The UFC is close to finalizing a potential No. 1 light heavyweight contender bout between Jan Blachowicz and Corey Anderson on Feb. 15, according to multiple sources.
Contracts have not been signed, but sources say both sides have agreed. The 205-pound contest will headline UFC Fight Night at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
The winner will have a strong case for a UFC title shot. Jon Jones, the current champion, is scheduled to defend his belt against Dominick Reyes in the main event of UFC 247 on Feb. 8 in Houston.
Blachowicz (25-8) has won six of his past seven fights, dating back to late 2017. His only loss during that stretch came against Thiago Santos, who unsuccessfully challenged Jones for the title earlier this year. Fighting out of Poland, Blachowicz is coming off a decision win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza last month.
Anderson (13-4) has won four in a row, including a first-round knockout of Johnny Walker at UFC 244 in New York. Fighting out of New Jersey, Anderson has a 10-4 overall record in the UFC and has never fought for a UFC title.