Julia Avila vs. Karol Rosa targeted for UFC Fight Night event on May 2

The UFC is continuing to build their upcoming fight cards, including the event for May 2.

Multiple sources tell MMA Fighting that a women’s bantamweight bout between Julia Avila and Karol Rosa — originally set to take place at UFC Portland April 11 — is being targeted for the promotion’s May 2 event. Per sources, verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected to be issued soon.

Per Dana White, the currently unknown location for UFC 249 will host weekly events for “the next two months” beginning April 18. The first event for the UFC in the month of May was originally scheduled to take place in Oklahoma City and slated to be headlined by a middleweight bout between Jack Hermansson and Chris Weidman.

Avila made her Octagon debut in July at UFC 239 and picked up a unanimous decision win over Pannie Kianzad. “The Raging Panda” was signed to the promotion following a second-round TKO win over Alexa Connors at Invicta FC 32 in November 2018. The 31-year-old has not needed the judges’ scorecards in more than half of her professional victories.

Rosa was scheduled to face Avila at the UFC’s return to Singapore in October 2019 but was forced to withdraw with an injury. The Brazilian native is currently riding a three-fight winning streak, which includes a split decision win in her Octagon debut over Lara Procopio in August.

The 25-year-old is currently in Las Vegas with former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade ahead of her bout against Rose Namajunas at UFC 249. Rosa will remain in the U.S. to finish preparations for the bout with Avila.