The UFC has announced the first four fights for UFC Oklahoma City, scheduled for July 18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Brad Tavares (16-12 UFC) will face Mark-Andre Barriault (6-10 UFC) at middleweight. Alvin Hines (0-1 UFC) will meet Allen Fry Jr. (0-1 UFC) at heavyweight. Dione Barbosa (3-2 UFC) is set to fight Veronica Hardy (5-5 UFC) in the women's bantamweight division. Amanda Ribas (7-6 UFC) will take on Fatima Klein (3-1 UFC) in the women's strawweight division. The post asks fans who should headline the event and which fighters should be placed on the main card.
The UFC has confirmed the first four matchups for UFC Oklahoma City, set to take place on July 18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with the promotion still building out the full card.
At middleweight, veteran Brad Tavares returns to action against Mark-Andre Barriault. Tavares, 38, carries a career record of 21-13 and has gone 16-12 inside the UFC. The Hawaii-born fighter trains out of Xtreme Couture and works behind a steady orthodox striking game, averaging 3.41 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy across his long career in the division.
The heavyweight division gets a look when Alvin Hines and Allen Fry Jr. square off, both men seeking their first UFC victory after dropping their respective promotional debuts.
In the women's bantamweight division, Dione Barbosa — known as "The Witch" — takes on Veronica Hardy. Barbosa, 34, holds a 9-4 career record and has gone 3-2 in the UFC fighting out of Kings MMA. The Brazilian orthodox fighter brings a well-rounded threat, averaging 2.4 takedowns and 1.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a 45 percent striking accuracy. Hardy, 30, fights out of Renzo Gracie Academy and enters with a career record of 10-5-1 and a 5-5 UFC mark. The Venezuelan southpaw is the more active striker of the two at 3.06 significant strikes per minute, also at 45 percent accuracy.
The women's strawweight bout rounds out the announced bouts, with Amanda Ribas facing Fatima Klein. Ribas comes in at 7-6 in the UFC against Klein's 3-1 promotional record.
Why it matters
- Tavares vs. Barriault is a middleweight crossroads fight between two long-tenured UFC veterans
- Barbosa vs. Hardy pits contrasting styles against each other, with a submission-active fighter against a volume striker
- Both heavyweight and strawweight bouts carry divisional implications for fighters looking to establish themselves on the roster
- The top of the card remains undecided, leaving room for a marquee headliner to be added
