Carlos Candelario set to welcome UFC newcomer Rafael Estevam in April
A flyweight fight is the newest addition to an April event.
Seeking his first UFC victory, Carlos Candelario (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) will welcome newcomer Rafael Estevam (11-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion April 22. The fight takes place as part of a UFC Fight Night event that does not yet have a publicly announced location.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Candelario, 31, looks to snap a three-fight losing skid that includes one defeat on Dana White’s Contender Series (a controversial decision loss that still earned him a contract from UFC president Dana White) and two in the UFC against Tatsuro Taira and Jake Hadley. Five of Candelario’s eight professional wins have come inside the distance.
Estevam, 26, is a student of legendary MMA coach Andre Pederneiras, of Nova Uniao. He earned a UFC contract with a ground-and-pound finish of Joao Elias on Dana White’s Contender Series in September. Seven of Estevam’s 11 pro victories have come inside the distance.
With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for April 22 includes:
- Jared Gordon vs. Bobby Green
- Ricky Simon vs. Song Yadong
- Bruno Silva vs. Brad Tavares
- Norma Dumont vs. Karol Rosa
- Iasmin Lucindo vs. Melissa Martinez
- William Gomis vs. Francis Marshall
- Priscila Cachoeira vs. Karine Silva
- Christos Giagos vs. Ricky Glenn
- Carlos Candelario vs. Rafael Estevam
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for the UFC Fight Night event April 22.