Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Rodolfo Vieira is expected to face Wellington Turman at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event on Jan. 22, multiple people with knowledge of the booking told MMA Fighting.
Vieira (8-1) won two of three fights inside the octagon since 2020, most recently a bonus-winning submission over Dustin Stoltzfus in July.
Vieira is one of the most decorated grapplers to ever make the jump to MMA, winning five jiu-jitsu world championships and an ADCC gold medal as a black belt.
Turman (17-5), who is more experienced than Vieira in MMA, won a split decision over Sam Alvey in August, snapping an uncomfortable two-fight skid in bouts against Bruno Silva and Andrew Sanchez.
“The Prodigy” currently holds a 2-3 record under the bright lights of the UFC.
UFC 270 airs live on pay-per-view at a location to be confirmed. The company has yet to announce the headlining attraction, but the card will feature Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson and Greg Hardy vs. Aleksei Oleinik.