Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Cortney Casey vs. Mara Romero Borella, Don’Tale Mayes vs. Rodrigo Nascimento and Giga Chikadze vs. Mike Davis were all reportedly added to the card.
The UFC Fight Night 176 card is quickly taking shape as the company has little time to waste. Per Combate’s report, three more fights were just added to the May 16 card, although it is unclear if all foreign fighters are already in the United States and are thus eligible to compete in Florida.
According to the report, a female flyweight fight between Cortney Casey and Mara Romero Borella, a heavyweight bout between Don’Tale Mayes and Rodrigo Nascimento, and a featherweight match between Giga Chikadze and Mike Davis were all added to the upcoming card.
Originally scheduled to take on Lara Procopio on the same day, back when the card was meant to take place in San Diego, California, Cortney Casey (8-7) has lost three out of her last four outings, dropping decisions to Cynthia Calvillo, Michelle Waterson and Felice Herrig. The 32-year-old’s last win happened in August 2018, when she edged out Angela Hill via split decision.
In the exact same situation as her opponent, Mara Romero Borella (12-7-2 NC) also lost three of her last four, including losses to Katlyn Chookagian, Lauren Murphy and Montana De La Rosa. Her last win came in February 2019, when she bested Taila Santos by way of split decision.
Rising featherweight Giga Chikadze (9-2) will look for his third straight win in the UFC, after defeating both Brandon Davis and Jamall Emmers via split decision. The 31-year-old’s last loss happened in an episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, in June 2018, when he was tapped out by Austin Springer.
After a completely dominant performance against Thomas Gifford, which he won via knockout, Mike Davis (8-2) will look to begin his first win streak in the UFC after being tapped out by Gilbert Burns in his debut, in a fight the 27-year-old took on short notice.
Heavyweight prospect Don’Tale Mayes (7-3) will look for his first win in the Octagon after being tapped out by Cyril Gane in his debut, back in October 2019. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Nascimento (7-0) will finally see his UFC debut after having it postponed twice before, once because of an injury and the other time because of the coronavirus pandemic, when he was expected to meet Mayes back on April 11.
All three fights are expected to take place at UFC Fight Night 176, on May 16, in Jacksonville, Florida. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a heavyweight bout between contenders Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris.