LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 08: UFC President Dana White speaks to the media after the UFC 290 event at … [+]
UFC Tampa has gone through a lot of changes.
As it is, the December 14th card is finalized for now. Dana White and Co. have added two bouts to the card, bringing the fight lineup to 14.
Miranda Maverick was originally scheduled to face Tracy Cortez, but the latter cannot compete due to injury. Instead of missing the card, Maverick will face Jamey-Lyn Horth, who is coming off a win over Ivana Petrovic, on Nov. 2 in Edmonton.
Maverick wanted a ranked opponent like Cortez, who is #12.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Miranda Maverick reacts after her victory against Andrea Lee in a … [+]
However, due to the short time before UFC Tampa, she could not find an opponent that would allow her to earn a ranking with a win. Miles Johns is another fighter who has undergone some changes over the past few days.
Johns was originally set to fight former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC Vegas 100. Garbrandt had to withdraw from the card due to injury, leaving Johns unopposed.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 23: Miles Johns reacts after his victory over Dan Argueta in a … [+]
Garbrandt’s withdrawal pushed Johns off the November 9 card. However, Johns recovered for UFC Tampa against Felipe Lima. In June, Lima made a big impression in his UFC debut.
The 26-year-old Brazilian scored a third-round victory over Muhammad Naimov. Lima earned a performance bonus for his win.
In addition to the new fights, there is a men’s flyweight scrap between Manel Kape and Bruno Silva. A win for Kape could put him within a win or two of title contention.
Featured from Season 8 of the Dana White Contender Series, Navajo Stirling makes his main roster debut against Tuco Tokko. Keep an eye on the Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo clash.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – APRIL 21: (L-R) Cub Swanson fights Frankie Edgar in their featherweight fight … [+]
While neither veteran is a title contender at this point in their careers, both have earned Fight of the Night honors. In Swanson’s long WEC-UFC career, he has earned 10 FOTN bonuses.
At one point, Swanson won three FOTNs in a row. The UFC would love for Swanson to have another memorable fight.
The UFC has lined up a huge welterweight clash in the main event. Ian Machado Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley could be a battle for the future lightweight champions.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Ian Garry of Ireland reacts after his split decision victory … [+]
Garry and Buckley have the talent and youth to make a strong run to the Championship together. The winner will be in a great position to challenge the No. 1 or the champion.
Here’s a look at the full fight schedule for UFC Tampa.
- Ian Machado Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley – Lightweight
- Amanda Ribas vs. Mackenzie Dern – Women’s Strawweight
- Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo – Featherweight
- Drakkar Klose vs. Joel Alvarez – Lightweight
- Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar – Lightweight
- Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth – Women’s Flyweight
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino – Lightweight
- Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson – Women’s Strawweight
- Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos – Lightweight
- Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras – Bantamweight
- Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva – Men’s Flyweight
- Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla – Featherweight
- Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yanez – Bantamweight
- Miles Johns vs. Felipe Lima – Featherweight