A pair of season four Dana White’s Contender Series alumni will make their UFC debut in July.
MMA Junkie was the first to report the news that UFC rookies Collin Anglin and Melsik Baghdasaryan will fight on July 31 at a yet-to-be-announced. Anglin confirmed the booking on social media.
Anglin (8-1) won a contract on season four of Dana White’s Contender Series when he defeated Muhammadjon Naimov via unanimous decision. He was supposed to make his UFC debut in February at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov against Seung Woo Choi but withdrew from the fight. Anglin is riding a seven-fight win streak, with four finishes among the wins.
Baghdasaryan (5-1) also competed on season four of Dana White’s Contender Series against Team Longo’s Dennis Buzukja. He would win a unanimous decision but did not earn a UFC contract. UFC President Dana White would invite him back to the show later in the year, but he did not return. Manouk Akopyan of The LA Times would report in March that the Baghdasaryan was signed to the UFC. The Armenian is on a five-fight win streak with four first-round finishes.
The UFC’s July 31 event does not have an official location, venue, or broadcast plan announced. The following bouts have been reported for the Fight Night card:
- Bryan Barberena vs. Jason Witt
- Collin Anglin vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan
- Jinh Yu Frey vs. Istela Nunes
- Rafa Garcia vs. Chris Gruetzmacher
