Neil Magny and Michael Chiesa verbally agree to fight on January 20
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, a welterweight bout between veterans Neil Magny and Michael Chiesa has been verbally agreed upon to take place at a UFC Fight Night event on January 20 in Abu Dhabi.
According to the report, Magny or Chiesa could ideally serve as a backup if anything were to happen to the main event, which is scheduled to be a 170-pound showdown between Leon Edwards and rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev.
The 33-year-old Magny, who owns the second-most victories in UFC welterweight history behind only former champion Georges St. Pierre, had a successful 2020. Fighting three times, he earned three consecutive victories over Li Jingliang, Anthony Rocco Martin, and Robbie Lawler.
Overall, Magny is 24-7 and has won five of his last six bouts.
Chiesa, on the other hand, is also riding a three-fight winning streak, although he’s been far less active than Magny. In fact, the 33-year-old, who won The Ultimate Fighter: Live in 2012, fought just once in 2019 and once in 2020. Regardless, he’s found success in his last three bouts, picking up victories over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, and former titleholder Rafael dos Anjos.
Overall, Chiesa is 17-4 and has won three of his last five bouts.
Although the full lineup has not yet been set, the current slate of fights taking place on January 20 can be found below:
- Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev
- Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny
- Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi
- Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
- Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera
- Mike Jackson vs. Dean Barry
