Nurmagomedov vs. Bautista added to UFC 321

UFC 321 just got some more star power added to the card.

The promotion announced the addition of a bantamweight bout between ranked contenders on the upcoming pay-per-view event in October, with possible championship implications at stake.

UFC president Dana White broke the news on social media that Umar Nurmagomedov will take on Mario Bautista when action gets underway in October.

For Nurmagomedov, it’ll be his first fight since January, when he fell short of dethroning Merab Dvalishvili for the 135-pound title. The unanimous decision loss also put an end to the Dagestani’s 6-0 start in the UFC, knocking his overall record down to 18-1-0 as a pro.

Bautista, meanwhile, enters the Abu Dhabi card on the heels of an eight-fight win streak. His most recent victory came against former Bellator champion Patchy Mix in his promotional debut at UFC 316.

A victory against a former title contender in the No. 2-ranked Nurmagomedov could be exactly what Bautista — ranked eighth in the division — needs to propel himself into the championship conversation.

Dvalishvili is scheduled for his third title defence bout against fourth-ranked Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, and either outcome would present the promotion with intriguing opportunities.

A Sandhagen win would open the door for a rematch against Nurmagomedov, who beat the would-be champ back in 2024. Meanwhile, should Dvalishvili retain his title, Bautista presents a new challenge, considering the Georgian has cleaned house atop the 135-pound ladder.

UFC 321 on Oct. 25 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a heavyweight title bout between champion Tom Aspinall and top-ranked contender Ciryl Gane, while Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will fight for the recently vacated strawweight belt.