The UFC is finalizing a five-round main event between former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos and rising contender Rafael Fiziev for Feb. 19, multiple sources told ESPN.
Contracts have not been signed, but both sides have agreed to the matchup. The 155-pound contest will headline the UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.
Dos Anjos (30-13) will return to action for the first time since he earned a split-decision win over Paul Felder in November 2020. The Brazilian lightweight was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev in a highly anticipated bout in October, but was forced to withdraw because of injury.
Dos Anjos is back at lightweight after competing in the welterweight division from 2017 to 2020. He won a UFC title at this weight in 2015.
Fiziev (11-1), of Kyrgyzstan, is on a five-fight winning streak. He is coming off a highlight-reel knockout of Brad Riddell at a UFC Fight Night last month. That win earned him a spot in the UFC’s official rankings. Dos Anjos and Fiziev are ranked Nos. 6 and 11, respectively.