UFC 279 adds Chris Barnett vs. Jake Collier heavyweight clash

Big boys will battle at UFC 279 as heavyweights Chris Barnett and Jake Collier will throw down in a three-round clash as part of the Sept. 10 pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed the matchup Tuesday to MMA Junkie after it appeared on UFC broadcast partner ESPN‘s online MMA schedule.

Barnett (22-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC), 36, made his UFC debut in 2021 after 12 years of competition in smaller circuits around the world. After a loss to Ben Rothwell in his promotional debut, Barnett turned some heads when he finished Gian Villante with a wheel kick and punches. He returned in April and lost a technical decision to Martin Buday.

Collier (13-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC), 33, has alternated wins and losses across three weight classes since his UFC debut in 2014. At heavyweight, Collier has gone 2-3 with wins over Gian Villante and Chase Sherman. He most recently competed in April when he lost a controversial split decision to Andrei Arlovski.

With the addition, the UFC 279 lineup includes:

• Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz
• Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Jailton Almeida
• Norma Dumont vs. Danyelle Wolf
• Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
• Denis Tiuliulin vs. Jamie Pickett
• Heili Alateng vs. Chad Anheliger
• Melissa Martinez vs. Elise Reed
• Ion Cutelaba vs. Johnny Walker

• Chris Barnett vs. Jake Collier
• Miguel Baeza vs. Yohan Lainesse