Jessica Andrade has agreed to face flyweight rival Erin Blanchfield on late notice at UFC Vegas 69 on Sunday.
After an action-packed UFC 284 card in in Perth, Australia last weekend when Islam Makhachev defended his lightweight title against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, it's back to Las Vegas for Fight Night 219.
This card was initially set to be headlined by bantamweights Marlon Vera and Cory Sandgagen but that bout has now been moved on to 25th March.
As a result, the UFC announced that #1 ranked flyweight Talia Santos and Blanchfield, who is ranked #10, would top the bill.
However, Santos withdrew just a week ahead of the event for personal reasons and #3 Andrade has agreed to step in.
Andrade, priced at 10/17 To Win, is competing for the second time this year after sealing a convincing unanimous decision victory over Lauren Murphy at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro on 21st January.
The Brazilian, who is a former strawweight champion, is looking to secure another shot at flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, having lost to the 'The Bullet' when they met at UFC 261 in April 2021.
Blanchfield, available at 7/5 To Win, also has her sights firmly set on Shevchenko after winning all four of her trips to the octagon since making her UFC debut in 2021.
The American is riding a seven-fight winning streak with each of her last two victories coming via submission.
What | Jessica Andrade v Erin Blanchfield - UFC Vegas 69 |
Where | UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada, USA |
When | 00:00, Sunday 19th February 2023 |
How to watch | BT Sport 2 |
Odds | Jessica Andrade 10/17, Erin Blanchfield 7/5 |
The UFC Vegas 69 main card takes place on Sunday 19th February.
The preliminary card gets underway at 21:00 on Saturday 18th February but the main card starts at 00:00, with Andrade and Blanchfield expected to walk to the Octagon at around 02:30.
The UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada plays host to the card.
The Apex is a purpose-built arena owned by the UFC and has hosted live events since May 2020, with Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns headlining the maiden card.
There were 20 Fight Night cards at the Apex in 2022 and this will be the third to take place at the venue this year.
However, UFC president Dana White has suggested they will look to stage events around the United States and across the rest of the world on a more regular basis this year.
WATCH: Adam Catterall's 2023 UFC preview
UFC 286 Fight Card: When, UK Time and how to watch live
Yes. Both the preliminary card and the main card are available to watch on BT Sport 2.
Despite accepting the fight on just a week's notice, Andrade is rated as the 10/17 favourite To Win this contest. Blanchfield can be backed as the 7/5 underdog.
No. There aren't any belts on the line when Andrade and Blanchfield meet, however, the winner could be next in line for a shot at the title.
Flyweight champion Shevchenko is set to make the eighth defence of her belt against Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 on 4th March.
33 fights, 24 wins (9 KOs), 9 defeats.
11 fights, 10 wins (2 KOs), 1 defeat.
Main card:
Jordan Wright v Zac Pauga
Josh Parisian v Jamal Pogues
William Knight v Marcin Prachnio
Jim Miller v Alexander Hernandez
Preliminary card:
Lina Lansberg v Mayra Bueno Silva
Jamall Emmers v Khusein Askhabov
Ovince Saint Preux v Philipe Lins
Nazim Sadykhov v Evan Elder
A.J. Fletcher v Themba Gorimbo
Clayton Carpenter v Juancamilo Ronderos
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