Standout lightweights Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises are set to face off at a UFC event scheduled for July 17.
Multiple people with knowledge of the booking confirmed to MMA Fighting that verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected to be signed after an initial report from ESPN.com. The July 17 booking’s city and venue have not been confirmed.
Makhachev (19-1), a longtime training partner of undefeated former lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, is two months removed from a win over Drew Dober at UFC 259, which extended his current winning streak to seven bouts. The 29-year-old Dagestani has picked up wins over vets Nik Lentz and Gleison Tibau in that time, but his win over Dober marked his highest-ranked victim.
Moises (4-2) returns Makhachev to unranked opposition, though the Brazilian has looked impressive in his most recent outings. In February, Moises dominated Alexander Hernandez at UFC Vegas 20 to pick up his third straight win. He has fallen short on two occasions in the UFC, losing decisions in bouts against Beneil Dariush and Damir Ismagulov.
The July 17 event’s headliner has not been announced. As MMA Fighting previously reported, ex-bantamweight champ Miesha Tate will come out of retirement to face Marion Reneau in what’s been billed as Reneau’s retirement fight.