Raphael Assuncao will look to snap his losing skid when he meets a streaking contender.
Assuncao (27-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC) faces Ricky Simon (18-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 18 in an event that doesn’t yet have a know venue or location.
A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA DNA was first to report the news.
After two canceled fights, Assuncao will look to return to action for the first time since June 2020. The Brazilian, who recently underwent surgery for a torn distal tendon in his left bicep, has dropped his past three in a row to former title challenger Marlon Moraes, top contender Cory Sandhagen, and most recently former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. Assuncao’s last win came over Rob Font in 2018.
Simon was able to rebound from back-to-back losses to Urijah Faber and Font with three straight wins in less than a calendar year. The former LFA bantamweight champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Brian Kelleher at UFC 258 in February.
With the addition to the card, the Dec. 18 UFC event currently includes:
- Amanda Lemos vs. Nina Nunes
- Anthony Hernandez vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
- Raphael Assuncao vs. Ricky Simon
