Heavyweight contenders Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov will jockey for position in Abu Dhabi.
Officials announced Monday that Blaydes and Abdurakhimov will meet at UFC 242 on Sept. 7 in Abu Dhabi. The bout was first reported to be in the works by Farah Hannoun.
After a disappointing loss to Francis Ngannou, “Razor” returned to the win column with a unanimous decision nod over Justin Willis at UFC Nashville in March. Blaydes (11-2, 1 NC) has won five of his last six fights.