A second big welterweight fight has been added to UFC Rochester, in the form of Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
UFC Rochester goes down May 18 on ESPN+. The card itself is headlined by former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and former lightweight challenger Kevin Lee. However, there appears to be another big welterweight fight headed to that card, in the way of top 15 welterweights Neil Magny and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
Neil Magny is one of the welterweight division’s most active fighters, having fought 20 times since his debut at UFC 157 in 2013. Over the years he has had many big victories over the likes of Carlos Condit, Hector Lombard, and Kelvin Gastelum. However, he lost his last time out against Santiago Ponzinibbio in November of 2018. Prior to that, he had won two fights in a row.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos has been on a tear lately, having won seven fights in a row. Three of those last seven have been finishes, with his last win coming via first-round submission over Curtis Millender earlier this month at UFC Wichita. Dos Santos wanted a big name after his win, and it appears he’s getting that in the way of Neil Magny.
UFC Rochester is becoming an excellent card with the promotion announcing Kevin Lee and Rafael dos Anjos as the main event, and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Neil Magny as the co-main. The card also has marquee matchups such as the battle of former Invicta champions Megan Anderson taking on Felicia Spencer, and Sijara Eubanks taking on the surging Aspen Ladd.
Update: despite initial reports, it looks like this one is not happening. Zaleski denied agreeing to the fight, per a report by MMA Junkie.
