Alcantara-Rivera, Makashvili-Jackson Added to UFC on Fox 18 Lineup

The fight card for UFC on Fox 18 continues to grow, as the promotion announced on Wednesday that Iuri Alcantara will face Jimmie Rivera at bantamweight and Levan Makashvili will meet Damon Jackson at featherweight on Jan. 30.

UFC on Fox 18 takes place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and is headlined by a key light heavyweight clash between Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader. The evening’s main card airs on the Fox Network.

Alcantara, 35, has won four of his last five bouts in the Octagon. Most recently, the Brazilian took a unanimous verdict over Leandro Issa at UFC 190 in August. Rivera, meanwhile, will carry a 17-fight winning streak into the match, including triumphs against Pedro Munhoz and Marcus Brimage in UFC competition.

Makashvili went 1-1 in 2015, earning a split-decision triumph over Mark Eddiva at UFC Fight Night “Edgar vs. Faber” in April before dropping a split verdict to Hacran Dias this past June. After beginning his professional career with nine straight victories, Jackson is still looking for his first Octagon win. A recent loss to Rony Mariano Bezerra was changed to a no contest when the Brazilian tested positive for a diuretic after the bout.

In addition to those new contests, the Las Vegas-based promotion also revealed that Joaquim Silva is injured, and Olivier Aubin-Mercier will now lock horns with Carlos Diego Ferreira in a lightweight tilt at UFC on Fox 18.