LAS VEGAS – UFC returns to UFC Apex with a must-watch lightweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 7-ranked Rafael dos Anjos battle No. 10 Rafael Fiziev. The co-main event will feature a clash of Dana White’s Contender Series signees when Caio Borralho faces Armen Petrosyan at middleweight.

“UFC on ESPN 39: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev” will take place Saturday, July 9 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. All bouts will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+. The main card will begin at 9 p.m. ET. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET.

Former champion dos Anjos (31-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC) returned to 155 pounds from the welterweight division with a “Fight of the Night” win over Paul Felder in late 2020. Throughout his UFC run, he has also delivered memorable victories over Nate Diaz and Robbie Lawler, as well as Anthony Pettis to win the belt in 2015. Dos Anjos now aims to stop Fiziev’s momentum and continue his climb back to a lightweight title shot. 

Rising contender Fiziev (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has wasted no time dazzling fans with his diverse striking arsenal. Currently riding a five-fight win streak, he holds spectacular wins over Brad Riddell, Bobby Green and Renato Moicano. Fiziev now has his sights set on finishing his first former UFC champion to crack the lightweight top 10.

Borralho (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) earned his spot on the UFC roster with victories over Aaron Jeffery and Jesse Murray on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt then made a successful UFC debut by earning a hard-fought win against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev in April. Borralho now aims to push his unbeaten streak to 12 bouts by stopping Petrosyan.

Petrosyan (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) impressed on Dana White’s Contender Series with a first-round KO victory over Kaloyan Kolev last October. The talented kickboxer then announced his arrival with an entertaining win against Gregory Rodrigues in February. Petrosyan now intends to become the first fighter to finish Borralho by securing another highlight-reel KO.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Douglas Silva (28-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) takes on Said Nurmagomedov (15-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in an intriguing bantamweight matchup.

• Jamie Pickett (13-7 MMA, 2-3 UFC) faces Denis Tiuliulin (10-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at middleweight.

• A heavyweight bout sees Jared Vanderaa (12-8 MMA, 1-4 UFC) take on the always exciting Chase Sherman (15-10 MMA, 3-9 UFC).

• Michael Johnson (20-17 MMA, 12-13 UFC) battles Jamie Mullarkey (14-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in an exciting lightweight bout.

• No. 10 ranked flyweight contender Cynthia Calvillo (9-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) looks to spoil the UFC 125-pound debut of No. 7 ranked strawweight contender Nina Nunes (10-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC).

• Aiemann Zahabi (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) returns against “The Ultimate Fighter” season 29 winner Ricky Turcios (11-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a bantamweight bout.

• Antonina Shevchenko (9-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) squares off with Cortney Casey (10-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) at flyweight.

• Cody Brundage (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) takes on Tresean Gore (3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a battle of promising middleweight prospects.

• Kennedy Nzechukwu (9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) faces Karl Roberson (9-5 MMA, 4-5 UFC) at light heavyweight

• Rising bantamweight prospects collide when Ronnie Lawrence (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meets Saidyokub Kakhramonov (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC).