UFC bantamweights Nate Maness and Tony Gravely are set to square off on April 17.
MMA Junkie were the first to report news of the fight, after Maness announced via social media that he’d signed a bout agreement.
Maness (13-1) enters the bout on the heels of back-to-back victories to start his UFC career. He is now riding a three-fight win streak and will look to continue his push toward the UFC rankings. Prior to signing with the UFC, Maness was a full-time roofer and had contemplated cutting his MMA career short. In an interview with Cageside Press’ Sergio Pineiro, Maness discusses how the call from the UFC ultimately saved his fighting career.
“I was working a lot and couldn’t really get into the gym [Due to COVID restrictions]” Maness said “I got the call in July, and I think I contemplated retiring in June. I hadn’t been at the gym at all when I got the call. I trained nine days for that UFC debut.”
Gravely (20-6) will look to build on recent momentum after narrowing out Geraldo de Freitas in his last fight. The Contender Series product has had mixed results in the promotion going 1-1 thus far. Gravely has only tasted defeat against fighters who have been signed to either Bellator or the UFC.
A location has yet to be announced by the promotion for the UFC’s April 17 card. However, it is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. A middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa is anticipated to serve as the headliner. The current list of fights on tap for the evening are as follows:
- Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
- Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bartosz Fabinski
- Chase Sherman vs. Parker Porter
- Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish
- Nate Maness vs. Tony Gravely
