Report: Santos-Teixeira expected to headline UFC's Nov. 7 card
Thiago Santos versus Glover Teixeira is in the process of being rescheduled for the third time.
The UFC has nearly finalized the light heavyweight bout for the main event of its Nov. 7 Fight Night card, sources told ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
Santos-Teixeira was originally set as the Sept. 12 main event in Las Vegas, but the latter tested positive for the coronavirus. The fight was rebooked for Oct. 3 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, but once again called off after Santos tested positive for COVID-19.
Santos hasn't stepped into the Octagon since challenging Jon Jones for the 205-pound title at UFC 239 in July 2019; he suffered a serious knee injury in the contest. Santos had won four straight bouts heading into the Jones fight, including finishes of Jan Blachowicz and Jimi Manuwa.
Teixeira, also a former title challenger, is riding a four-fight winning streak. The 40-year-old most recently dominated Anthony Smith en route to a fifth-round TKO in May.
Santos is the second-ranked light heavyweight, and Teixeira sits at No. 4. With Jones relinquishing his title and leaving the division in August, there will be major title implications in the Santos-Teixeira fight. The winner could possibly go on to face the winner of Dominick Reyes versus Blachowicz, the vacant title bout set for UFC 253 on Saturday.
UFC Fight Night will reportedly likely take place in Las Vegas, though a location has not yet been confirmed.