Former UFC fighter Godofredo Pepey will return to action for the first time in almost three years.
Pepey (14-6-1) faces Abdoul Abdouraguimov (13-1) for the welterweight title in the main event of ARES FC 3, which takes place Feb. 3 at the Dome de Paris in France promotion officials today announced.
Pepey, who fought the majority of his career at featherweight, will be making his welterweight debut. The “Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” finalist scored notable finishes of Noad Lahat and Andre Fili before parting ways with the UFC in 2018. The 34-year-old has since moved to lightweight and scored a first-round armbar finish of fellow UFC alum Alexander Torres at BRAVE CF 15 in 2018 and had his RCC Intro 3 headliner against Pavel Gordeev in 2019 end in a no contest after a groin strike left him unable to continue.
Since losing his BRAVE CF welterweight title in his first-career setback in October 2019, Abdouraguimov has finished his past three opponents. The 26-year-old made his ARES debut in December, when he submitted Luciano Contini in the first round.
The ARES FC 3 lineup includes:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov vs. Godofredo Pepey – for inuagural welterweight title
Danilo Suzart vs. Marsel Sychev – for inaugural heavyweight title