Chase Sherman is returning to the UFC heavyweight division and will welcome surging newcomer Ike Villenueva to the promotion.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans have confirmed to MMA Fighting that Sherman and Villenueva will square off May 13. The event is scheduled to take place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., and airs on ESPN and ESPN+.
News of the booking was first reported by MMA Junkie.
Sherman will get his second opportunity with the promotion after compiling a 2-5 record in his first stint. Always known for his exciting fighting style, “The Vanilla Gorilla” finished all three of his opponents while competing under the Island Fights banner after being released from the UFC. Sherman also had three fights with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships, including capturing the BKFC heavyweight title this past August.
Villanueva, 36, gets his shot at the UFC following four consecutive first-round finishes for Fury FC out of Texas. In his last two fights, “Hurricane” captured and defended the Fury FC light heavyweight title with TKO wins over former UFC vets Roger Narvaez and Rashad Coulter.
The UFC’s May 13 event will be headlined by a light heavyweight matchup between former title challengers Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira.
