Bantamweights Raphael Assuncao, Bryan Caraway to Meet at UFC Fight Night in Halifax

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Bantamweight No. 1 contender-in-waiting Raphael Assuncao will have to win at least one more time to earn a shot at UFC gold.

The promotion announced on Wednesday that Assuncao will square off with Bryan Caraway at UFC Fight Night "MacDonald vs. Saffiedine." In addition, a women’s strawweight clash between Kailin Curran and Paige VanZant has been added to the Oct. 4 card, which takes place at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and is headlined by a welterweight clash between Rory MacDonald and Tarec Saffiedine.

Assuncao enters the matchup riding a six-fight winning streak, including a noteworthy split verdict over current titleholder T.J. Dillashaw last October. Most recently, the 32-year-old Brazilian captured a unanimous decision triumph over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 170. The victory was expected to earn Assuncao a shot at then champion Renan Barao.

However, when Assuncao was not ready to compete at UFC 173 due to injury, Dillashaw took his place and stopped Barao in the fifth round of their May 24 title clash. Dillashaw will face Barao in a rematch at UFC 177 on Aug. 30.

Caraway, meanwhile, has been victorious in four of five Octagon appearances, with his only defeat during that time coming via controversial split decision against Takeya Mizugaki at UFC on Fuel TV 8. “Kid Lightning” last competed at UFC Fight Night “Henderson vs. Khabilov” on June 7, where he submitted Erik Perez with a rear-naked choke 1:52 into round two.