A pair of hard-hitting UFC welterweights will collide in July.
MMA DNA was first to report the news that veteran Bryan Barberena will fight Jason Witt on July 31 at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event. A source close to the situation subsequently confirmed the booking to Cageside Press.
In his only fight in 2020, Barberena (15-7) snapped the first two-fight losing streak of his career by defeating Anthony Ivy at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill last September. “Bam Bam” was scheduled to fight Daniel Rodriguez two months later; however, he underwent an emergency laparotomy a week before the event due to internal bleeding caused by ruptured arteries in his omentum. Barberena fully recovered and is ready to go.
Witt (18-7) hasn’t had the best UFC run thus far. In his UFC debut last year, he stepped up on short notice to fight Takashi Sato but was finished in 48 seconds at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker. “The Vanilla Gorilla” would return four months later and win a unanimous decision over Cole Williams. Witt would again get finished in the first round in his third UFC earlier this year, this time in 16 seconds against Matt Semelsberger.
No location, venue, or broadcast details have yet to be announced by the promotion for UFC’s July 31 event. The only other fight that has been reported thus far has been Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Rafa Garcia.
