The UFC has announced the first four bouts for an event scheduled for July 18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Brad Tavares will face Marc-Andre Barriault in a middleweight contest, with Tavares holding a 16-12 UFC record and Barriault at 6-10. In heavyweight action, Alvin Haynes will meet Allen Frey Jr., with both fighters entering at 0-1 in the UFC. Women's flyweight will feature Dione Barbosa versus Veronica Hardy, while Amanda Ribas takes on Fatima Kline in women's strawweight. The post notes that additional fights and main event details have yet to be announced for this card.
The UFC has officially announced four bouts for its July 18 card in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, giving fans an early look at what promises to be a competitive evening across multiple weight classes.
Headlining the announced matchups is a middleweight clash between Brad Tavares and Marc-Andre Barriault. Tavares, a 38-year-old veteran out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 21-13-0 professional record into the fight. The six-foot-one Hawaiian-born American, who fights out of an orthodox stance with a 74-inch reach, has built his reputation on consistent striking volume, averaging 3.41 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy over his lengthy UFC tenure. Barriault enters at 6-10 inside the octagon.
The heavyweight division gets a look as Alvin Haynes squares off against Allen Frey Jr., with both men carrying 0-1 UFC records and looking to earn their first promotional win.
Women's flyweight action features Dione Barbosa taking on Veronica Hardy. Barbosa, nicknamed "The Witch," is a 34-year-old Brazilian out of Kings MMA with a 9-4-0 record. She brings a well-rounded offensive game, averaging 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.7 submission attempts, making her a genuine threat in multiple areas. Hardy, a 30-year-old southpaw from Venezuela training at Renzo Gracie Academy, counters with a 10-5-1 mark and a busier striking output of 3.06 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy.
Rounding out the announced card, Amanda Ribas meets Fatima Kline at women's strawweight.
Why it matters
- The Tavares-Barriault middleweight bout puts two UFC veterans with contrasting trajectories on a collision course
- Haynes vs. Frey Jr. carries must-win pressure for both heavyweight newcomers
- Barbosa's grappling-heavy style against Hardy's striking approach sets up a compelling stylistic contrast at flyweight
- A main event and additional bouts have yet to be announced, meaning the card's top billing remains open
