Cory McKenna vs. Emily Whitmire added to UFC Fight Night on Sept. 18

A strawweight bout between Cory McKenna and Emily Whitmire is the latest addition to UFC Fight Night on Sept. 18.

McKenna (6-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on Whitmire (4-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at a location and venue to be announced.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

McKenna, who inked a UFC deal on Dana White’s Contender Series, edged out Kay Hansen in her promotional debut in November 2020. The 21-year-old Team Alpha Male fighter suffered a torn ligament and broken right ankle in the win, which has forced her on the sidelines ever since.

Whitmire will also return after a significant time away from the octagon where she’ll look to snap a two-fight losing skid. After scoring two straight wins over Jamie Moyle and Aleksandra Albu, the Season 26 “The Ultimate Fighter” alum dropped back-to-back submission losses to Amanda Ribas and most recently Polyana Viana in August 2020. She was scheduled to face Sam Hughes at UFC Fight Night 186 in February but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons.

With the addition, the Sept. 18 lineup includes:

• Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann
• Tafon Nchukwi vs. Mike Rodriguez
• Devin Clark vs. Ion Cutelaba
• Jim Miller vs. Nikolas Motta
• Dakota Bush vs. Zhu Rong
• Danaa Batgerel vs. Montel Jackson
• Sarah Alpar vs. Erin Blanchfield
• Carlston Harris vs. Impa Kasanganay
• Pannie Kianzad vs. Raquel Pennington
• Heili Alateng vs. Gustavo Lopez
• Antonio Arroyo vs. Joaquin Buckley
• Cory McKenna vs. Emily Whitmire