Cory McKenna will finally return to action after a 13-month layoff.
Multiple sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have confirmed to Cageside Press that McKenna will fight Elise Reed on March 19 in what hopes to be UFC’s return to London.
After securing a UFC contract on season four of Dana White’s Contender Series by defeating Vanessa Demopoulos via unanimous decision, McKenna (6-1) made her UFC debut three months later against Kay Hansen. “Poppins” won a very close unanimous decision. However, after the fight with Hansen, McKenna revealed that she tore a ligament and rolled her ankle in the third round. McKenna was scheduled to return in September of last year; however, an injury forced her out.
Thanks for all the concern -got my MRI results back this morning. I completely tore a ligament and fractured my ankle when I rolled it going into the 3rd round of that fight. Looks like I'll be forced to take a break but can't wait to get this cleared up and jump back in there! pic.twitter.com/V9yYLMKRW9
— Cory Poppins McKenna ☂️ (@CoryMcKenna99) November 18, 2020
Reed (4-1) made her UFC debut on short notice up a weight class in July but was unsuccessful as she was overpowered and dominated by Sijara Eubanks. Prior to her loss, she captured and defended the CFFC Strawweight Championship.
The UFC’s March 19, 2022 event does not have an official location, venue, or broadcast plan announced. It is heavily speculated that the promotion will be going back to London, but nothing official has been announced.
The Fight Night card currently breaks down as follows:
- Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev
- Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina
- Jake Hadley vs. Francisco Figueiredo
- Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden
- Makwan Amirkhani vs. Mike Grundy
- Tom Aspinall vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov
- Cory McKenna vs. Elise Reed
