LAS VEGAS – UFC returns to UFC APEX with a marquee matchup in the middleweight division, as No. 3-ranked contender Marvin Vettori collides with No. 4 Jared Cannonier. Also on the card, No. 8-ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan battles Brazilian finisher Joaquim Silva.

“UFC on ESPN 46: Vettori vs. Cannonier” will take place Saturday, June 17 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ starting at 10 p.m. ET. The prelims will be available on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Vettori (19-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) looks to build another win streak and earn his way back into the title conversation. Among the toughest matchups at middleweight, he holds victories over Paulo Costa, Roman Dolidze and Jack Hermansson. Vettori now aims to defend his spot in the rankings by becoming the first middleweight to stop Cannonier.

Former heavyweight and light heavyweight Cannonier (16-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) plans to start his 2023 campaign with another statement performance. Known for his knockout power, Cannonier climbed to the top 5 with notable finishes of Anderson Silva, Derek Brunson and Hermansson. He now seeks to cement his place in line for the belt by taking out Vettori in dominant fashion.

Tsarukyan (19-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) returns to action determined to prove why he is considered a top contender in the lightweight division. After bursting onto the UFC scene with an impressive performance against Islam Makhachev, Tsarukyan earned wins over Damir Ismagulov, Joel Alvarez and Christos Giagos. He now intends to earn a quick victory over Silva and turn his attention to the top of the division.

Silva (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has his sights set on making the most of the biggest opportunity of his MMA career. A well-rounded finisher, he has delivered highlight reel stoppages against Jared Gordon, Jesse Ronson and Andrew Holbrook. Silva now looks to shock the world and break into the rankings for the first time.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• An exciting middleweight bout sees Armen Petrosyan (7-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) match up against Christian Leroy Duncan (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

• Raoni Barcelos (17-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) meets Miles Johns (13-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) in an intriguing bantamweight bout

• Manuel Torres (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) battles Nikolas Motta (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at lightweight

• Pat Sabatini (17-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) looks to secure another signature submission against Lucas Almeida (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at featherweight

• “The Ultimate Fighter” season 30 finalist Zac Pauga (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Modestas Bukauskas (14-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC) compete in a light heavyweight tilt

• Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-8 MMA, 1-5 UFC) aims to spoil the UFC debut of Felipe Bunes (13-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

• Flyweights Jimmy Flick (16-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Alessandro Costa (12-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) plan to steal the show

• Welterweight strikers collide as Nicolas Dalby (21-4-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) faces Muslim Salikhov (19-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC)

• Carlos Hernandez (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) locks horns with Denys Bondar (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at flyweight

• A tough bantamweight contest sees Dan Argueta (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) take on Ronnie Lawrence (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)

• Kyung Ho Kang (18-9 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Cristian Quinonez (18-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meet at bantamweight

• Tereza Bleda (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Gabriella Fernandes (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) vie for their first UFC wins at flyweight