A pair of new fights have recently joined UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2023. The new bookings are now part of UFC 283, which is scheduled to take place on January 21st from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bonfim To Make Debut Against McKinney
Explosive bantamweight Terrance McKinney will face UFC newcomer Ismael Bonfim, as first announced Monday.
Bonfim is joining the UFC roster with an impressive record of 18 wins and three losses. The LFA alum earned a contract in September, overcoming Nariman Abbasov via decision on “Dana White’s Contender Series.”
McKinney will be looking to continue his finish-heavy run in the promotion. He has scored three wins through his four UFC appearances thus far, with all fights ending within the first round. His last performance came against Erick Gonzalez, who he submitted in the first round with a rear naked choke.
Almeida vs. Abdurakhimov Attempted Again
A heavyweight bout between Jailton Almeida and Shamil Abdurakhimov has been re-booked. The fight, which was attempted twice this year, will now land in early 2023. News of the matchup was first announced by the UFC this week.
The booking of this heavyweight bout comes after Almeida’s November 5th fight against Maxim Grishin was scrapped this week.
Almeida has earned two wins since moving to heavyweight this year. His last victory came against short-notice opponent Anton Turkalj, who he submitted in the first round of a bout in September.
Abdurakhimov will be fighting for his first win since 2019 in the appearance. He has suffered three consecutive losses in recent years, with all bouts ending in a finish.
Updated Lineup
A fourth clash between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno is currently scheduled to headline UFC 283. Here’s how the show looks right now:
Bout 9: Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2-1) vs. Brandon Moreno (20-6-2) (UFC Flyweight Championship)
Bout 8: Brad Tavares (19-7) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (13-4) (Middleweight)
Bout 7: Mauricio Rua (27-13-1) vs. Ihor Potieria (18-3) (Light Heavyweight)
Bout 6: Paul Craig (16-5-1) vs. Johnny Walker (19-7) (Light Heavyweight)
Bout 5: Gabriel Bonfim (13-0) vs. Mounir Lazzez (11-2) (Welterweight)
Bout 4: Josiane Nunes (9-1) vs. Zarah Fairn (6-4) (Featherweight)
Bout 3: Jessica Andrade (23-9) vs. Lauren Murphy (16-5) (Flyweight)
Bout 2: Terrance McKinney (13-4) vs. Ismae Bonfim (18-3) (Lightweight)
Bout 1: Jailton Almeida (17-2) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-7) (Heavyweight)
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