place on “Fight Island,” as Dana White recently detailed his plans to host multiple events there all of July.
A former contest on The Ultimate Fighter season 24, Pantoja (22-4) has became one of the best fighters at 125-pounds. The Brazilian has lost just two of his eight UFC fights. In his last fight Pantoja picked up a knockout win over Matt Schnell at UFC Busan. “The Cannibal” has finished four of five UFC wins.
Former ACB flyweight champion Askarov (11-0-1) is undefeated in his professional career. The Russian signed with the UFC last year, where he fought to a draw with Brandon Moreno in his debut. He picked up his first UFC win at the start of this year against Tim Elliott, which he won by decision.
The UFC event on July 18th will be headlined by a flyweight title rematch between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo.