UFC 219: Dominick Cruz to return one year after losing title to Cody Garbrandt

Exactly one year to the date of losing his bantamweight title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207, two-time UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (22-2) will return to the scene of the upset to take on the surging Jimmie Rivera (21-1).

UFC officials announced this matchup just moments ago via social media along with a women’s strawweight bout between another former champ in Carla Esparza (12-4) and Cynthia Calvillo (6-0). This are the first two fights to be announced for UFC 219, the promotions annual Las Vegas year-end PPV card.

A women’s featherweight title bout between ‘Cris’ Cyborg and Holly Holm is currently rumored to headline the card. A trilogy bout between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz for the lightweight title has also been rumored despite UFC President Dana White’s insistence that the fight will not take place on this card.