Several new bouts have been announced over the past week for UFC Paris, scheduled for September 6 at the Accor Arena.
The annual event in the French capital will be headlined by a pivotal middleweight showdown between the division’s No. 1 contender, Nassourdine Imavov (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC), and rising Brazilian prospect Caio Borralho (17-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC). This week, the UFC has begun to round out the card by adding a number of rising European talents from its roster.
Here’s a look at some of the most recent matchups confirmed for UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho:
Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones
Belgian prospect Bolaji Oki (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is set to return to the venue where he suffered the only loss of his UFC career when he faces former Cage Warriors two-division champion Mason Jones (16-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC). “The Zulu Warrior” was submitted by Chris Duncan at the Accor Arena last September but bounced back in May with a decision win over Michael Aswell at the UFC Apex.
Mason Jones, meanwhile, earned his way back to the UFC with a four-fight win streak under the Cage Warriors banner following his release from the promotion in 2022. He made a successful return to the Octagon at UFC Des Moines in May, where he dominated Jeremy Stephens.
Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes
Irish standout Shauna Bannon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will aim for her third consecutive UFC win when she faces veteran Sam Hughes (10-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) in Paris. “Mama B” pulled off a dramatic armbar submission to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Puja Tomar at UFC London in March—her second win since dropping her promotional debut to Bruna Brasil nearly two years ago.
Hughes, who trains out of Fortis MMA in Washington, has struggled with consistency throughout her UFC tenure but has won three of her last four fights inside the Octagon.
Yuneisy Duben vs. Kennedy Freeman
Venezuelan prospect Yuneisy Duben (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will look to rebound from a rough promotional debut when she returns to the Octagon against former Cage Warriors flyweight champion Kennedy Freeman (6-0), who makes her UFC debut.
Duben earned her UFC contract with a knockout win over Shannon Clark on Dana White’s Contender Series last August, but the 29-year-old was stopped in the first round of her official debut by Carli Judice in March.
Freeman—daughter of UK MMA pioneer Ian “The Machine” Freeman—enters the promotion with momentum, having finished each of her last three opponents.
Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Local favorite Oumar Sy (11-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will make a quick turnaround when he returns at UFC Paris, just weeks after suffering the first loss of his professional career. The Paris-based light heavyweight fell short against veteran Alonzo Menifield at UFC Atlanta but will aim to rebound in front of a hometown crowd.
Sy is set to face Brendson Ribeiro (17-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC), who is also looking to get back on track after being knocked out by Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 316.
