Two lightweights will look to turn their most recent wins into streaks when the UFC returns to Russia this fall.
Vinc Pichel (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will travel into hostile territory when he takes on Alexander Yakovlev (24-8-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 21 on Nov. 9 from CSKA Arena in Moscow.
A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed the news with MMA Junkie following a report from Russian outlet SportsBox. The person asked to remain anonymous since the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.
Pichel, 36, rebounded from a June 2018 loss to Gregor Gillespie when he defeated Roosevelt Roberts at UFC Minneapolis in June. The “TUF: Live” alumnus has won five out of his last six bouts. Since he returned from a three-year layoff, Pichel has won three out of four contests.
His opponent, Yakovlev, last competed at UFC on ESPN+ 7 in April. On the heels of a two and a half year layoff, Yakovlev snapped a two-fight losing streak when he submitted promotional newcomer Alex Silva by rear-naked choke in the second round. The submission was Yakovlev’s first since 2011.
With the addition, the UFC on ESPN+ 21 lineup includes:
- Junior Dos Santos vs. Alexander Volkov
- Shamil Gamzatov vs. Klidson Abreu
- Ed Herman vs. Gadzhimurad Antigulov
- Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. David Zawada
- Grigorii Popov vs. Davey Grant
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
- Roman Kopylov vs. Karl Roberson
- Vinc Pichel vs. Alexander Yakovlev
