The UFC is actively discussing a lightweight bout between Justin Gaethje and Edson Barboza for UFC Fight Night on March 30 in Philadelphia, according to multiple sources.
The potential 155-pound matchup is not a done deal, however all parties are interested. If finalized, the bout would take place at Wells Fargo Center and air on ESPN.
Gaethje (19-2) is coming off a first-round knockout win against James Vick in August. He told ESPN last week he expected to fight Barboza next, but his first choice in opponent would be Al Iaquinta.
A former World Series of Fighting champion, Gaethje is 2-2 since joining the UFC in 2017.
Barboza (20-6) defeated Dan Hooker via knockout last month. The Brazilian lightweight is 1-2 in his past two fights, however the losses came against high-profile competition in Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee.
The UFC has already confirmed a strawweight bout between Michelle Waterson and Karolina Kowalkiewicz as the co-main event for the Philadelphia event.