UFC is targeting a lightweight matchup between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober in early 2021, sources told ESPN.
Contracts have not been signed and there is no official date, but March 6 is the leading option as of now. Both sides have already verbally agreed to the matchup.
Makhachev (18-1) was scheduled to headline his first UFC event on Nov. 14 against former champion Rafael dos Anjos but was forced to withdraw due to health reasons. The 29-year-old is a teammate of undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and a student under the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He is 7-1 in UFC.
Dober (23-9) has won his last three fights via knockout and is 6-1 in his last seven bouts overall. He fights out of Denver and trains alongside recent title challenger Justin Gaethje.