UFC has announced the first four fights for an event in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on July 18. In the middleweight division, Brad Tavares (16-12 UFC) will meet Marc-Andre Barriault (6-10 UFC). At heavyweight, Alvin Hines (0-1 UFC) faces Allen Fry Jr. (0-1 UFC). In women's bantamweight, Dione Barbosa (3-2 UFC) takes on Veronica Hardy (5-5 UFC). Amanda Ribas (7-6 UFC) meets Fatima Klein (3-1 UFC) in women's strawweight. The post asks who should headline the event and which fighters belong in the main card.
The UFC has confirmed the first four matchups for its Oklahoma City card scheduled for July 18, with bouts spanning middleweight, heavyweight, women's bantamweight, and women's strawweight.
Brad Tavares headlines the middleweight pairing opposite Marc-Andre Barriault. The 38-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture carries a professional record of 21-13 and has gone 16-12 inside the UFC octagon. Standing six-foot-one with a 74-inch reach, the orthodox striker averages 3.41 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy, making him a reliable volume fighter at 185 pounds.
At heavyweight, Alvin Hines and Allen Fry Jr. meet in a matchup between two fighters each carrying a 0-1 UFC record, giving both men a chance to avoid an 0-2 start to their promotional runs.
The women's bantamweight bout features Dione "The Witch" Barbosa against Veronica Hardy. Barbosa, 34, trains out of Kings MMA and holds a 9-4 record. The Brazilian is a well-rounded threat, averaging 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.7 submission attempts in the same window, and connects at 45 percent striking accuracy. Hardy, a 30-year-old Venezuelan southpaw from Renzo Gracie Academy, comes in at 10-5-1 and brings more striking volume at 3.06 significant strikes per minute, matching Barbosa's 45 percent accuracy.
Rounding out the announced card, Amanda Ribas returns to the women's strawweight division to face Fatima Klein. Ribas holds a 7-6 UFC record, while Klein steps in at 3-1 in the promotion.
Why it matters
- Tavares vs. Barriault is the most experienced matchup on the card and a logical headliner candidate given their combined UFC tenure
- Barbosa's grappling-heavy output against Hardy's striking volume sets up a clear style contrast at 135 pounds
- Both heavyweight competitors are looking to avoid an 0-2 UFC record, adding urgency to that contest
- The card's headliner and main card order remain open questions as further bouts are expected to be announced
