Ricky Simon and Brian Kelleher target UFC 258 after cancelled showdowns

Standout Ricky Simon and Brian Kelleher are trying to rebook their cancelled fight on the upcoming UFC 258 card.

Simon called out Kelleher after submitting Gaetano Pirrello on Wednesday at UFC Fight Island 8. The pair have been booked on two previous occasions. The first time, at UFC Vegas 9, was called off after Simon’s corner tested positive for COVID-19. The second, at UFC Fight Island 7, was scratched when Kelleher tested positive for the virus.

After Simon’s callout, Kelleher said the two are taking matters into their own hands, though they have yet to sign contracts making things official, and UFC 258, which takes place Feb. 13 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, is already 10 bouts deep. One person with knowledge of negotiations tell MMA Fighting the two are targeting a 140-pound catchweight fight. Both have fought many times at bantamweight, though Kelleher has recently competed as a featherweight.

Simon’s win over Pirrello marked his second straight victory after a pair of setbacks in bouts against Urijah Faber and Rob Font, respectively. Kelleher is four months removed from a submission of Ray Rodriguez, who stepped up on short notice when Simon was scratched from UFC Vegas 9. The performance earned him his fifth UFC performance bonus.