Two previously scheduled main events are now expected to move to the headline slots on the UFC’s upcoming shows on May 13 and May 16 from Jacksonville, Fla.
Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira, who were originally slated to meet on April 25, are now expected to headline the UFC card on May 13.
A heavyweight clash between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris that was previously moved to May 16 is in the works as main event on that show.
Both fights were previously postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but now the UFC is beginning to reschedule many of these bouts with four cards planned in May.
Multiple sources confirmed the pairings to MMA Fighting on Friday with verbal agreements in place for the fights following an initial report from MMAJunkie. Both cards will air on the ESPN family of networks, although there’s no word at this time if the broadcasts will land on ESPN or ESPN+.
Smith will be making his first return to action since submitting Alexander Gustafsson in his most recent appearance inside the octagon. As for Teixeira, he’s rattled off three straight wins over Karl Roberson, Ion Cutelaba and Nikita Krylov.
The fight between Overeem and Harris, which was originally expected to headline a UFC card in Portland, Ore. in April will now move to the rescheduled card on May 16.
Overeem will look to get back in the win column after suffering a fifth-round TKO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik this past December while Harris attempts to build on an undefeated run in his past four fights in a row.
Source: MMAfighting.com
