Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
UFC 256 loses one fight, but looks to be adding two others.
UFC 256 is scheduled to take place on December 12th at a location To Be Determined (most likely the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas). That event is expected to be headlined by a UFC featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson.
According to MMA Fighting the UFC is attempting to add another women’s bout featuring strawweight jiu-jitsu specialists Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba. That outlet has also reported that a welterweight bout between Li Jingliang and Dwight Grant has also been added to the card.
Dern’s last fight was at the UFC APEX last month. There she beat Randa Markos via armbar and scooped a Performance of the Night bonus for her efforts. That was Dern’s second submission in a row, after she beat Hannah Cifers with a kneebar in May. Those wins took Dern’s record to 9-1.
Jandiroba (16-1) is a former Invicta FC champion. Last time out, at UFC 252 in August, she beat Felice Herrig with an armbar. Before that she choked out Mallory Martin and took her first pro loss versus Carla Esparza.
Jingliang (23-6) lost to Neil Magny at UFC 248 in March. The loss snapped a three fight winning streak that included victories over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (TKO), David Zawada (TKO) and Daichi Abe (decision).
Grant (10-3) is a Contender Series alum who appeared on the show in 2018. He debuted with a loss to Zak Ottow that year, but then put together back-to-back wins over Carlo Pedersoli and Alan Jouban. He lost to Daniel Rodriguez in his last fight.
One fight that is no longer scheduled for UFC 256 is Carla Esparza vs. Amanda Ribas. According to MMA Fighting that bout has fallen through. However, Ribas is expected to stay on the card versus a new opponent.
Ribas (11-1) impressed in her last fight, beating Paige VanZant by armbar. Since joining the UFC in 2019, Ribas is perfect with 4 wins over opponents that include Emily Whitmire, Mackenzie Dern and Randa Markos.