Bantamweight action is lined up for UFC 274, as Journey Newson and Fernie Garcia will throw down at the event this May.
ESPN was first to report the news, with Newson subsequently confirming the match-up on social media.
Newson (9-3, 1NC) will be looking for his first win since 2019 when he enters the octagon against Garcia. He’ll also be looking for his first UFC win, technically. Newson joined the promotion in 2019 after starting his career on the regional circuit and building up a 9-1 record. He would then drop his debut in the octagon to Ricardo Ramos, and subsequently secure a TKO win against Domingo Pilarte.
That celebration would prove short-lived, however, as the win against Pilarte was overturned to a No Contest when Newson tested positive for marijuana. After paying a fine and sitting out for a brief suspension, he returned to action in September 2020, only to be knocked out by a Randy Costa head kick.
Newson missed all of 2021, as he was forced to pull out of a fight with Felipe Colares last May.
Garcia (10-1) won his way into the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, and will be making his promotional debut in the bout. The Texas-based fighter, an LFA vet, has won his last five fights.
UFC 274 takes place on May 7, 2022, at a location yet to be announced. Two title fights are expected to top the card, which breaks down as follows:
Glover Teixeira (c) vs. Jiří Procházka – for the UFC light heavyweight championship
Charles Oliveira (c) vs. Justin Gaethje – for the UFC lightweight championship
Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont
Ariane Carnelossi vs. Lupita Godinez
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima
C.J. Vergara vs. Kleydson Rodrigues
Joe Lauzon vs. Donald Cerrone
Journey Newson vs. Fernia Garcia
