An intriguing middleweight fight is in the works for the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden.
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. David Branch has been verbally agreed to for the Nov. 3 show in New York, sources told ESPN.
Souza (25-6, 1 NC), a former Strikeforce middleweight champion, is coming off a split decision loss to Kelvin Gastelum in May.
Branch (22-4), a former WSOF middleweight and light heavyweight champion, most recently knocked out Thiago Santos in the first round in April.
The promotion has tried to book the fight a couple of times this year already but to no avail. It is hoping the stars will finally align for the matchup featuring two top middleweight contenders later this year.
UFC 230, which will mark the promotion’s third trip to MSG, doesn’t have a main event just yet.