Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo added to UFC 251

A bantamweight showdown between Karol Rosa and Vanessa Melo is set for the upcoming UFC 251 pay-per-view show in Abu Dhabi on July 11, multiple sources told MMA Fighting. Combate first reported the booking.

Rosa and Melo were originally paired up against different opponents for April, May and June UFC cards, but all fights fell through due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rosa (12-3) had four different dates for a bantamweight clash with Julia Avila, but will meet Melo after all. A teammate of ex-UFC champion Jessica Andrade at PRVT, Rosa is 1-0 in the octagon with a split decision over Lara Procopio.

Melo (10-7), who was scheduled to share the cage with Sarah Alpar on May 2, is looking to snap a two-fight losing skid in the UFC with both defeats coming in decisions against Irene Aldana and Tracy Cortez.

UFC 251 will take place at the Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and feature Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns for the welterweight belt in the headlining attraction. Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway will rematch for the 145-pound strap in the co-main event, while Petr Yan faces Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight gold.

Check the updated line-up below.

Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo
Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka
Tai Tuivasa vs. Jarjis Danho
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane
Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo