A ranked women’s flyweight matchup is targeted for UFC 286 in London.
A bout between former title challenger Jennifer Maia and undefeated Casey O’Neill is being planned for the pay-per-view event on March 18, which takes place at The O2.
MMA Junkie confirmed the fight is in the works with multiple sources following a first report from MMA Island. Details surrounding the matchup are being discussed, but bout agreements have been not signed by both parties at this time.
O’Neill (9-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) who currently holds the No. 9 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s flyweight rankings, will compete for the first time after being forced out of a matchup against Jessica Eye at UFC 276 in July due to a torn ACL. Through four fights in the UFC, the 25-year-old O’Neill has recorded three stoppages over Shana Dobson, Lara Fritzen and Antonina Shevchenko. Her most recent victory was a split decision win over Roxanne Modafferi at UFC 271.
On the other side, Maia (20-9-1 MMA, 5-5 UFC) will look to make it two straight in the win column. In her previous outing, Maia, 34, won a unanimous decision over Maryna Moroz to snap a two-fight skid. The upcoming bout against O’Neill also represents the opportunity to stay above .500 since her title shot against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 255 in 2020.
With the addition, the UFC 286 lineup includes:
- Roman Dolidze vs. Marvin Vettori
- Jennifer Maia vs. Casey O’Neill
- Luana Carolina vs. Joanne Wood
- Malcolm Gordon vs. Jake Hadley
Undefeated Casey O’Neill vs. former title challenger Jennifer Maia in the works for UFC 286
