Officials announced Thursday that Saki (1-2) and Safarov (8-2) will meet in a light heavyweight bout at UFC London on March 16 at The O2 Arena. The event will air live on the ESPN+ streaming service.
Saki will look to rebound from a first-round KO loss to Khalil Rountree at UFC 226 in July. The 35-year-old Turkish-Dutch fighter made his Octagon debut last December with a first-round KO of his own against Henrique da Silva. A decorated kickboxer, who has competed for K-1 and Glory, Saki has competed just three times in MMA since making his debut in July 2004.