Report | UFC 239 continues to take shape with Junior Dos Santos vs Francis Ngannou in the works

UFC 215 took place in September 2017 and featured a single heavyweight bout. However, that wasn’t the original plan.

The night’s co-main event was former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos making his second appearance in the division against Neil Magny. The main event saw Amanda Nunes defeat Valentina Shevchenko for the second time to defend her title.

UFC 215’s co-main event was supposed to be a heavyweight collision pitting the former champion, Junior Dos Santos (21-5) against the rising contender, Francis ‘The Predator’ Ngannou (13-3). Unfortunately, the fight wouldn’t end up happening due to a USADA violation on Dos Santos part that wound up being the result of tainted supplement usage.

Fast forward two years and each fighter could be considered the top contender as Dos Santos rides his first winning streak since he was champion in 2012 with three straight wins. His most recent two wins coming by way of TKO over Tai Tuivasa and most recently, Derrick Lewis.

As for Ngannou, he just knocked out the returning former two-time champion, Cain Velasquez in 26 seconds. This after knocking out Curtis Blaydes in their rematch in Beijing, China. That win came in 45 seconds.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani is now reporting that a bout between the two is in the works for UFC 239 on July 6.

“Francis Ngannou vs. Junior dos Santos scheduled for UFC 239, July 6 in Las Vegas, according to sources. More shortly.” Helwani tweeted.

As per usual, the UFC is looking to stack the deck for their International Fight Week event as the fight would just further improve the already great line-up that’s already set. Those first four fights can be seen below.

• Light heavyweight- 205lbs: (C)Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos
• Bantamweight – 135lbs: (C)Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm
• Welterweight – 170lbs: Jorge Masvidal vs Ben Askren
• Light heavyweight: Jan Błachowicz vs. Luke Rockhold

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/29/2019