Get ready, fight fans! Two lightweights from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) are gearing up for a March showdown. They’re both looking to claw their way back into contention.
The bout will take place at the UFC Fight Night Event on March 16. The location? The UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The contenders? Thiago Moises (17-7) and Brad Riddell (10-4).
Word of this lightweight face-off first hit the scene on Wednesday night, thanks to Eurosport NL. By Thursday, Moises’ management team had confirmed the news.
Moises didn’t have the best end to his 2023 campaign. He was defeated by Benoit St. Denis at UFC Fight Night 226. The fight ended with Moises succumbing to strikes near the end of Round 2.
Despite this loss, Moises had previously been on a two-fight submission streak. He tapped Christos Giagos with a rear-naked choke and crushed Melquizael Costa’s face with a crank. Moises is known for his submission skills, and his last five outings have all ended inside the distance, whether he won or lost.
Riddell, on the other hand, has had a rough time recently. He suffered three stoppage losses in 2021 and 2022. After losing to Renato Carneiro, Riddell found himself on a three-bout losing streak. He announced he’d be stepping away from the sport for a while.
His hiatus will have lasted about 16 months. Now, at 32, Riddell is eager to get back to his winning ways. He had a promising start in the Octagon, with four initial wins. His decision over Drew Dober in 2021 even landed him a spot in the lightweight rankings.
The UFC Fight Night event on March 16 doesn’t have a headliner yet. But the Moises-Riddell fight is likely to be the highest-billed bout. There are also four other matches on the lineup.
Expect a welterweight scrap between Bryan Battle and Ange Loosa. There’s a flyweight contest with Ode Osbourne and Jafel Filho. Cory McKenna and Jaqueline Amorim will face off in a strawweight affair. And don’t miss the high-intensity collision between Christian Rodriguez and Isaac Dulgarian at 145 pounds.
So, buckle up! The UFC Apex in Las Vegas is set to host a night of thrilling fights.