A pair of UFC welterweights will collide in June.
Agfight was first to report the news that Michel Prazeres will return from his two-year suspension to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov on June 26 at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event. Both fighters would confirm the booking on social media.
Prazeres (26-3) has been out of action since February 23, 2019, where he lost a unanimous decision to Ismail Naurdiev. The Brazilan would test positive for a banned substance and be suspended for two years. He was eligible to return to competition on March 9, 2021. Before his loss to Naurdiev, he was riding an eight-fight win streak. He missed weight three times in that time and holds a win over former title challenger Gilbert Burns.
Shavkat Rakhmonov (13-0) burst onto the scene last year with a first-round win over Alex Oliveira at UFC 254 on ‘Fight Island.’ The Uzbekistan fighter holds a perfect record with a 100% finish rate. Expectations are high on Rakhmonov, and a win over Prazeres will really announce his presence to the welterweight division. “Nomad” fought in M-1 for most of his career.
No location, venue, or broadcast plan has been reported for the UFC’s June 26 event. With the latest addition, the card now includes the following bouts:
- Anthony Hernandez vs. Punahele Soriano
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Michel Prazeres
- Tim Elliott vs. Su Mudaerji
- Ed Herman vs. Danilo Marques
- Ovince Saint Preux vs. Maxim Grishin
- Ike Villanueva vs. Marcin Prachnio
