Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is targeting an intriguing featherweight matchup between rising contender Zabit Magomedsharipov and veteran Jeremy Stephens for UFC 235 on Mar. 2 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, per a recent report by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Jeremy Stephens is in the works for UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas, multiple sources told ESPN. The fight isn’t finalized just yet but moving in the right direction. https://t.co/KT5Nnegh1V
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 16, 2018
Magomedsharipov, 27, is coming off an impressive modified kneebar submission over Brandon Davis back at UFC 228. The man known as “ZaBeast” has looked downright unstoppable since his UFC debut back in 2017, recording a 4-0 record with three finishes since then. Stephens will be Zabit’s biggest competition to date, but it’s a friendly matchup for the Russian striker as he tries to lock down a title shot sometime in 2019.
Stephens, 32, just got done losing to former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo via TKO back in July. Before that loss, “Lil Heathen” racked off three-straight victories at 145 pounds, including knockout finishes over Josh Emmett and Doo Ho Choi. While this matchup would be Stephens’ 30th fight inside of the Octagon the hard-hitting contender still remains one of the most dangerous outs in the division.
While UFC 235 currently has no main event in place, the PPV card is expected to feature the Octagon debut of newly acquired welterweight contender Ben Askren and the long-awaited return of MMA favorite Nick Diaz.
For more UFC 235 fight card news click here.