A very fun lightweight scrap has been added to July’s UFC 277.
The newly reported bout sees Drew Dober (24-11, 1NC) take on Rafael Alves (24-10) at the July 30, 2022 Pay-Per-View card, the second PPV show from the UFC in July. MMA Fight Universe was first to report news of the match-up.
Both fighters subsequently confirmed the booking on social media. The pair have 70 fights worth of pro experience between them.
Dober got back in the win column back in March, in a fun match-up with short-notice opponent Terrance McKinney. The first-round TKO victory snapped a two-fight skid that had seen Dober lose fights to Brad Riddell and Islam Makhachev.
Having won three post-fight bonuses in the past three years, Dober will be looking for number four come July.
Alves, a 2020 Contender Series winner, also got back in the win column in his last fight. After dropping his promotional debut, against Damir Ismagulov, Alves bounced back with a submission win against Marc Diakiese.
The Brazilian fighter shot to notoriety prior to the Ismagulov fight, missing weight for what would have been his UFC debut last February by a record 11.5 pounds, though that mark was eclipsed by William Knight late last year. Regardless, the featherweight miss resulted in a move to lightweight for Alves.
UFC 277, which takes place on July 30, 2022, does not yet have a location or venue officially announced. The following bouts have been reported for the event:
- Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France – for the UFC interim flyweight championship
- Derrick Lewis vs. Sergei Pavlovich
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Anthony Smith
- Luke Rockhold vs. Paulo Costa
- Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Michael Morales
- Drakkar Klose vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
- Justin Tafa vs. Don’Tale Mayes
- Drew Dober vs. Rafael Alves
