The UFC will be in Abu Dhabi later this month<\/a> for a UFC Fight Night card headlined by Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder, but it looks like the promotion is already working on booking the first fight for its return to the Etihad Arena in October. <\/p>\n Robert Whittaker fights against Paulo Costa during UFC 298 at Honda Center. \/ Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n First reported by MMA Fighting<\/a>, top-ranked heavyweight contenders Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 321 on October 25. <\/p>\n Jailton Almeida (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Serghei Spivac (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. \/ Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The fight would be a huge one for the heavyweight division under any circumstances given that both men are ranked in the division\u2019s Top 5, but the bout takes on extra significance given that Tom Aspinall was recently promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion following the retirement of former titleholder <\/a>Jon Jones. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Dustin Poirier opens up on close call with UFC drug testing agents<\/a><\/p>\n A member of the UFC roster since 2016, Volkov was submitted by Aspinall in 2022 but rebounded with a four-fight win streak where he finished the first three opponents he faced during that run. <\/p>\n \u201cDrago\u201d had that momentum halted when he dropped a split decision to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310, but even after that loss the 36-year-old is still squarely in the heavyweight title mix as the division\u2019s #2-ranked contender. <\/p>\n Alexander Volkov (red gloves) and Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. \/ Per Haljestam-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Almeida actually joined the UFC has a light heavyweight off of Dana White\u2019s Contender Series but has found considerable success competing in the heavyweight division, where he currently occupies the #5 spot in the rankings. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Dana White teases global shift for UFC\u2019s next broadcast deal<\/a><\/p>\n An unbeaten start to Almeida\u2019s UFC career came to a halt when he was stopped by perennial top heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299. The Brazilian has stopped both Alexandr Romanov and Serghei Spivac in the first round since then, and he was mentioned by some fans as a potential first challenger<\/a> for Aspinall following his promotion<\/a> to undisputed UFC champion. <\/p>\n \u2022 <\/a>18\u20130 MMA champ shot five times in brutal street attack<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 UFC star questions need for BMF belt in Holloway vs Poirier trilogy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Jon Anik names the next UFC ‘BMF’ title challenger following Holloway-Poirier 3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Nate Diaz pleads with Conor McGregor to settle trilogy: ‘Nobody else to fight’<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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