Justin Tafa vs. Jared Vanderaa set for UFC event on May 22

Heavyweights will square off inside the octagon in May.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a matchup between Justin Tafa and Jared Vanderaa will take place at the UFC’s event on May 22, which does not currently have a venue or location announced.

Tafa will be looking to get back in the win column after being on the wrong end of a controversial split decision against Carlos Felipe at UFC Fight Island 7 in January. According to MMA Decisions, 16 of 20 media members scored the fight for Tafa. “Bad Man” earned his first UFC victory at UFC 247 in February 2020 with a first-round TKO win over Juan Adams.

Vanderaa makes his sophomore octagon appearance after a second-round TKO loss to Sergey Spivak at UFC Vegas 19 in February. “The Mountain” earned a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series this past summer with a first-round stoppage of Harry Hunsucker in November.

The UFC’s May 22 event will also feature a pivotal strawweight matchup between Yan Xiaonan and Carla Esparza.