UFC targets Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Chris Daukaus for July 24 card

A fight between ranked heavyweights is on the verge of finalization.

Russia’s Shamil Abdurakhimov and Philadelphia’s Chris Daukaus are targeted to square off at the UFC Fight Night event July 24 at a location and venue that has yet to be announced.

A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie on Friday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. BJPenn.com was the first to report the matchup.

Abdurakhimov (20-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has not competed since September 2019 when he lost to Curtis Blaydes by TKO due to ground-and-pound. Since that time, he’s struggled to have a scheduled booking come to fruition as he’s encountered three-straight cancellations.

Daukaus (11-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) burst onto the UFC scene in August 2020. Since then, he’s rattled off three first-round TKO wins over Parker Porter, Rodrigo Nascimento, and Aleksei Oleinik.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 192 lineup now includes:

• T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen
• Brendan Allen vs. Puna Soriano
• Maycee Barber vs. Miranda Maverick
• Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson
• Trevin Jones vs. Tony Kelley
• Raphael Assuncao vs. Kyler Phillips
• Mickey Gall vs. Jordan Williams
• Randy Costa vs. Adrian Yanez
• Ian Heinisch vs. Nassourdine Imavov
• Julio Arce vs. Andre Ewell
• Darren Elkins vs. Darrick Minner
• Cameron Else vs. Aaron Phillips
• Sijara Eubanks vs. Priscila Cachoeira
• Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Chris Daukuas