Ultimate Fighter 27 winner Mike Trizano is set to return after nearly two years, when he takes on Brazil’s Rafael Alves this February.
First reported by MMA DNA, Trizano vs. Alves is another addition to the UFC’s growing February 20 card. The event is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight grudge match between Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes — a fight originally booked for late last year, until COVID-19 threw a wrench in the works.
Trizano (8-1) has not competed since a May 2019 loss to Grant Dawson at UFC Rochester. The first loss of his pro career snapped a two-fight win streak inside the octagon, and eight overall.
Alves (19-9) will be making his promotional debut in the fight. “The Turn” won his way into the UFC via the Contender Series last year, and has won six straight fights. The Brazilian also won gold in Titan FC, claiming an interim lightweight title there.
Though no location has been officially announced for the UFC’s February 20 event, the Fight Night card is likely headed to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The following bouts have been reported for the event.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis
Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya
Danny Chavez vs. Jared Gordon
Aleksei Oleinik vs. Chris Daukaus
Shana Dobson vs. Casey O’Neill
Eddie Wineland vs. John Castaneda
Drakkar Klose vs. Jai Herbert
Charles Rosa vs. Darrick Minner
Michael Trizano vs. Rafael Alves
Sergey Spivak vs. Jared Vanderaa
Andrei Arlovski vs. Tom Aspinall
