New main event announced for UFC Fight Night card in Canada as former world champion demoted to the co-main
04/09/2024 11:32
The UFC is set to return to the 'Great White North' later this year for a solid Fight Night card, one that has just seen some major changes to its main and co-main events respectively.
Whilst the promotion has been widely criticized in recent months for the manner in which certain fights are being shifted to cards that were viewed as less-than-par, it's hard to argue that the new main event fight isn't a superior contest.
Dana White announces new main event fight for UFC Edmonton
As the latest episode of Dana White's Contender Series wrapped up, UFC President Dana White took to social media to announce a new main event for UFC Fight Night Edmonton, Canada.
The main event will now feature former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno returning to action to face surging contender, Amir Albazi.
'The Assassin Baby' will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses in the octagon; split decisions to champion Alexandre Pantoja and then Brandon Royval earlier this year.
Albazi, meanwhile, is riding an impressive six-fight winning streak, including victories over Kai Kara-France, Alessandro Costa, Zhalgas Zhumgulov, and Malcolm Gordon – however, 'The Prince' hasn't fought since mid-2023 after a string of injuries.
"Moreno is the first Mexican-born world champion, he has the second most finishes in flyweight history as well as second-most submissions and significant strikes landed in the division,” hyped Dana White, adding: “Albazi is on a six-fight win streak, he's incredibly well-rounded with four of his last six wins coming by finish."
The addition of Moreno vs Albazi as the main event means that the former star attraction will be moved down into the co-main event slot – former champion Rose Namajunas versus fan-favorite contender Erin Blanchfield.
Namajunas bounced back from consecutive defeats with two unanimous decision wins over her own against Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez, whilst Blanchfield suffered her first loss in the UFC in her last bout against Manon Fiorot.
According to veteran journalist Aaron Bronsteter, Namajunas vs Blanchfield will still be contested over five rounds.
UFC Fight Night Edmonton is scheduled for November 2 at Rogers Place in Alberta, Canada.
Who else features on the UFC Edmonton card in November?
With the addition of Moreno vs Albazi, UFC Fight Night Edmonton now includes 12 bouts and despite the fight order having not yet been officially announced, the card is shaping up to be one of the better FN events of the year.
According to the UFC website, the event will feature the following fights.
- Brandon Moreno vs Amir Albazi
- Erin Blanchfield vs Rose Namajunas
- Derrick Lewis vs Jhonata Diniz
- Aiemann Zahabi vs Pedro Munhoz
- Mike Malott vs Trevin Giles
- Caio Machado vs Brendson Ribeiro
- Alexandr Romanov vs Rodrigo Nascimento
- Chad Anheliger vs Cody Gibson
- Serhiy Sidey vs Garrett Armfield
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs Dustin Stoltzfus
- Ariane Da Silva vs Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Jamey-Lyn Horth vs Ivana Petrovic
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Albazi is scheduled for November 2, live on ESPN and ESPN+.
