Report: Alexey Oleynik Meets Maurice Greene at UFC 246 in January

I sign contract for my next fight. It’s done, ready to work
Подписал контракт на мой следующий бой, начинаем пахать.@FirstRoundMgmt @Abraham_kawa @zitopartners @UFCRussia @ETFMG_CEO @ETFMG @zitopartners#ufc #fight #warrior #oldschool #oleynik #oleynikchoke #etfmg $MJ #мма pic.twitter.com/vpt5vwlf1c

— Alexey Oleynik (@oleynikufc) November 20, 2019

Two heavyweights who prefer the submission game are coming head-to-head for the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event of the year at UFC 246.

The news was first reported by MMA Junkie on Friday, which stated that Alexey Oleynik (57-13-1) will collide with Maurice Greene (8-3) at UFC 246 in January. The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and it does not yet have a headliner. Former two-division champ Conor McGregor has marked that date on his calendar, and a bout against Donald Cerrone is still being discussed to serve as the main attraction.

Oleynik has dropped each of his last two bouts in 2019 by first-round knockout to Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. The loss to Harris came in 12 seconds, marking it as the third-quickest finish in UFC heavyweight history. The proud owner of 45 submission wins, he holds more tapouts by his famed Ezekiel choke (12) than Greene holds in total bouts (11). Throughout his 23-year career, "The Boa Constrictor" has finished opponents including Mirko Filipovic, Mark Hunt, Travis Browne and Jared Rosholt. Oleynik is currently the most experienced fighter on the UFC's active roster with 71 career fights.

Greene made his big break on "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 28, where he made it to the semifinals before losing to eventual winner Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa. While Espino has not competed since winning at the TUF 28 Finale in 2018, Greene has already competed three more times since making his victorious promotional debut against Michel Batista. Taking a split decision over former Legacy Fighting Alliance foe Jeff Hughes, "The Crochet Boss" went on to knock out Junior Albini in June. Most recently, he was handed his first career stoppage loss when Sergei Pavlovich finished him with punches in just over two minutes this October.

UFC 245 will take place on Jan. 18 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event does not currently have a headliner, but major flyweight tilt between rising star Maycee Barber and longtime veteran Roxanne Modafferi is booked for the card.