A flyweight matchup between Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners is heading to the octagon this fall.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a fight between Jake Hadley and Carlos Candelario is being targeted for the UFC’s event on Nov. 5, which is expected to take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Contracts are expected to be issued shortly after verbal agreements have been reached.
Hadley will look to bounce back from his first pro loss in his octagon debut at May’s UFC Vegas 54 event where he dropped a unanimous decision to Allan Nascimento. In October 2021, the former Cage Warriors flyweight champion won a contract with a submission victory at DWCS Season 5, week 7. He defeated Mitch Raposo to become the first fighter in DWCS’ history to be awarded a UFC contract despite not being able.
Candelario will also be looking for his first octagon victory after dropping a decision to Tatsuro Taira on that same UFC Vegas 54 event. His promotional contract was signed on the fifth season in historic fashion by “The Cannon”, who won his fight against Victor Altamirano in a split decision. White believed that Candelario had won the fight.
