Ramon Taveras is now a UFC fighter, and his first fight in the promotion has already been announced.
While no date was initially floated, UFC President and CEO Dana White revealed after awarding Taveras (9-2) a contract with the promotion on Week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7 that the bantamweight will compete in a rematch with Canadian Serhiy Sidey (10-1). The fight will serve as the octagon debut for both fighters.
Taveras later confirmed in his post-fight interview with Laura Sanko that the fight will come in Canada on January 20. That is the date of UFC 297, which is expected to take place in Toronto, multiple sources have confirmed to Cageside Press.
Taveras and Sidey fought in Week 5 of DWCS Season 7, with Sidey coming away with a TKO win. While that earned Sidey a UFC deal, many including Dana White felt the stoppage was a quick one — hence Taveras being invited back on Week 10, where he took on Cortavious Romious.
The bantamweight fight lasted just 29 seconds, and was a firefight that ended with a Taveras punch putting away Romious. The contract was as good as signed by the time Romious hit the canvas.
UFC 297, expected for the ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto on January 20, 2024, currently boasts the following match-ups:
- Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
- Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield
- Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana
- Ramon Taveras vs. Serhiy Sidey
