Two guys headed in very different directions in the bantamweight division are set to meet in December, according to MMA DNA. Former top contender Raphael Assuncao, who has lost three in a row, will meet rising Ricky Simon, who has won three in a row.
Assuncao (27-8, 11-5 UFC) is on the longest losing streak of his career, but all of those losses came to top contenders – Marlon Moraes, Cory Sandhagen, and most recently via a Cody Garbrandt punch in June 2020. His last victory came via decision over Rob Font in 2018.
Simon (18-3, 6-2 UFC) had dropped fights to Urijah Faber and Font, but has since reeled off three straight victories over Ray Borg, Gaetano Pirrello, and Brian Kelleher. The win over Kelleher came at featherweight in February.
Assuncao is currently ranked as the number 12 contender at 135 pounds in the official UFC rankings. Simon is unranked.
The December 18th UFC Vegas 45 card does not have a set headliner as of yet.
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