The UFC has announced the first four fights for the Oklahoma City event on July 18. Brad Tavares (16-12 UFC) faces Marc-Andre Barriault (6-10 UFC) at middleweight. Alvin Hines (0-1 UFC) meets Allen Fry Jr. (0-1 UFC) at heavyweight. Dione Barboza (3-2 UFC) fights Veronica Hardy (5-5 UFC) in women's flyweight. Amanda Ribas (7-6 UFC) takes on Fatima Klein (3-1 UFC) in women's strawweight. The event still needs main event and main card fighters to be announced.
The UFC has confirmed the first four bouts for its Oklahoma City card scheduled for July 18, with a middleweight clash between two veterans headlining the preliminary announcements.
Brad Tavares and Marc-Andre Barriault will meet at middleweight in what shapes up as an experienced matchup in the 185-pound division. Tavares, a 38-year-old fighter out of Xtreme Couture, carries a professional record of 21-13 and brings a measured, technical style to the cage, averaging 3.41 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy across his UFC tenure. Barriault, known as "Powerbar," is a 36-year-old Canadian competing out of Kill Cliff FC. He holds a 17-11 record and generates considerably more offensive output, landing 5.65 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy — making him one of the more active strikers in the division. Both men stand six-foot-one with a 74-inch reach.
In women's flyweight, Dione Barboza takes on Veronica Hardy, who brings a 10-5-1 record and genuine versatility to the matchup. The 30-year-old Venezuelan southpaw out of Renzo Gracie Academy averages 3.06 significant strikes per minute and has shown a willingness to mix levels with 0.82 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The women's strawweight bout pairs Amanda Ribas against Fatima Klein, while the heavyweight division gets an early look as Alvin Hines and Allen Fry Jr. square off in a matchup of fighters each carrying a 0-1 UFC record.
Why it matters
- Tavares vs. Barriault pits two veteran middleweights with contrasting output levels against each other, with Barriault's volume striking the clear stylistic centerpiece.
- Hardy's southpaw grappling-striking blend gives the Barboza flyweight bout an intriguing tactical dimension.
- The card remains incomplete, with the main event and full main card yet to be announced ahead of the July 18 date.
