The UFC’s return to Atlanta continues to build with the apparent addition of a new welterweight fight.
Max Griffin (14-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC) is set to take on unbeaten newcomer Zelim Imadaev (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC 236, according to a report from the UFC’s broadcast partner at ESPN. UFC officials have not yet made a formal announcement of the booking.
UFC 236 takes place April 13 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass.
In the main event, featherweight champ Max Holloway (20-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) moves up to the lightweight division for an interim 155-pound showdown with Dustin Poirier (24-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC). The co-headliner sees Kelvin Gastelum (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) clash with Israel Adesanya (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) to determine the interim titleholder at middleweight.
Griffin will be trying to rebound from a two-fight skid of decision losses to Curtis Millender and Thiago Alves, the latter of which came in February in Brazil by split call. Prior to the consecutive setbacks, Griffin had his biggest win to date with an upset of Mike Perry in front of Perry’s home fans at UFC on FOX 28 in Orlando, Fla., in February 2018.
Imadaev, a 24-year-old from Moscow, is off to a perfect 8-0 start in his pro career of nearly three years and has all eight of his wins by knockout or TKO. Most recently, he won a Fight Nights Global bout in just 13 seconds about a year ago. A return to action this past fall was canceled due to injury.
The latest UFC 236 lineup includes:
- Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier – for interim lightweight title
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya – for interim featherweight
- Eryk Anders vs. Khalil Rountree
- Alexandre Pantoja vs. Wilson Reis
- Montel Jackson vs. Andre Soukhamthath
- Nikita Krylov vs. Ovince Saint Preux
- Boston Salmon vs. Khalid Taha
- Poliana Botelho vs. Lauren Mueller
- Max Griffin vs. Zelim Imadaev
For complete coverage of UFC 236, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
