Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Hernandez Targeted for UFC 249 in Brooklyn

A lightweight clash between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Hernandez is in the works for UFC 249.

According to MMAjunkie.com, the two athletes have verbally agreed to square off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 18. The Las Vegas-based promotion has yet to officially announce the bout. UFC 249 is headlined by a lightweight title tilt between reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

The 28-year-old Makhachev has been victorious in seven of his eight UFC appearances thus far. Most recently, the Dagestani fighter outpointed renowned grappler Davi Ramos at UFC 242 on Sept. 7. The former M-1 Challenge competitor owns an 18-1 career mark that includes three triumphs by KO/TKO, seven by submission and eight via decision.

Hernandez, meanwhile, is 3-1 during his promotional tenure, with his lone setback coming at the hands of Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 143. In his last outing, the 27-year-old Texan took a contentious unanimous verdict over Francisco Trinaldo at UFC on ESPN 4.